[Non-Sequitur]

And at some point it will become fair to ask if he can debate his Republican challenger. If not, then the situation becomes a reprise of the election of the widow Carnahan in MO back in 2000 . . . a Senator elected on a sympathy vote.

And that should be the real fear. South Dakota returning Johnson back to office in recognition of his heart-rendering fight against all odds, struggling back from the brink of death to continue serving the people of South Dakota, blah, blah, blah. I'm sorry but announcing that you're running against the incumbent Senator from South Dakota is not kicking a man when he's down. And any opponent could run a clean and honest campaign questioning Johnson's votes and positions without even bringing his health into the picture. The GOP needs to get off their ass and unite behind a single candidate early.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

any opponent could run a clean and honest campaign questioning Johnson's votes and positions without even bringing his health into the picture.

Sure - just run against the Democratic majority in the Senate, since keeping the Senate majority in Democratic hands is the primary if not the only effect Senator Johnson currently has. The only reasonable approach is to nationalize the election, since Johnson - due to illness - can't have a whole lot of effect on local matters.