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.
Depending on how serious, given a 6 months to year recovery, how does a 99 vote senate proceed? Does the VP make a difference?
Wow, Sen. Johnson is only 60, that isn't good.
Anyhow, personally, I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.
Politically, I can't help but wonder what impact this will have. Unless the stroke is so bad that he is physically unable to do his job, I'm imagining he'll hang on till the end of his term, but it'll make it much more likely that he'll retire in 2008. If that's the case, that might actually be bad for Republicans, because I think Johnson is easier to beat then Herseth would be.
Exactly. You know if the situation was reversed the denizens of DU would be popping champaign and starting a death watch. They've done it before.
As I recall, he barely beat Thune, and that was only because of some fraudulent votes from the Indian reservations.
ruh-roh
Prayers for Sen. Johnson
Well, it is on everyone's mind, God forgive us.
Thanks for putting this in BN. Reid, Scarborough and Buchanan speculating now.
Yes, bipartisanship, and stupidity. Do you think a Dem would do such a nutty thing? It's one thing to make a meaningless political gesture, but this is about political power, and who will be sitting on the Supreme Court, among many other things.
Is it okay if I wish him well, but unable to continue as Senator?
Kit Bond's son is a Marine and McCain has one at Annapolis and one in the Marines.
I hope he recovers completely,(strokes sent my mom to her special place, then sent her away) That's true, but since the Dems idea of Bipartasinship is: "Do it our way" it would bejust desserts for their past behavior.
I wish Sen. Johnson a speedy and full recovery.
That said, then-Governor Zell Miller (D) of Georgia appointed a donkey to replace Sen. Paul Coverdell (R) upon his death a few years ago. The precident is there.
Here's hoping he makes a full recovery. Strokes are nasty things.
"It would show a great deal of bipartisanship if he would appoint a democrat and not tip the balance of power as a result of a horrible tragedy."
With all due respect, are you mad?!
No - the actions of the governor...
webb. And that's between him and his boy.
Bummer ... hope he's able to recover.
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