Senator Tim Johnson reportedly suffers stroke; Senate power seen in the balance.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

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

MSNBC is currently reporting that Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) has suffered a stroke.

There is no word, currently, on the Senator's condition.

If Johnson were to pass away, or be forced to retire, the US Constitution delegates the task of appointing a replacement to South Dakota lawmakers, who in turn, often turn that task over to the Governor. The Governor of that state, Mike Rounds, is a Republican, and both houses of the state legislature are dominated by Republicans.

Johnson will turn 60 on December 29.

[annabanana]

1. I pray for his speedy, complete recovery.. . . n/t

[bigtree]

2. damn

he's a good man. hope he recovers.

[rodeodance]

3. i hope he and his family find health. whow!

[butterfly77]

4. I was hoping nothing like this would happen...

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Saw it on MSNBC; nothing about it on CNN...yet

Came in here to find out the facts.

Right now, they (MSNBC) is saying that the Republican governor would appoint a replacement. They aren't familiar with the details of that appointment (his choice vs. some constraints as in someone from the same party).

Holy shit.

[LynneSin]

6. If they allowed Strom Thurmond to serve until age 100...

...then there is no reason why Johnson should be forced to retire. We have no idea of how serious the stroke; it's feasible that it could just be a minor stroke. Anyhow, Craig Thomas of Wyoming is being treated for Leukemia and I don't see anyone forcing him out (which btw Wyoming governor is a democrat).

Let's keep our prayers & karma up for Sen Johnson for a speedy recovery

[annabanana]

10. He cannot be forced to retire....

I really, really hope it is not a major stroke.

[LynneSin]

15. Well technically he could - if his wife insisted

But there is nothing constitutionally that says you have to retire if under medical treatment

[LSparkle]

13. Amen -- he CAN recover from this, and God willing, he will

And as someone posted elsewhere here today, even someone who's minimally affected would be a BIG IMPROVEMENT over the empty-headed deaf fool sitting in 1600 Penn. Ave.

[LSparkle]

7. Pardon me if this is a lapse in taste but ... is this *'s plan?

To get us all so angry that we blow gaskets, suffer strokes, go postal?????

I've been seething ever since I got up this morning, hearing that "The Decider" wants to send MORE troops into the bloodbath in Iraq, that Saudi Arabia is giving us ultimatums, etc., etc. It IS enough to make you have a stroke ...

[kerry-is-my-prez]

8. CNN reporting it now.... "stroke-like symptoms"

sounds better than an out and out stroke.

[bigtree]

12. okay

might be manageable with medication

[Norquist Nemesis]

24. If it's a stroke. They're still not reporting (or have no info) on

what his "condition" is. :shrug:

Anyone know if there are any drugs that present "stroke-like" syptoms?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

23. Good, I hope it's not a stroke

I hope the early story was a quick reporter's over-reaction to symptoms of a lesser kind. Some vertigo symptoms can be stroke-like and clear up quickly (it sucks getting old).

Pray for health, and worry about Rep/Dem balance later.

Regards.

[Norquist Nemesis]

25. His staff told reporters he was experiencing "stroke-like" symptoms

It wasn't just some 'quick reporter's over-reaction'. This happened at 11:30 DC time.

[Bluebear]

29. me too nt

[kikiek]

32. I am with you about the pray now worry later. Happy to see someone

bring that up. The reports now are that he is ok. But I also agree with you on the over reaction. I can't believe how quickly the story turned to who will appoint a replacement, and that they were Republican. The staff said stroke like symptoms. As you point out other things mimic a stroke. Get tired of the news being made not reported.

[KamaAina]

36. Could be a TIA (Temporary Ischemic Attack)

a friend of mine got one of those in the middle of a big conference up here. She blamed it on arthritis meds she was taking. If that's what it is, he'll recover in a few days, and the fate of the Republic is secure for the time being.

edit: added 'it'

[shance]

9. Another amazing 'miracle' for the Administration. How incredibly convenient

n/t

[Jawja]

16. shance,

that's exactly what I was about to post. Seems like this criminal cabal always gets the breaks.

[Norquist Nemesis]

17. Yeah, they have to be the luckiest bastards in history.

Time after time. Screw ups and fuck ups one after the other. And every time they get some 'unprecedented' break.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

28. Oh Give Me A Break.

Seriously.

:eyes:

[Catherine Vincent]

11. We should get used to this.

With the Senate being so close, it could always go the other way any day if someone gets sick etc.

p.s. I hope the Senator recovers from his stroke.

[Lex]

14. Speedy recovery, Sen Johnson.

[Norquist Nemesis]

Agreed!

*praying*

[SeattleGirl]

18. MSNBC update, from LBN:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2651412&mesg_id=2651519

[bigtree]

19. Scarborough salivating over the prospect of republicans taking the Senate

:mad:

[Lex]

21. He's a ghoul.

nt

[SeattleGirl]

22. I know. Let's hear it for those "compassionate" Conservatives.

:puke:

[butterfly77]

35. Thanks for the warning ...

I will need a drink before I begin to look at this...

[0rganism]

20. stay out of small airplanes, senators

I suspect this is one of many "brushes with death" we'll be seeing over the next few months.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

26. from the "wire hanger" state - out of all states.

This could end up being a really really big deal due to that.

[Holly_Hobby]

27. One very curable malady that can look like a stroke

is Bell's Palsy. My grandfather had this. He woke up one morning unable to use the entire right side of his face. His eye wouldn't close, he was drooling and the right side of his mouth hung down. We were SURE it was a stroke.

After rushing him to the hospital, it was determined that it was caused by an ear infection that affected the nerves on the right side of his face. He recovered in about 3 weeks. I hope Mr. Johnson's malady is just that simple.

[WI_DEM]

30. I pray for his recovery

[kerry-is-my-prez]

31. He was speaking to reporters this morning about the Iraq Report

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236331,00.html

(sorry - but the only link I could find was from faux news)

During a conference call with South Dakota reporters on Wednesday, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said "there's a lot that's very worthwhile" in the panel's report. He said he agrees the United States needs to transfer more responsibility to Iraqis.

"We need to create an environment where we can get our troops home, or at least get them out of harm's way," he said

"Clearly we have done a great deal for the Iraqi people, but we cannot have an indefinite stay in Iraq," Johnson added.

[ramblin_dave]

33. How would a 50-50 tie affect the Senate?

I know Cheney would be there to break a tie on any votes, but wouldn't both parties share committee chairs and have subpoena power?

[Dinger]

34. Just Curious What FR IS Saying. WAIT,

I don't think I want to know, and I don't care what they say. They're sick. Anybody who posts something positive would probably get banned.