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.
I only know of Dick Durbin of Illinois using that reference.
If Johnson doesn't recover, who is a good Republican candidate to replace him?
Are you nuts or just a Democrat ? Oh wait, that's the same thing.
McCain's son is in the Marine Corps, as is future President Hunter's son. But your implication is correct; it is pathetic how few of the sons of our leaders in both parties are man-enough to serve their country in uniform.
Screw bipartisanship. Appoint a republican.
It would not be without precedent for a Gov. to appoint a replacement with someone from his own party when the person being replaced was of the opposite party.
I wish nothing but the best for Sen. Johnson and his family.
I'm sorry, but I feel the same way. Why should I care about Tim Johnson specifically anyway? There's basic human compassion, but people have strokes everyday.
I don't know the man. I don't know his family. To me, he's D-SD. I hope he does make a full recovery, out of basic human compassion; but there isn't anything I can do, one way or the other, to change that so I want to know about the politics of it all.
They'll have to do several tests to determine if he had a stroke, and then the next question is how much damage it did. Some strokes are mild and some are horrific & life changing - it's scary business. We probably won't hear anything more today.
Prayers for Mr Johnson's family.
I will not give a blanket statement as to prayers for any Dem who suffered a debilitating injury. There are many who seek to undermine our Republic and can only get what they deserve.
The special election to fill the vacancy of a senator shall be held at the same time as the next general election. The general election laws shall apply unless inconsistent with this chapter.Even if the Governor appoints a Republican, it would only last until the next general election. However, the SD SOS website shows the next general election to be in 2008, which would be when Johnson's term expires anyway.
Source: SL 1979, ch 99, § 2.
-PJ
The runner up in the election should replace him.
He "just happens" to be a Democrat ???
How does that "just happen" ?
Were Gov. Rounds to ask me for my advice, I would recommend Bruce Whalen, a Republican Oglala Sioux who ran against Stephanie Herseth (D) for SD House in the last election. He lost the election, but is a good guy. Solid Native American conservative...........but Stephanie is much prettier.
Well, technically, he isn't a Senator yet.
anyone will do.
That being said, I hope he doesn't die and recovers quickly.
The runner up was John Thune. He defeated Tom Daschle the next election, and is already a Sen.
The bipartisan gesture would be to nominate an (R) placeholder, someone who wouldn't run again, but who would hold the seat until the special election.
Latest from Drudge:
REPORTS: Sen. Tim Johnson (D, SD) has had an 'apparent stroke'... NBC Affiliate in Boston: 'If he were to die or resign, he could potentially create a tie between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. That is because South Dakota's governor would be able to appoint a replacement for Johnson and he is likely to be a fellow Republican.' Developing...
He told Pat Robertson and Hannity that he became a Christian.
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