South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson's political future is unclear

[DeepModem Mom]

WP, "The Sleuth," by Mary Ann Akers
Sen. Johnson's Wife Makes No Mention of Husband's Political Future

A letter emailed to supporters from his wife this week gives no clearer indication of whether Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) plans to run for re-election in 2008. Mrs. Johnson made no mention in her letter of her husband's political future. She spoke instead of family and friends, and the "goodness and decency" of the people of South Dakota. "Planting our feet in South Dakota will be our Christmas morning this year, and we are thrilled to receive the best gift we could ever hope for," wife Barbara Johnson writes. "We couldn't be happier to be traveling home later this month. We have missed our friends and family, and cannot wait to thank you in person at Tim's homecoming celebration."

Doctors have given Johnson the green light to travel to South Dakota next week for the first time since suffering a debilitating brain hemorrhage last December as he and his wife were preparing to fly to South Dakota to celebrate Christmas and the senator's 60th birthday, which was Dec. 28. But his political future, and that of the Senate Democratic majority, hangs in the balance.

His homecoming celebration, which is open to the public, is scheduled to be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on Aug. 28. Johnson aides say the "Thank You South Dakota" celebration will give him a chance to do just that - express his gratitude to his constituents face to face for the first time in eight months - not to discuss any decision on his 2008 re-election plan.

According to the most recent information from Johnson's Senate office about the event, no other U.S. senators are scheduled to attend. But Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.), whose name has been bandied as a likely Senate candidate if Johnson retires, is a confirmed speaker, as is GOP Gov. Mike Rounds, who also would be a likely candidate if Johnson were to retire....

Johnson is expected to return to Capitol Hill next month, though in what condition is still unclear. The senator has been living at his home outside Washington, getting intensive physical, speech and occupational therapy on an outpatient basis at National Rehabilitation Hospital.

His wife gave this assessment in her update: "While this is not the end of the journey on Tim's road to recovery, it is a significant milestone."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/sen_johnsons_wife_makes_no_men.html

[madrchsod]

1. if he ran again he would be 66

at the end of his term...if it were me i`d say that would`t be worth it. if he does decide to run again i pray that he has the strength and all the support he needs to do for his state and this country. it would seem that his family is`t saying anything because they are waiting for him to decide and when he will make his announcement.

[Sadie4629]

2. 66 is actually very young

compared to many who are still actively serving in the Senate.

[TheFarseer]

3. what does the Democratic bench look like in SD?

I hope it's nothing like Nebraska's!