MSNBC is reporting that Tim Johnson (D, SD) has had an apparent stroke

[karynnj]

They don't know the details or how severe. (SD has a R Governor)

[demdiva]

1. wow you're fast.

I don't see this anywhere online yet

[beachmom]

2. That's terrible. I hope he's okay, and will recover well.

So if he can't do his senatorial duties, the Senate will revert to the Republicans? That's beyond nuts.

[Blaukraut]

3. yes, we may lose the senate

Rounds (SD governor)will definitely not appoint a Dem senator.

[demdiva]

4. Well it would be 50/50

so I think leadership of committees would be split, BUT with Cheneys vote they could break ties

[demdiva]

7. Apparently I'm wrong

I guess the committees would also switch over, according to Buchanan on MSNBC

[beachmom]

8. The diarist over at Kos seems to think that Johnson is going to be okay

So Buchanan can kindly be quiet now.

[beachmom]

5. Kos diary on it which is following the news

Latest update:

UPDATE 3: Live from MSNBC - happened in the afternoon at the capitol. They called the doctor. He's under observation at the hospital.



http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/12/13/153343/62#c63



Any medical experts here -- "observation" doesn't sound that bad, but maybe I'm wrong.

[demdiva]

6. Update MSNBC - in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2651412#2651519

[ProSense]

9. My prayers are with the Johnson family.

It's hard to glean the severity of the stroke from the reports, so I pray for his full recovery!

Recent news?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061213/ap_on_go_co/johnson_7

[mloutre]

10. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but...

...if they find polonium in his bloodstream, I'm moving to Tasmania straightaway.

[wisteria]

11. OMG, I was having similar thoughts.

it's terrible, but I don't put anything past the Repubs and possibly some Dem's too when it comes to gaining power. I still wonder what happened with the investigation into the anthrax scare. You know the one that targeted Democrats and liberal journalists along with some unfortunate postal employees.