Sen. Craig Thomas passes away

[EV_Ares]

Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wy.) died Monday night of leukemia, his office announced.

Thomas was a three-term senator who previously served five years in the House. He had been battling leukemia since November 2006, and returned to the hospital late last month for a second round of chemotherapy. His office announced earlier today that his cancer was resisting the treatment.

Full statement from his office after the jump.

Dem Gov pledges to appoint a republican to fill his seat.

The Associated Press reported earlier today that Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, would appoint a successor from one of three finalists chosen by the state Republican party.


http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0607/Sen_Craig_Thomas_passes_away.html

[Erika]

1. Positive thoughts for his family n/t

[NoodleBoy]

2. I don't care what other people think-- I don't like to see anyone die.

and Freudenthal is doing the right thing by appointing a Republican. go him.

[RL3AO]

3. He has to by law.

[NoodleBoy]

6. that law should be national-- that's what we have in AZ.

[lonestarnot]

8. no one gets outta here alive.

[EFerrari]

4. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

[zulchzulu]

5. RIP and condolences to his family

Battling leukemia is a lousy way to go. I wish his family all the best.

[rpannier]

7. My condolensces to his family

I'm not from Wyoming so he never represented me.

When he annpunced he had leukemia, I sent an e-mail wishing him a speedy recovery.
I got back a thank you response.
It was not a personal response of course.
But, most U.S. Senators only send those responses to constituents and I did identify myself as NOT being one.
I thought it showed a lot of class.

[ComerPerro]

9. Man, you can be certain a Repig wouldn't return the favor of replacing a Dem with a Dem

[rpannier]

10. In Wyoming they have no choice

Apparantly the law requires the replacement to come from the same party.

[ComerPerro]

11. Well, you could appoint a Repig who "changes" his party affiliation

[NoodleBoy]

12. would you like to see Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, Harry Reid, Tim Johnson, or any other Dem

replaced by a Democratic who just happens to switch parties immediately after being appointed to fill their unexpired terms?

This is a matter of principle. The people of Wyoming elected a Republican to represent them in 2006-- to overturn that mandate by exploiting the death of their favorite candidate would be a craven act of exploiting peoples' misfortune.

[ComerPerro]

13. I wouldn't like to see it happen, but I expect it. And, like I said, I know that's what they'd do

I was not saying that the Dem should have done this. I am saying that Repigs would have, put in a "Dem" who switched from Repig moments earlier.

[NoodleBoy]

14. And you know this because you are every Republican governor of every US State?

Sure buddy.

[ComerPerro]

15. no, I know this because they are all so god damed hoest and trustworthy

[NoodleBoy]

16. yes, every republican is out to get YOU, mister, and you better watch your back

because there isn't a decent one out there, at all.

[LeftishBrit]

18. As an outsider, I agree that's the fairest

Here, a by-election would be arranged almost immediately; but if that is not the system, I think it seems fairest to take the previous wishes of the voters into account.

[rpannier]

17. That's true

Except the Party submits 3 names and the Gov picks one of the 3

[LeftishBrit]

19. I'm sorry to hear that

Leukemia is a horrible disease, especially in older people.

RIP Mr. Thomas; and hoping for a cure for all forms of cancer.