Sen. Johnson Improves, Is Expected to Miss Start of Congress

Associated Press and NYT ^ | 29 December 2006 | Staff

[BlackElk]

Retired New York Yankee centerfielder Bobby Murcer (at 60, one year older than Senator Johnson), had brain surgery yesterday to remove a just discovered malignant (cancerous) tumor from his brain. Former Yankee public relations director Marty Appel visited Murcer in the hospital and reports that Murcer is conscious, talking and joking after the anesthesia wore off.

I wish Senator Johnson a speedy and complete recovery. I wish him defeated in 2008 in an anti-Hillary landslide.

That having been said: Nonetheless, there will be a new acid test applied by liberals in the event of the senator's death or total permanent disability : No hangups on mere death or total disability as disqualifying Johnson from continuing (or SCOTUS's John Paul Stevens, Swish Souter or Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg in similar circumstances). Does a person take a narrow-minded technical and therefore reactionary view of death or disability or a progressive, reasonable, broad-minded, expansive view?

Oh death, where is thy sting?????

[Non-Sequitur]

he is responsive to directions from his wife

Any man who's been married for any length of time knows that complying with instructions from you wife is a reflex action and not necessarily a conscious act.

[Recall]

I'm with you. I pray the Senator returns to his family and can enjoy a long and healthy life. Psst God, while you're at it, It wouldn't hurt if he changed his politics!

[Non-Sequitur]

At some point, the interests of the people of SD would best be served by appointing at least an interim successor, to hold the position and vote, either until the end of the term, or until the current Senator recovers.

Only one senator per seat. Johnson retains it until he dies or resigns regardless of effectiveness.

[Non-Sequitur]

I should note that, with the R in the 70s (a SD Senator, IIRC) the R caucus, before too long, stripped him of all of rank and priviledges and committee assignments.

But not his seat. If Johnsons disability turns out to be long term then no doubt the Democrats will replace him in any leadership positions he may have but he'll still be a senator. I don't think that the GOP allowed Strom Thurmond anything other than ceremonial duties his last four or five years.

[toddlintown]

What spin.

[Jacquerie]

If Johnson doesn't show up on Jan. 3, the Demos still organize with a 50-49 vote.

Quite true.

Regarding control of the Senate, was the year 2000 when the NJ Supremos illegally made sure that an electable Demorat was substituted for the hopelessly corrupt and sure to be defeated Toricelli? Had that not happened . . .

[bornacatholic]

Has anybody ever told Bush he can veto more than one piece of legislation? I think in the total number of vetoes cast, he trails Reagan 78 to 1; something like that.

BE, what d'ya think of Pelosi's plan to receive Communion live on TV as part of her Installation as Speaker Month

[AmishDude]

There wasn't such a fight with Strom. In that case, it was Strom who wanted the seat. The truth is, it is nearly impossible to expel a sitting Senator, no matter how invalid.

But this case isn't similar to Strom or when Biden was out with his surgery. There is a very real possibility that Tim Johnson will never be able to function at all. Strom could at least be wheeled into the chamber, at the end.

[AmishDude]

BE, what d'ya think of Pelosi's plan to receive Communion live on TV as part of her Installation as Speaker Month

Cheap exploitation.

[VRW Conspirator]

yes he is

[Osage Orange]

If he's on a ventilator...he's intubated or trached. And generally unable to speak. Although there are devices to facilitate speaking.....I'd guess he's not to that point yet,...if he ever will be.

[bornacatholic]

I know. And I expect the American Bishops have an arsenal of severe consequences all lined-up and ready to implement :)

[Iwo Jima]

"Yes, dear."

Yes, dear."

Yes, dear."

"Did you say something, dear?"