Ailing Johnson hires top campaign strategist

Sioux City Journal ^ | 7/27/07

[Obadiah]

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota is still recovering from a December brain hemorrhage, but his office appears to be beefing up his staff for a 2008 re-election campaign.

Drey Samuelson, Johnson's chief of staff, said Wednesday that the office has hired Steve Jarding as deputy chief of staff. Jarding, who will work for the senator's congressional office in Rapid City, S.D., is a veteran political consultant who served as a top strategist for James Webb, the Virginia Democrat who upset Republican Sen. George Allen last November.

[AnAmericanMother]

Has he actually been VOTING? I thought you had to be present to vote in the Senate. Surely if he had been present there would be a lot more talk about his physical and/or mental condition. . . . no way the gossip could have been squelched if his condition is as bad as it sounds.

I agree that if he were a Republican the media would have kept up a steady drumbeat for resignation. It's astounding to me that the media has been able to keep it under wraps as much as they have. These congenital blood vessel conditions that fail catastrophically do not generally end well.

[counterpunch]

following commands

That's all that is really required of a Democrat in Congress.

 

[webheart]

And if he were a Republican (given that the balance of the Senate hinges on him) we would have had nightly news stories on how he is NOT progressing, and the pressure would quickly mount for him to resign.

If he were a Republican, we would have nightly news stories about the poor quality of his life, and suggesting we do the humane thing and euthanize or pull out the feeding tube and let him enjoy a nice starvation.

[okie01]

I don't think Johnson has actually cast any votes in the Senate. He has to be physically present to do so.

South Dakota is, essentially, doing without full representation in the Senate.

[VOA]

Will this guy really get reelected? Would one not rather be at home to convalesce?

Being a Democrat, we probably how no idea of the PRESSURE that
his Democratic colleagues have place on him.
Even to stay at his post at great risk to his health.
Not to speak of his mortality.

[VOA]

Your graphic nails this issue.

I’ve “appropriated” that graphic for my hard-drive and labeled it
“Senator Tim Johnson 2008”

[CPT Clay]

“RedEarth” Johnson needs to go.

[MARTIAL MONK]

In 2000 Missouri elected a dead man over John Ashcroft.

[Eagle of Liberty]

How can someone who cannot fulfill his duties still be a Senator? And now the Rats have seen to it that he can run for re-election? There has to be some stipulation just like the President and VP have that if a Congressman is deemed unable to fulfill the duties, that Congressman should be temporarily replaced until that Congressman can resume duties or until the next election cycle.

[TNCMAXQ]

You’d think someone who came this close to death would want to retire and spend some time with family, especially at age 62. But I suppose he will get a sympathy vote this time and win again easily, though he opposes so much of what South Dakotans stand for.

Not to mention ‘08 is not shaping up to be a good Republican year, Heaven help us.

[rod1]

He will probably win relection aided by the votes of the previously interred. The RATS are pefectly happy to run his Senate office etc., without him. We shall if see the SD voters are equally satisfied with another six years of no representation.

[rod1]

Election at Bernie’s

[Eagle of Liberty]

He asked how he would debate and said, Timmy.

Sorry Senator Johnson, but ROFL!

[RJS1950]

He’s a democrat. He was brain dead when he was elected the first time, so what would be the difference be this time?

[counterpunch]

In 2000 Missouri elected a dead man over John Ashcroft.

And he was elected in much the same was as Johnson was:
F - R - A - U - D

 

[SuziQ]

Sure hope the Repubs can find someone good to run against him!

[South Dakota]

The pity vote will be part of it. I look for bad voting machine in Minnehaha county this time and free coats for all on the Indian reservations

[NeoCaveman]

That's my point! This guy is barely functional and he is somehowapparently voting in the Senate, and now running for reelection

As far as I've seen he has not been present or voting all year.

[EternalVigilance]

If Governor Rounds runs, it's over, IMO.

Anyone know what the word is on the street on this one?

[Obadiah]

LOL!!!