MSNBC Breaking: Tim Johnson (SD-D) Has "Apparent" Stroke. n/t

[Infinite Hope]

Update:
1)The Governor would select replacement
2)They don't know how serious it is, they speculate the nervousness surrounding it is merely fear.
3)It's only an "Apparent" stroke right now.

[villager]

1. Jesus h. Christ....

n/t

[Renew Deal]

2. I couldn't have said it better.

[Ha Ha Ha Oh Wow]

46. Science H Logic!

nt

[Radio_Lady]

141. Fig H. Newton (???)

:sarcasm:

[John Gauger]

149. Where's your God now?

Am I doing it right?

[Tellurian]

211. The Senator is doing alright..

"Admiral John Eisold, Attending Physician of the United States Capitol released a statement Thursday afternoon saying Thompson "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."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16199440/

[John Gauger]

213. I'm glad.

I thought I was continuing an inside joke with the 'Ha Ha Ha Oh Wow' guy, but I guess it was just an unbeleivably unlikely coincidence. In seriousness, this kind of thing can't be offerred up as evidence for or against God.

[Tellurian]

214. hmmm..

what kind of "thing" are you referring to?

[katty]

66. Johnson is picked to head: Ethics Committee

[John Gauger]

150. Wow.

I guess this does not qualify as evidence of a just God.

[9119495]

3. Should anything more unfortuante happen...

would they have an election or an appointment? I know he is up in '08. Would Daschel be brought back?

[suston96]

5. Is the Governor a Democrat?

[Renew Deal]

8. The governor is a republican

Boy oh boy

[feduppuke]

19. First: Let's hope he gets better...

Second: If he is unable to perform as a Senator, the Governor of SD would appoint a replacement until the next election.

It's hard to complain that this would throw the Senate (which it would), as we gained the same chamber through the appointment of Sen. Carnahan in 2001 (along with the defection of Jeffords).

[villager]

20. That was in light of a popular-vote loser being appointed to the White House

A GOP app't to a Democratic senate seat would be more evidence of thwarting the people's will

[Renew Deal]

21. What's the precedence on this?

[Virginia Dare]

26. Who decides if he's unable to perform?

Just out of curiosity, because I remember Jesse Helms and Strom Thurman being wheeled onto the Senate floor drooling and wearing diapers. I always wondered how that determination is made.

Please get better Senator!

[feduppuke]

64. Sheesh

Helms and Thurmond were idiots, but were hardly drooling and wearing diapers. States set the rules for determining inability to perform.

Let's just hope that the 'apparent stroke' is just apparent, and that Sen. Johnson is OK.

[trogdor]

Well, apparently a pulse is all you need in the Carolinas.

Both were barely functioning toward the end of their careers. This was during the Daschle period. I remember.

[Ned_Devine]

125. No, I'm pretty sure they were drooling and wearing diapers

haha! That's great

[Virginia Dare]

163. While I never saw Strom Thurmond in person...

I did see Jesse Helms, and yes, that's a pretty accurate description.

[Infinite Hope]

111. He does according to analysis on TV n/t

[feduppuke]

165. Link?

I doubt he 'does' since Thurmond died years ago.

[Virginia Dare]

168. He meant the Senator in question, in this case Johnson..n/t

[feduppuke]

183. AH

Sorry, I thought he was talking about Thurmond and/or Helms. No wonder it sounded odd :)

[Vanje]

181. years ago?

More like "year ago".

[Jokinomx]

121. ROTFL.....

drooling and wearing diapers.... heeheheh.... and then they got old...

:toast:

[Brazenly Liberal]

198. He does. He has to voluntarily resign. Can't be fired.

Even if he is completely incapacitated, he stays in office until he gets better or passes away.

There is a precedent, though I don't recall the details. It may have been in the thirties. A Senator who was completely incapacitated (due to stroke?) remained Senator for another 4 years.

[Brazenly Liberal]

200. Correction: It was 1969

Republican Karl Mundt suffered a stroke and was unable to do any of the actual work of the Senate. But he remained in office until 1973.

[beth9999]

201. Well, theoretically...

two thirds of the Senate can expel him for being unable to perform his duties. However, I don't see that happening.

[Brazenly Liberal]

204. 15 Senators have been expelled - none of them for being unable to perform

14 of them were charged with supporting the Confederacy. The 15th, William Blount (R-TN), was ousted in 1797 on charges of "Anti-Spanish conspiracy and treason."

So I agree with you. Given this history - and the fact that even if every Republican voted to expel, it would still require 17 Democrats - expulsion is just not likely to happen.

[beth9999]

205. Right...

... the point was that he can, in theory, be "fired" by his fellow Senators. In reality, however, it's not going to happen.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

29. Hey buddy- Mel Carnahan was elected

and because he was dead, the governor appropriately appointed his wife- as promised. So it's not as if the election was rigged in any way to reflect anything but the electorate's wish.
This is in no way comparable.

[Judi Lynn]

53. Thanks for pointing it out. Only the most determined would try to misrepresent the facts.

It most certainly isn't comparable.

[feduppuke]

65. Never said it was rigged or dishonest....

Just that it flipped control of the Senate. If the 'will of the people' argument held, one might remember that Jeffords was elected as a Republican, so their will was thwarted.

Not saying it wasn't a good thing that the Sen was switched (and it certainly didn't do it's job checking exec power when it did), but that there is a precedent.

[Benhurst]

77. Yeah, the will of the people of Vermont was really thwarted by Jeffords. From

what I gather, he was generally despised in Vermont for taking the U.S. Senate out of Trent Lott's hands. Sure he was.

[feduppuke]

82. Good Lord

The same logic applies to the people of SD, don't you think? While a very blue state elected a Republican, he left the party right after the election and (along with the MO Governor's appointment of Sen. Carnahan), flipped control of the Senate. Likewise, a very red state elected a Democrat who might be replaced with a Republican. It's not a great result, but I don't see how we can whine about the result.

[NYC Liberal]

99. Mel Carnahan was already a Democrat, and was elected

Jean Carnahan was appointed, and she was of the same party, therefore her appointment changed nothing.

[Ned_Devine]

136. Dude...what's with that pic?

[feduppuke]

182. Sorry, two different issues....

The elections to which I was referring were VT in 2000 (the blue state that elected a Repub), and SD in 2002 (a red state that elected a Dem).

[Benhurst]

100. No use whining. But we should get to work on those two harpies

in Maine, who make so much of their liberality.

[krispos42]

193. The person who challenged him in '02 beat Daschle in '04

So Gov. Rounds can't even dig the guy Johnson defeated (John Thune) up and appoint him. So... who's left? Daschle, but he's a Democrat. Dashle and Johnson go way way back, though.

Rounds might appoint ex-Governor, ex-Representative, and murderer Bill Janklow.

Bill Janklow won South Dakota's only House seat in 2002 when Rep. John Thune decided to challange Johnson for the Senate instead of running for re-election. About 8 months after being sworn in, Janklow and an aide were en route from one event to another a couple of hours away. Jankow, who is diabetic, was driving and had not eaten pretty much all day. At some point, while cruising the cornfields of Moody County, Jankow ran a stop sign at 70mph. Two motorcyclists were on the cross highway (who didn't have a stop sign, by the way, and Janklow's Cadillac cut through the gap between them. The rear motorcyclist, Randy Scott, plowed into the Caddy at highway speed and was killed.

Janklow was convicted of 2nd degree manslaughter. The judge, whom Janklow has appointed years ago, gave him 100 days in jail. That's right, not quite 4 months.

I personally thought Janklow should have gotten a lot longer than that. He had left the first event without eating because of a heckler who liked to follow Janklow around and Janklow didn't want to deal with him. The aide could have driven, or they could have stopped at any gas station along the way (nearly all of them have convience stores attached) and gotten something to eat. Hell, Janklow could have stayed in the car while the aide got some Twinkies or something. But he didn't, and a guy was killed. I thought five years would have been fair.

So now Janklow has his law licence back and is a lobbyist for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. So it would not surprise me at all if Rounds tapped Janklow for the job.

[screenplaya]

187. No he wasn't.

Jeffords was CHEERED for refusing to cooperate with ignorant moneygrabbers. Get your facts straight.

[Benhurst]

189. Jeez! Is it always necessary to use the

:sarcasm: smilie on DU? Of course he was cheered.

[Shakespeare]

113. You are confused.

The election itself gave the senate a democrat from Missouri (be it the late Mel or his wife Jean). Her appointment to serve in her husband's place didn't "flip" anything. Jeffords' defection caused control to swing to our side, but the Missouri senate seat had nothing to do with that.

[William769]

122. I am seeing a agenda here.

To begin with Jeffords flipped himself. Better find a better straw man argument.

[Deep13]

78. I don't care what's fair, only what makes us win.

[still_one]

86. no offense but why SHOULDN'T we complain. You want more death's in Iraq?

because that is exactly what WILL HAPPEN

You want abortion banned because they will support a supreme court justice to take it away

You want corporations to be treated as individuals?

I could go on, but I think you get my point

[feduppuke]

90. Oh My God!

You read my mind exactly! I was hoping for all those things when I pointed out that control of the Senate had been flipped before.

Sheesh. I got your point, but fear you completely missed mine.

[Shakespeare]

117. Your premise is false.

As I've already stated upthread, Jean Carnahan's assuming her husband's senate seat did not flip the senate. Jeffords' defection did. So to compare what happened to Mel Carnahan to what might happen (god forbid) with Johnson's set, is completely wrong.

[still_one]

191. Really I wasn't directing my thoughts at you personally, I just got pretty emotional about it

sorry if it came across that way

I am quite sure you agree with progressive issues

Once again, I appologize

[feduppuke]

194. No problem

I think we were both sweating it out a bit at the time. I'm just glad to hear Sen. Johnson is going to be OK.

[hfojvt]

110. no, Carnahan was elected

True, that was her husband, and he died in a plane crash during the campaign, but the bottom line is that the voters took a "Democrat to be named" which was presumed to be Jean Carnahan, over John Ashcroft.

[feduppuke]

160. Sen. Carnahan was elected?

My understanding is that she *never* won an election. Can you tell me when she was?

[hfojvt]

162. The democrat won that election

It was understood that Jean would be appointed after that. People knew who they were voting for, there just was not enough time to change the ballot.

[regnaD kciN]

140. There's NO comparison between the two cases...

It's hard to complain that this would throw the Senate (which it would), as we gained the same chamber through the appointment of Sen. Carnahan in 2001 (along with the defection of Jeffords).

In 2000, the acting governor of Missouri announced before the election took place that, if Carnahan won, his widow would be appointed in his place. Thus, voters knew going in that a vote for Mel Carnahan was a de facto vote for Jean Carnahan. And the voters picked that alternative over John Ashcroft. In other words, the voters chose a Democrat and a Democrat took office -- and, even more germane, the majority that voted Democratic knew in advance who that eventual senator would be.

There's a world of difference between that situation and this one, where the voters chose a Democrat and would get a Republican against their will.

[feduppuke]

161. OK.....

And how did that *not* happen in VT?

If it stinks that "voters chose a Democrat and would get a Republican against their will", how was it any better when VT voters chose a Republican, but got an Independant (who caucused with Dems)? I am not saying that the result is worse, I am just saying that we can't really complain.

[Bjorn Against]

156. Both cases you mention are far different situations.

Mel Carnahan died right before the election and his wife was appointed in his place, just as the voters expected. In fact if anything that situation cost the Democrats a seat, because she was put up for reelection two years later and lost the seat. If her husband Mel had lived he would have served the full six year term and there would have been no special election.

And Jeffords was the man elected to that position and the choice to switch was his own. In this situation the governor would be appointing a person who the elected candidate did not support. If Johnson were to volutarily switch to the Republican Party you may have a case, but this is a situation where the Republicans would be taking advantage of someones illness to gain control of the Senate despite that persons wishes.

[Name removed]

166. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[E-Z-B]

4. What does n/t mean?

I've been visiting this site for years and haven't figured it out. Thanks.

[Infinite Hope]

10. n/t = no text in the message...just the title so no need to click it....n/t

[E-Z-B]

24. Thanks! I thought all this time it was "Not True". But then I came onto

this thread, and it didn't make sense anymore.

[Glorfindel]

11. n/t = "no text" (Message) just Subject

It took me a while to figure it out, too.

[Radio_Lady]

139. Self delete

Someone else already mentioned "eom" for end of message. That one confused me a bit... until I asked.

Over and out...

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[suston96]

18. Bad news....

US Constitution says how that is done. I believe the Governor appoints......

[Jim Lane]

108. Some people use "eom" (for "end of message") to mean the same thing (n/t)

[villager]

6. Senate Power grab alert: SD's governor, Rounds, is a Repub

In case this should come to having to appoint someone, which I pray to God it doesn't...

[Name removed]

190. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[davepc]

7. If he is unable to serve as Senator, does that mean Mike Rounds gets to appoint his successor?

[patricia92243]

9. I know this is tacky to ask, but I'm doing it anyway, Is the Governor of SD Democratic or Republica

Republican?

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. Mike Rounds is a Republican

[krispos42]

31. Uber-Repuke

I think he's Catholic, and he signed that terrible total abortion ban bill earlier this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Rounds

[murray hill farm]

112. He is a republican...and

if need be????? he will appoint the replacement of his choice. please excuse my extreme paranooia, but wasnt this a little tooooooooooooooooo convenient for the repupgs?

[RaleighNCDUer]

148. My very first thought

but then I KNOW I'm paranoid.

[Morgana LaFey]

169. A good many of us are paranoid for some very good reasons

and yes, how incredibly conveeeeenient this is for the admin, IF he can't continue to serve, was the very first thing on my mind when I heard.

[Freddie Stubbs]

195. So, they are inducing strokes?

:shrug:

[beth9999]

203. Self-delete

Self-delete

[Freddie Stubbs]

206. I think so, but

wouldn't his movies be more suitable for children if he was named Jean-Claude van Darn?

[villager]

13. Repuke

n/t

[KingFlorez]

15. Yes

[Infinite Hope]

14. SD uses Special Elections I think. That's how their Dem representative

was elected after the predecessor had the drunk driving incident if I remember correctly.

But we don't know how serious the stroke even was yet.

Edit: On MSNBC they just said the Governor appoints...

[feduppuke]

67. Typically

A House vacancy is filled with an immediate election...a Senate vacancy is filled by the Gov until the next biannual election. There are a few exceptions by state; Mass, in 2004, passed a law allowing the state legislature to fill the vacancy. That way, Romney would not have been able to pick a replacement for Sen. Kerry if he had ascended to the Presidency in 2005.

[lapfog_1]

16. Is Mike Rounds still governor?

I've been very worried about this kind of thing happening. MSNBC made it sound very serious. If it's incapacitating...

And would S.D. law allow Rounds to appoint a replacement?

And when would it happen?

Could we lose the majority in the Senate?

Senate Majority leader Trent Lott?

Holy crap!!!!

I sure hope it's not serious and Tim makes a complete and speedy recovery!

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. Rounds was just reelected

Rounds 206,996 62%

Billion 121,241 36%

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/SD/G/00/index.html

[beth9999]

202. No doubt...

... in a stolen election.

[Infinite Hope]

17. Advisory: Dems stay clear of small aircraft. n/t

[krispos42]

22. Crosslinked story in GD:P

Damn, Tim, pull out! You're a decent guy!

[LynneSin]

25. My prayers are out there for Tim Johnson and his family

Consider this - I don't think Strom Thurmond could even function the last 12 years in office and they kept him in office.

But the general policy is that the governor will appoint a replacement which will probably come from the party of the governor. Then in the next major election in South Dakota a special election would be held to fill out the term of the senator.

But let's not put the cart before the horse, people have survived strokes

[Alhena]

27. At least we have Daschle waiting in the wings ...

presumably he'd want his old job back and you'd have to think he'd be a prohibitive favorite in any election. But then, I know nothing about SD politics- am I correct?

[suston96]

28. No election...

The governor appoints. The governor is a Republican.

[krispos42]

33. The citizens of SD might raise enough of a stink for Daschle

But Rounds might have been looking to run for Johnson's seat in '08 himself. Can Rounds appoint himself to the Senate?!?!?!?

[iamjoy]

129. You Mean Like Frank Murkowski of Alaska?

oh wait, he resigned from the Senate after being elected governor and appointed his DAUGHTER to the Senate.

no conflict of interest or nepotism there.

[Alhena]

41. You mean no election until 08? Not even a special election?

Normally the governor appoints someone, but they have a special election in a few months. Will that not happen here?

[Renew Deal]

43. That's not what I'm reading.

The governor appoints in the interim until a special election. http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/Vacancies.pdf

[Charlie Brown]

30. Politics aside

I just hope Senator Johnson is okay, and hope his family is comforted and consoled during this very unsettling ordeal.

They all have my prayers.

[musette_sf]

32. if it's a relatively minor stroke

then he'll still be far more coherent, cogent and healthy-appearing than drug-and-booze-addled Georgie Butch.

[LSparkle]

39. Amen!

[Newsjock]

34. Where was Vladimir Putin?

Has he been visiting South Dakota lately?

I'm just sayin', y'know ...

[Amused Musings]

73. There are many

nuclear missile silos out there...

[Nay]

75. My 1st thought, too--have they checked him for radiation? n/t

[Skinner]

35. Update: Currently under observation at George Washington University Hospital

per MSNBC

[Virginia Dare]

37. Anybody know if that's why K Street was shut down,

ambulances going by and helicopters flying around about an hour or two ago?

[demdiva]

38. oh crazy

I work in GTown ...didn't notice anything down here

[rinsd]

36. Best wishes to Tim Johnson and his family (nt)

[merci_me]

40. This could be minor, as strokes go....................

my wonderful Democratic mailcarrier stuffered a stroke a two months ago. He's in his mid 50's. He was in the hospital for less than a week and two weeks after he got out, he's back delivering mail. I don't know if he's on a shorter route, but I see him nearly everyday and he's doing great and just loves to chat about the wonderful Democratic wins.

Let's all just hope Senator Johnson is like William and not laid up too long and is soon back on the Hill.

[demdiva]

42. I hope for the best for Tim Johnson and his family nt

[flamingyouth]

44. My thoughts are with him and his family.

How frightening.

[lapfog_1]

45. Update - MSNBC

He told staff right after noon eastern that he wasn't feeling well, they called the House physician who examined him and then called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital.

The good news is that it wasn't a debilitating immediate stroke (collapse and possibly die kind of thing).

The bad news is that it is still a stroke and they can get progressively worse if the blood clot is not removed (dissolved by drugs or sometimes by catheter).

The good news is that he is getting treatment early after presenting mild symptoms. There is a high recovery rate for these types of stokes, especially in younger patients (he is 60 according to MSNBC, looks younger to me).

Scarborough is almost orgasmic thinking about a repuke controlled senate. Asshole.

[Mabus]

47. Thank you for the update

I saw the headline and was stunned for a couple of minutes.

[flamingyouth]

48. Thanks for that update.

[karlrschneider]

49. No Doctor has said stroke...only 2 'witnesses' who 'observed signs of

stroke". According to M$NBC a couple mins ago.

[Morgana LaFey]

174. Quick! Send Frist a video n/t

[LynneSin]

50. This is good news indeed! Let's hope for a speedy recovery

There is no reason why he should have to resign unless it's a person decision (his term is up in 2008). And there is plenty of time for recovery. It's not like he's the only senator under medical treatment during the brake, Craig Thomas of Wyoming is undergoing treatment for Leukemia right now

[Bumblebee]

54. Yes, and their Governor is a Democrat.

[LA lady]

72. Wyoming must select from same party

If Thomas should have to withdraw, the Repukes give the Gov a list to choose from.

[sabbat hunter]

87. any link

a link to show how each state select a senator in case of death/incapacitation would be nice.

[GainesT1958]

101. In North Carolina, if a replacement for an office-holder is needed...

If it's a Congressperson, the State Board of Elections charges the district committee of the party of the incumbent Congressperson with the responsibility of picking the replacement--so the replacement will be from the same party. If a senator, the State Board of Elelctions charges the state executive committee of the party of the incumbent senator with making the pick--again, so the replacement is of the same party. The next general election then decides who will hold the office for the remainder of the term--or for the next term, if a Congressperson.

My thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Johnson and his family--especially his son, who is serving/did serve in Iraq.

B-)

[SeattleGirl]

52. Glad he went to see the physician when he started not feeling well.

For many strokes, getting the person to the doc asap is one of their best shots at a good recovery.

As for Joe: fuck you. You make me sick.

[Beetwasher]

56. I Predict He Will Be Fine

That it's a minor stroke and he will be ok. Everyone calm down.

[karlrschneider]

62. I didn't hear anything -official- (from a doctor or the hospital) saying it

was definitely a stroke (was watching M$NBC since 3 pm CST)

[lapfog_1]

68. Correct, I was citing MSNBC... who spewed all this stuff

and at the very end of the segment said that it was only an "apparent stroke".

[feduppuke]

69. Sounds as though

it was discovered early, which is the key to minimizing the damage a strok could do. Let's hope that a full (and quick) recovery can make all the replacement discussions moot!

[ladym55]

184. Russert on NBC Nightly News was downright offensive

Brian Williams reported that Sen. Johnson may have had a stroke, and Tim Russert was PRACTICALLY JUMPING UP AND DOWN WITH EXCITEMENT over a change in the Senate. It was gross. A man is in the hospital, and Russert already has him dead and buried, so power will shift in the Senate. Maybe he and Scarborough can go get orgasmic together. :puke:

[Bumblebee]

51. Only MSNBC is reporting it so far -- and speculating like crazy --

but it's not even on their web site yet. Reid suffered a minor stroke last year too, with few consequences. Let's not panic yet...

[RobofSWVA]

55. anyone have a link yet?

[spinbaby]

58. Just Rawstory

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Senator_Tim_Johnson_reportedly_suffers_stroke_1213.html

[Bumblebee]

63. and this on MSNBC site

Video: S.D. senator suffers stroke

[Bumblebee]

71. CNN has it now as News Alert

[Bumblebee]

74. and here is Brian Williams

http://dailynightly.msnbc.com/

[mconvente]

57. Johnson being checked out now, so I would think he's OK nt

[Wetzelbill]

59. I hope he gets better

He's in my thoughts and prayers.

[Judi Lynn]

60. Hoping the best for this man. He's had a hard time of it holding on to that seat.

Republicans have been hard after him during _Bush's seizure of the White House.

[AtomicKitten]

61. Immediate anticoagulant treatment usually produces a good outcome.

Fingers crossed.

[rox63]

79. Depends on the type of stroke

My dad died from a stroke, but his was from bleeding in the brain rather than a blood clot. If they'd given him an anti-coagulent, the bleeding would have gotten even worse. The anti-coagulants only work for strokes brought on by clots.

[AtomicKitten]

83. Not to quibble

but what you are talking about is an intracerebral hemorrhage which is very different than a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischemic attack (TIA), the latter two a disruption in blood supply to the brain causing neurologic insult.

CVAs and TIAs are treatable by anticoagulants. Intracerebral hemorrhage is not, but that is not technically considered a stroke. Some doctors unfortunately aren't clear when speaking to patient's families in layman terms.

As an example of this same mistaken nomenclature, people often refer to gastroenteritis as "flu" when technically influenza is a distinctly different condition.

Sorry to hear about your dad. My father passed away of same in January of this year.

[rox63]

88. I'm not in the medical field, so I wasn't aware of the differences

And they called it a stroke when they talked to my Mom. It happened over 10 years ago, and he was only 63 at the time. It was in the region of brain stem, and he suffered major brain damage, never even regaining consciousness.

[AtomicKitten]

91. I'm very sorry to hear of that catastrophic event.

But short of dying in one's sleep, that's probably the next best way to go IMHO.

[daveskilt]

138. working on my own massive MI right now

all about the quick routes.

[AtomicKitten]

146. ouch

take care!

[daveskilt]

199. oh I meant intentionally

sorry didnt meant to illicit sympathy or anything - I work in a nursing home. its the standard nursing home worker joke - we (nursing home workers) are all living horribly unhealthy lives to try and ensure we have massive MI's instead of ending up like some of the folks we see every day.

[daveskilt]

137. The description of the symptoms sounds like a TIA

mild confusion, momentary stuttering, then he excused himself and walked out the room. I can't see that being a CVA or anything more serious.

[AtomicKitten]

144. exactly

and that is most excellent news!!!

[derby378]

70. Nooooooo!!

Seriously, I hope he recovers soon.

[TheDonkey]

76. Rove has poisoned him!!

Sorry I've been watching too much footballers wives. I hope Johnson recovers! :(

[mnhtnbb]

80. If no official word from hospital or Johnson spokesman, then MSNBC yellow journalism

[RamboLiberal]

81. From CNN website

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.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/13/johnson.stroke/index.html

[sabbat hunter]

84. if it is indeed a stroke

and Senator Johnson is unable to continue, the senate would flip back to the republicans as the governor of SD is a republican and would appoint a member of his own party.



here is to a speedy recovery for Senator Johnson.

[jbonkowski]

97. Not quite

I think it would be a tie then, and then a power sharing system for the committees and agendas would be done. Not the same as switching back to the R's.

jim

[sabbat hunter]

126. nopes

cause cheney would break the tie and throw the senate to republicans

[daveskilt]

142. both right and both wrong

a 50-50 tie would give it to the repubs with the repub president of the senate (Darth Cheney)

However - a stroke does not mean he HAS to vacate his senate seat. Firstly I'm sure we all hope for his speedy recovery. If he were incapacitated and unable to perform his duty as a senator he could not be replaced unless he resigned or died. Several senators have continued to hold onto a seat while they were unable to attend the senate or act as senator.

[soleft]

85. A woman in my office had a stroke and was back in 2 weeks

[edbermac]

89. Teddy Bruschi of the Patriots had a stroke last year...

And he came back to play for the team this year.

[brentspeak]

104. How did a young guy, a professional athlete no less, have a stroke?

Scary at any age, but especially at his age.

[Bumblebee]

92. Two can play that game -- here's the state of health of Thomas from Wyoming

with a Democratic Governor

http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2006/12/06/news/top_story/edf25345dba59ed38725723a00681ba1.txt

[Crunchy Frog]

134. Wyoming apparently has different rules for appointing successors

it these sorts of situations. :(

[jbonkowski]

93. He's left the hospital already

According to Rhandi Rhodes. He will be evaluated soon by stroke experts.

She didn't identify her source.

jim

[AtomicKitten]

94. WOO=HOO!!!!

Bravo, Tim, and continued speedy recovery.

And suck on it, Republicans. Oh, so close ..........

[RamboLiberal]

105. I'm doubting that - wonder where Randi got her info

eom

[RadiDem]

95. Sending out good vibes and healing white light to Tim Johnson -nt-

[Name removed]

96. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vanje]

103. When the senate balance is close, Dem senators face peril

The last time the senate balance of power was so razors-edge close, someone sent Daschel some Anthrax. Recall that media personell recieved anthrax too, but that was weaker stuff. The finely-milled killer Thrax that was potent enough to kill mail postal workers in its wake, was sent to Daschell only.
The next time it looked like the dems might regain the senate, Senator Wellstone's plane went down in a mysterious accident.

[Name removed]

98. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bumblebee]

102. WE SHOULD SEND HIM FLOWERS!!!!

[undeterred]

119. Good idea!

Start a thread in GD??

[RamboLiberal]

106. AP Story

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/13wire-johnson.html?hp&ex=1166072400&en=b017d9b905a6339e&ei=5094&partner=homepage

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.

<snip>

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.

[Up2Late]

107. This was just on NPR, this sucks.

<http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=2>
It sounds more like minor stroke, similar to one that a friend of my Mother had a few years ago, she recovered almost completely.

Get well soon Senator.

[Name removed]

109. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Shakespeare]

118. Oh please.

No, he is not.

[onenote]

123. get a grip

stupidest post of the day award winner

[whistle]

114. This is too bad, my prayers go out to his family and for the Senator

....in a speedy recovery.

<snip>
In 2004, Tim battled prostate cancer. After surgery, all tests now show him clear of the disease. Barb, a two time breast cancer survivor, was crucial to his recovery. The two remain committed to raising awareness about prevention and early testing.

For many years, Tim Johnson has been an active voice in the fight for building a better future for all South Dakotans -- regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, income or religion. From championing fiscal responsibility to leading the charge on agricultural issues to fighting for children, youth, and families, Tim's commitment to creating positive change for all South Dakotans can clearly be seen in his legislative achievements. Perhaps that's why, after five terms in the House of Representatives, his 1996 election to the U.S. Senate and reelection in 2002, Tim remains one of the most popular public officials in South Dakota. <MORE>

http://johnson.senate.gov/about.html

[wryter2000]

115. Based on what I'm hearing now

Worse happened to the mayor of San Jose last year. He couldn't continue and had to leave the stage. He was back in the saddle within a week.

I think we can be optimistic.

[Vinca]

116. It sounds very hopeful. He'll be back. nt

[RedEarth]

120. AP: Update 4:53 p.m. ET

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.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Johnson.html?hp&ex=1166072400&en=498ab20ce25632b0&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[renate]

130. thank you for that update

It sounds like he--and we--dodged a bullet. This could have been catastrophic for him and for the country.

I really hope that Bush doesn't issue a public statement saying that he and his family are praying for Tim Johnson. What a colossal lie that would be.

[stevietheman]

124. A Governor-appointed replacement would be very temporary

Found this at BluegrassReport...

The SD Governor would appoint a temporary replacement who would serve until a special election, which would be held on the primary or general election day within the following six months, and if neither occurs within that time frame, a special election must be held in 80 to 90 days.

[KamaAina]

143. Of course, there are no guarantees we'd win such an election

in a state which just re-elected the repuke governor in question in a landslide -- especially not with the full force of the repuke propaganda machine bearing down on tiny SD. Just ask Tom Daschle...

If it sounds like I'm putting politics ahead of human life, remember that, in "this war in which we find ourselves", :puke: , politics is about human life. Continued repuke control of the Senate, by hook or by crook, would cost thousands of American -- and untold tens of thousands of Iraqi -- lives in the war, not to mention all the Americans who are dying because they have inadequate health care, nutrition, and even shelter, thanks largely to the repuke Congress. :grr:

[stevietheman]

152. But Daschle would be the odds-on favorite, would he not? n/t

n/t

[Name removed]

178. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

179. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[McCamy Taylor]

127. Face facts, The WH is searching for occurances like this to steal the Senate.

If fate does not throw them in the administration's lap, the DOJ can manufacture them with bogus prosecutions etc Or there can be plane crashes.

If Johnson is not able to fill his term, the Republican governor will most certainly appoint a solid GOP senator, you can take that to the bank.

The Dems would be well advised to make a list of all Democratic senators from states with Republican governors and keep a close eye on said Senators for the next two years.

[KamaAina]

131. Or they could appoint Joementum to the UN ambassadorship

now that the Bolton nomination is kaput.

Same deal: Gov. Jodi Rell is a repuke, she appoints Holy Joe's replacemnt, all of our hard work removing Icky Ricky, Macacawitz, No Talent et al. goes down the drain. :tinfoilhat:

[daveskilt]

145. surely holy joe would keep his seat - for the good of the party right?

mumble mumble, self important, mumble mumble, opportunistic narcissistic, mumble, disloyal, mumble...

[stevietheman]

133. The appointment is only until a special election n/t

n/t

[dysfunctional press]

135. incorrect.

in SD, the governor appoints a replacement senator until the next biannual(i.e.2008) election.

[stevietheman]

151. No, you're incorrect. SD law says replacement is at next special...

election, which is the same day as the next primary or general election day.

[karlrschneider]

154. That is not what their State Law says.

:eyes:
http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=12-11-1

[Infinite Hope]

128. Please Take 1 Minute To Light A Candle For Tim Johnson (Link Provided):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3015079

See this thread for the very quick steps to do so!!!

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

132. Sounds like he will be fine *knocks on wood*

I was sweating this a few hours ago.

[Name removed]

147. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bluedog]

153. if hes able he can have an aide assist him

remember Strom Thurmond spent the nights in a DC hospital or home .......so his aide helped him..........Strom was not mentally all there yet he continued to serve..........whats the difference?

[mb7588a]

155. 19 reasons to hold your breath in the 110th Senate:

Democratic Senator/Republican Governor (State)

akaka/lingle (HI)
bayh/daniels (IN)
boxer/arnold (CA)
conrad/hoeven (ND)
dodd /rell (CT)
dorgan/hoeven (ND)
feinstein/arnold (CA)
inouye/lingle (HI)
johnson/rounds (SD)
klobuchar/pawlenty (MN)
leahy /douglas (VT)
lieberman/rell (CT)
mccaskill/blunt (MO)
nelson (FL)/crist (FL)
nelson (Ne)/heineman (NE)
Reed/carcieri (RI)
Reid/gibbons (NV)
sanders/douglas (VT)
whitehouse/carcieri (RI)

If for any reason any of these 19 leave office, the Republican governor would quite likely appoint a Republican.

[KamaAina]

164. Actually a mere 17 reasons

In Hawai'i, Lingle would be bound by law to fill any vacancy with a member of the same political party. Of course, that didn't stop her from appointing a crony to fill a vacancy in the Legislature only weeks after she had quietly re-registered Dem; it then turned out that Bev Harbin owed the state about $120,000 in back taxes! A genuine Dem recaptured the seat in Nov.

[anotherdrew]

185. got a similar list for the other way around? n/t

Gordon smith of Oregon for one

[mb7588a]

209. yup.

Republican Senators from states with democratic governors

Grassley (IA)
mccain (AZ)
kyl (AZ)
thomas (WY)
enzi (WY)
Smith (OR)
Vitter (LA)
Gregg (NH)
Sununu (NH)
Snowe (ME)
Collins (ME)
Brownback (KS)
Roberts (KS)
Inhofe (OK)
Coburn (OK)
Warner (VA)
Specter (PA)

[anotherdrew]

210. be a damn shame if something happened to mcain and specter

get out yer voodoo dolls folks

[FredScuttle]

186. Ahem

Joe Lieberman is not a Democrat. Thank you.

[truthisfreedom]

157. When he recovers it will be completely demoralizing to these morbid a-holes hoping for thug control.

Rabid dogs.

[RamboLiberal]

158. Thread in GD from discussion on NBC

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2913126

Saying Johnson could refuse to resign and that would prevent Governor from appointing a Repub.

[RamboLiberal]

159. Report from SD Newspaper Argus Leader

Hope this is wrong.

<snip>

Rep. Stephanie Herseth, at the conclusion of a Sioux Falls meeting with board members of the Lewis and Clark water project, called the group back together around 3 p.m. and announced Sen. Johnson had been taken to a hospital.

In a shaking voice, she called on South Dakotans for their prayers.

Herseth said she believed it was a severe stroke.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061213/NEWS/61213029

Political Insider sounds a lot more encouraging

Update on Johnson's Condition
Word has it that he is speaking and is expected to be fine. More to come...

http://politicalinsider.com/2006/12/update_on_johnsons_condition.html

[Harper_is_Bush]

167. I don't blame anyone for worrying about Senate control over his personal well-being

Control of the Senate is worth much more than any one life at this point in time. It could mean a great deal in terms of the environment, which is worth a great deal more.

However, I'm quite sure he'll be fine and unless he dies or resigns the Senate remains Dem.

[Tarc]

173. I would indeed blame and condemn anyone

that valued political control over the life of anyone, Senator or otherwise.

It wasn't that long ago that Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming) was diagnosed with leukemia, prompting not so much as a whisper of "what's in it for us if he kicks it?" responses around here, but only genuine condolences and "get well soon" responses.

Get back to that mindset please, and drop the crassness that has been all too evident in this thread.

[Harper_is_Bush]

192. It's the old question

if you can save 1 person vs. millions.

You choose one, I choose millions.

[Tarc]

197. Tell me

How big a room is needed to house the ego of one who thinks he can play God?

[Harper_is_Bush]

207. You tell me

you're the one who is valuing a single life above that of the world.

[nomatrix]

170. He did not suffer a stroke or heart attack

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16191212/

"WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was hospitalized Wednesday, weeks before his party was to take control of the Senate by a one-vote margin.

Johnson, who turns 60 on Dec. 28, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital with an undiagnosed illness, said a spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.

She said, however, the senator did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. His office had said earlier it was a possible stroke."


Phew!!

[mucifer]

171. Might be a TIA a transient ischemic attack. My dad has these. They

look like strokes but are not permanent. I hope that is what it was.

[BuyingThyme]

172. Thank you.

[Kber]

175. thank goodness!

highlights our precarious position though, doesn't it?

[Penndems]

176. The Senator and his family are in my thoughts and prayers

Here's hoping it's nothing serious, and that Senator Johnson is on his way to a speedy recovery.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

177. Note to self:

Buy more Reynold's Wrap.

[rosesaylavee]

180. Interesting precedent here...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16191212

"Previous cases
The Senate historian's office cites several examples of a senator being incapacitated for years and remaining in office.

Most recently, Sen. Karl Mundt (coincidentally, also from South Dakota) suffered a stroke in 1969 and was incapacitated, but he refused to step down. He remained in office until January 1973, when his term expired. Mundt was pressured repeatedly to step down during his illness, but he demanded that the governor promise to appoint his wife. The governor refused, and Mundt remained in office.

Another example was Sen. Carter Glass, D-Va. Glass had a heart condition that prevented him from working for most of his last term after his re-election in 1942. Yet Glass refused to resign, and finally died of congestive heart failure in May 1946, in his apartment at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington."

[screenplaya]

188. Dana Bash is Orgasmic

Friggin Dana Bash can always be counted on to tow the Bush line. What a vile shill.

[bufffbison]

196. surgery was described as "successful"

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/14/thursday/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Johnson, 59, was out of surgery at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, a source familiar with the senator's condition told CNN. He was hospitalized Wednesday morning after he appeared to suffer stroke-like symptoms, his spokeswoman said.

The surgery was described as "successful" by the source. Although Johnson's condition was critical, that is a classification given to anyone immediately following brain surgery.

"The next 24 to 48 hours are critical," the source said. (Posted 8:27 a.m.)

[lovuian]

208. There are No coincidences

and everything is connected

[Tellurian]

212. The senator is doing alright..

Admiral John Eisold, Attending Physician of the United States Capitol released a statement Thursday afternoon saying Thompson "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."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16199440/


...hoping Pelosi has posted round the clock guards at his bedside.