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Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) suffers possible stroke(Update Spokesman says NO stroke)
MSNBC

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.


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; US: South Dakota
KEYWORDS: congress; senate; timjohnson
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To: leadpenny

If it was serious, wouldn't they know it was a stroke by now?


381 posted on 12/13/2006 3:18:36 PM PST by Democratshavenobrains
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE
And by caving to pressure to threaten filibusters, they (the repubbies) gave up power....so true. :/
382 posted on 12/13/2006 3:18:41 PM PST by skinkinthegrass (Just b/c your paranoid; Doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you. :^)
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To: CT-Freeper

Yep, she's a "Blue Dog" and NOT gay.


383 posted on 12/13/2006 3:19:15 PM PST by Rushmore Rocks
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To: KC_Conspirator

Yes, it is what they would suggest. And it was a silly idea. DC has no room for real bipartisanship. I don't see any reason to play by the DNC rules.


384 posted on 12/13/2006 3:19:57 PM PST by ilovew (I'm thankful to PFC Mike Adams who died in Iraq three years ago...I'll never forget you, Mike.)
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To: BigEdLB

I hope the senator recovers quickly and decides to spend quality time back in South Dakota with his friends and family giving up his position. That would seem as honorable and graceful an exit as politicians get.


385 posted on 12/13/2006 3:20:34 PM PST by ME-262 (The Democrat party is slowly reduced by Abortion, AIDS, Imprisonment, and China's one child policy.)
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To: laxcoach
A couple of years ago, when Georgia had a Dem governor...

In 1991, when Sen. John Heinz, R-PA, died in an airplane crash, Democratic Governor Bob Casey, Sr. replaced him with Democrat, Harris Wofford.

It was interesting that Republicans were starting to pressure Gov. Casey to appoint John Heinz's wife, Teresa Heinz (now Teresa Heinz-Kerry), but she said no.

The real question is when do governors ever appoint someone not of thier own party to fill a vacated Senatorial seat?

386 posted on 12/13/2006 3:20:43 PM PST by delacoert
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To: leadpenny
Just like the soon-to-be majority leader Harry Reid, who also suffered a stroke. And the LameStream Media will, for the most part, ignore it.

But every time Dick Cheney farts, it is a news event.

387 posted on 12/13/2006 3:21:13 PM PST by Recovering_Democrat (I am SO glad to no longer be associated with the party of Dependence on Government!)
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To: leadpenny

All's fair in love, war, and politics. This is Heinz and Coverdale in reverse; say all the nice things you want about Zell Miller, but he still caucused with the Dems and could not be persuaded to come over to the right side after Jeffords defected. I say best wishes to you Senator Johnson (D-SD) as you live the rest of your life in a convalescent home. Rounds appoints an R for two years, and Cheney breaks all ties. Sounds harsh, that's life - or the end of it.


388 posted on 12/13/2006 3:22:14 PM PST by Rep-for-real
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To: delacoert

The left will go nuts and scream that constitutional constructs dont apply here because the people have spoken!! Unfortuately they will ultimately win because our "leaders" on the right will never fight them for what would be ours.


389 posted on 12/13/2006 3:22:51 PM PST by samadams2000 (Someone important make......The Call!)
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To: leadpenny

Thoughts and prayers sent his way.


390 posted on 12/13/2006 3:27:28 PM PST by ConservativeStatement
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To: samadams2000
The funny thing is, the people should never have spoken.

The power of a Governor to appoint an elected Senator is a hold-over from pre-17th amendment days.

It must have been an oversight by the drafters of that amendment. If they changed the Constitutional appointment of a Senator to an election of a Senator, why didn't they change the vacancy Constitutional appointment to a vacancy special election to be in line with vacancies in the House?

-PJ

391 posted on 12/13/2006 3:28:30 PM PST by Political Junkie Too (It's still not safe to vote Democrat.)
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To: leadpenny
Here's to a quick recovery.

If he isn't able to serve, I hope he doesn't cling to power at the possible expense of his health.

392 posted on 12/13/2006 3:29:21 PM PST by newzjunkey (Prepare Now! - Coming 1-20-09, President Rodham. Gee Thanks W!)
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To: leadpenny

Prayers for a speedy and full recovery.


393 posted on 12/13/2006 3:30:32 PM PST by mware (By all that you hold dear... on this good earth... I bid you stand! Men of the West!)
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To: leadpenny

Prayers for his full recovery.


394 posted on 12/13/2006 3:30:49 PM PST by SmoothTalker
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To: ConservativeMind

ummm no, it would not be a "win".


395 posted on 12/13/2006 3:32:31 PM PST by TeleStraightShooter (The Right To Take Life is NOT a Constitutional "Liberty" protected by the 14th Amendment)
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To: samadams2000
If the Dems gain control of the Senate and the House they will have nobody to blame but themselves for the gridlock pork and corruption in DC. However if Republicans retain control of the Senate then it will still be all our fault that nothings getting done. So either way this goes there is something in it for both sides.
396 posted on 12/13/2006 3:33:16 PM PST by ME-262 (The Democrat party is slowly reduced by Abortion, AIDS, Imprisonment, and China's one child policy.)
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To: leadpenny
No way the RATs will let Tim Johnson fail to serve in the Senate. Even if they have to prop him up like Capt. Christopher Pike of the old Enterprise, with nothing but flashing lights to indicate yes or no, they will do so. The RATs will do anything to seize and hold power.


397 posted on 12/13/2006 3:33:23 PM PST by montag813
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To: leadpenny
Docs know a lot more about how to treat strokes now than they did even a decade ago.

Prayers for Sen. Johnson and his family.

398 posted on 12/13/2006 3:33:49 PM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
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To: rintense

The Libs can kiss the SD Governor's butt if they start demanding jack. Johnson barely won when he was elected. As they are so fond of saying about Bush, there was no MANDATE for him. lol


399 posted on 12/13/2006 3:38:03 PM PST by Democratshavenobrains
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To: All

Be nice, or I swear I will turn this thread around.


400 posted on 12/13/2006 3:38:17 PM PST by Lunatic Fringe (Say "NO" to the Trans-Texas Corridor)
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