D's could lose the senate

[strandinthewind]

Staff: Senator hospitalized with stroke-like symptoms

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, was hospitalized Wednesday after he suffered stroke-like symptoms in his Washington office, his staff said.

Johnson, 59, was taken to George Washington University Hospital by ambulance about 11:30 a.m., sources in his office said.

A statement issued by Johnson's office said he was suffering from a "possible stroke."

"At this stage he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," the statement said. Staffers said that Johnson was conscious when he was transported to the hospital.

Should Johnson not be able to complete his term, which ends in 2008, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, could appoint his replacement, which could shift the balance of power in the Senate.

Johnson battled prostate cancer in 2004, and after surgery, tests showed he no longer had the disease, according to his Web site.

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/...oke/index.html

[Rickypt]

Whoa. Wishing him well.

[SuzeQuze]

Oh crap, I hope he is okay.

[gldstwmn]

He's reportedly left the hospital and the prognosis is good. So here's to Senator Johnson's health.
Meanwhile in a surprise upset in a runoff election, the D's have picked up another House seat in Texas.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

He's reportedly left the hospital and the prognosis is good. So here's to Senator Johnson's health.
Meanwhile in a surprise upset in a runoff election, the D's have picked up another House seat in Texas.

Thank GAWD for that, and Thanks a HEAP Jason for almost costing me my dinner!

Hope Senator Johnson recovers nicely thank you very much.

Isnt there also a possible runoff in Florida coming up? or elsewhere?

[PsychCat]

This is just how sad politics have gotten in this country. A man possibly has a stroke and all anyone can think about is how it will effect the balance of the Senate??
What about the balance of the man's family??
The coverage of this has been sick and warped.... but it's just another example of the true state of the union. Disturbing, indeed.

Note: This is not a commentary on strandinthewind who started the thread. I'm glad it was along with the other current events we discuss around here. Just wanted to make that clear! Besides, strandinthewind has one of my all-time fave avatars.

[DavidMn]

Allright, I've talkked to a couple people in PM's who seem convinced that the Governor would appoinnt a Republican to fill the seat. Maybe I'm totally naive, but I would think the public backlash against the Republicans nationally that would result from this would be the last theing theyd want right now.

[DrummerDeanna]

^^

Yes, I have no question the governor would appoint a Republican...that's the way the game is played...but the questions you brought up in your first post totally went through my mind as well --the possibility that he'd go with the majority and appoint a Dem - I just don't think that would happen...

Politics aside - I do hope he makes a full recovery!

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

^^

Yes, I have no question the governor would appoint a Republican...that's the way the game is played...but the questions you brought up in your first post totally went through my mind as well --the possibility that he'd go with the majority and appoint a Dem - I just don't think that would happen...

Politics aside - I do hope he makes a full recovery!

Well, the good news is that there was a statement that siad the surgery was sucessful.

[gldstwmn]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121400379.html

Democratic Sen. Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 15, 2006; Page A01

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was in stable condition yesterday after emergency brain surgery, prompting optimism among family and friends and at least temporarily stanching speculation that the Democrats' narrow control of the next Senate might be in jeopardy.

But Capitol aides predicted tough negotiations between the two parties early next month over the rules for organizing the new Senate, particularly those that would address the possibility that a Democratic seat could be vacated because of illness or death.

Even if Johnson recuperates fully, aides and advisers said, Democrats will be painfully aware that they remain one fatal illness -- or one party switch -- away from a Republican claim on their majority, which has stood at 51 to 49 since the Nov. 7 elections. The two parties may clash in particular over an agreement made in 2001 that enabled Democrats to seize the majority after one Republican senator switched parties. Republicans are likely to try to revive the precedent, according to the congressional aides, and Democrats are likely to fight it.

Johnson, 59, was rushed from his Senate office to George Washington University Hospital on Wednesday, suffering from bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital tangle of blood vessels, the U.S. Capitol physician said yesterday.

"He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation," said the physician, Adm. John Eisold. He later said that Johnson "has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Specifically, he has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required."

Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and former party leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) visited Johnson at the hospital Wednesday and yesterday. Reid later told reporters at the Capitol that Johnson "really looks good" and was receiving "the best care." He declined to say whether Johnson was conscious during his visits.

Click the link for the full article.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121400379.html

Democratic Sen. Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 15, 2006; Page A01

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was in stable condition yesterday after emergency brain surgery, prompting optimism among family and friends and at least temporarily stanching speculation that the Democrats' narrow control of the next Senate might be in jeopardy.

But Capitol aides predicted tough negotiations between the two parties early next month over the rules for organizing the new Senate, particularly those that would address the possibility that a Democratic seat could be vacated because of illness or death.

Even if Johnson recuperates fully, aides and advisers said, Democrats will be painfully aware that they remain one fatal illness -- or one party switch -- away from a Republican claim on their majority, which has stood at 51 to 49 since the Nov. 7 elections. The two parties may clash in particular over an agreement made in 2001 that enabled Democrats to seize the majority after one Republican senator switched parties. Republicans are likely to try to revive the precedent, according to the congressional aides, and Democrats are likely to fight it.

Johnson, 59, was rushed from his Senate office to George Washington University Hospital on Wednesday, suffering from bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital tangle of blood vessels, the U.S. Capitol physician said yesterday.

"He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation," said the physician, Adm. John Eisold. He later said that Johnson "has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Specifically, he has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required."

Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and former party leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) visited Johnson at the hospital Wednesday and yesterday. Reid later told reporters at the Capitol that Johnson "really looks good" and was receiving "the best care." He declined to say whether Johnson was conscious during his visits.

Click the link for the full article.

congenital? he was born that way? whoa.....

anyway, I pray for his continued speedy recovery.