Posted on 12/13/2006 12:46:10 PM PST by leadpenny
Edited on 12/13/2006 2:04:33 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://capwiz.com/c-span/bio/?id=537&lvl=C&chamber=S
Sen. Johnson suffers possible stroke
12/13/2006, 4:53 p.m. ET
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota suffered a possible stroke Wednesday and was taken to a Washington hospital, his office said.
Johnson became disoriented during a call with reporters at midday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover, asking if there were any additional questions before ending the call.
If he should be unable to continue to serve, it could halt the scheduled Democratic takeover of the Senate. Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election. South Dakota's governor, who would appoint any temporary replacement, is a Republican.
Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he had walked back to his Capitol office after the call with reporters but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it decided he needed to go to the hospital.
He was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital around noon, Fisher said.
"It was caught very early," she said.
Johnson's office released a statement saying he had suffered a possible stroke.
"At this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," the statement read.
The White House issued a statement wishing him a speedy recovery.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family," said spokesman Alex Conant.
If the two-term senator, 59, is unable to serve when the 110th Congress convenes Jan. 4, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds would appoint a replacement. Johnson had surgery for prostate cancer in 2004. He is up for re-election in 2008.
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there are no special restrictions on such an appointment and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.
Johnson turns 60 on Dec. 28. The centrist Democrat was elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been one of the more reserved members of the chamber, rarely taking center stage at news conferences.
He served in the House for 10 years from 1987 to 1997. His focus has been on committee assignments important to his state's interests — Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources — as well as a spot on Appropriations. The latter allows him to direct funds to South Dakota.
Johnson has worked as a lawyer and county prosecutor and served several years in the 1970s and 1980s in the South Dakota state Legislature.
Lucky. For now. Keep a watchful eye for changes.
The VP only votes if there is a tie.
Prayers up for him and his family!
Check this out for a real slice of DU leftwing whackism.....
Poll question: Did they try to "Wellstone" Tim Johnson?
Yes (10 votes, 56%) Vote
No (7 votes, 39%) Vote
Other (1 votes, 6%) Vote
And then there's this one....
MSNBC Breaking: Tim Johnson (SD-D) Has "Apparent" Stroke. n/t
remember when the shoe was on the other foot?
http://www.bettybowers.com/newsstrom.html
Rounds could beat either Johnson or Herseth. If Rounds is smart, he would appoint an elder stateman Republican (why not John Thune's mentor, former U.S. Senator Jim Abdnor) to finish out the term, and then run for the seat himself in two years, turning the governorship over to his LG.
The LG would be running as an incumbent for governor, Rounds would take the high ground *and* be U.S. Senator for a very long time.
P.S. I, too, hope that this is all overblown and that he has a full recovery. Johnson may have had the election stolen for him against Thune, but it was Daschle doing the stealing. He's a far more decent sort than Daschle ever was, even though he was a wholly owned subsidiary of Daschle, Inc. But then, you had to be to get elected in SD as a Dem in those days.
I too believe in bipartisanship, as in both parties playing by the same rules. In this instance, should TJ be unable to continue, I think the Paul Coverdell precedent should be binding.
That said, prayers for a swift recovery.
"Poll question: Did they try to "Wellstone" Tim Johnson?"
Soon DU will be polling for Polonium 210 rumors..hahaha
I guess they are back to being scared of Karl Rove again.
Governor Mike Rounds is a Republican. He has speculated about running for the seat himself in '08. He will probably procede very cautiously.
Prayers for a speedy recovery for the Senator and his family.
per NBC just now he is still unable to talk
Republican. Cheney would be the tie-breaker.
South Dakota has a Republican Governor Rounds. Your question is not tacky it is right on point. While we don't wish bad on Tim Johnson, the Rats only have a one senator majority. It is easier to pray for Johnson if you ask this to be placed in God's capable hands.
I doubt he retires.
Didn't Ried have a minor stroke last year?
Or was that something else?
God thats not good,Prayers for Tim
A fairly ghoulish performance on NBC by Brian Williams, Chip Reid and Tim Russert.
Best wishes to Senator Tim Johnson.
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