Posted on 12/13/2006 12:46:10 PM PST by leadpenny
Edited on 12/13/2006 2:04:33 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://capwiz.com/c-span/bio/?id=537&lvl=C&chamber=S
Sen. Johnson suffers possible stroke
12/13/2006, 4:53 p.m. ET
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota suffered a possible stroke Wednesday and was taken to a Washington hospital, his office said.
Johnson became disoriented during a call with reporters at midday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover, asking if there were any additional questions before ending the call.
If he should be unable to continue to serve, it could halt the scheduled Democratic takeover of the Senate. Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election. South Dakota's governor, who would appoint any temporary replacement, is a Republican.
Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he had walked back to his Capitol office after the call with reporters but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it decided he needed to go to the hospital.
He was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital around noon, Fisher said.
"It was caught very early," she said.
Johnson's office released a statement saying he had suffered a possible stroke.
"At this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," the statement read.
The White House issued a statement wishing him a speedy recovery.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family," said spokesman Alex Conant.
If the two-term senator, 59, is unable to serve when the 110th Congress convenes Jan. 4, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds would appoint a replacement. Johnson had surgery for prostate cancer in 2004. He is up for re-election in 2008.
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there are no special restrictions on such an appointment and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.
Johnson turns 60 on Dec. 28. The centrist Democrat was elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been one of the more reserved members of the chamber, rarely taking center stage at news conferences.
He served in the House for 10 years from 1987 to 1997. His focus has been on committee assignments important to his state's interests — Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources — as well as a spot on Appropriations. The latter allows him to direct funds to South Dakota.
Johnson has worked as a lawyer and county prosecutor and served several years in the 1970s and 1980s in the South Dakota state Legislature.
no further
Whoa he is not that old..
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
I hope he recovers - still, while trying not to be ghoulish and tacky, what party is the governor of SD (who would appoint his replacement)?
prayers
Prayers for his recovery.
Remember people, lets behave ourselves. He's a fellow human being and a generally unoffensive guy.
Very sad.
Prayers for his recovery, and that he'll decide to retire from the Senate.
God bless him. Hope he's okay.
Reed brought that up. GOP Gov. Could tip the balance back in the Senate. He apologized for speculating.
Exactly we aren't those knuckleheads over at DU..
The governor of South Dakota is Republican Mike Rounds who I'm sure wishes Senator Johnson a full recovery, along with all of us.
Governor Mike Rounds is a Republican. If the senator dies, or has to step down for health reasons, it would give the Senate back to the pachyderms.
Gov. Rounds is an (R).
Excellent advice.
To spend more time with his family.
I will add my prayers and hopes that he fully recovers. And that he returns home to his family who needs him more than Harry Reid does.
60 on the 28th.
(R).....
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