Control of Congress in doubt as Dem. Sen. is stricken

Gentle Giant · December-14th-2006, 02:15 PM

Even if he ended up brain damaged, he'd still be more cogent than most members of Congress. Here's hoping for a full recovery, for his sake and our's.

S.D. Sen. Johnson in critical condition
By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Writer | December 14, 2006

WASHINGTON --Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson was in critical condition recovering from emergency brain surgery Thursday, creating political drama over whether his illness could cost Democrats newly won control of the Senate.

The South Dakota senator, 59, suffered from bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital malformation, the U.S. Capitol physician said. He described the surgery as successful.

The condition, usually present at birth, causes tangled blood vessels that can burst unexpectedly later in life.

Democrats hold a fragile 51-49 margin in the new Senate that convenes Jan. 4. If Johnson leaves the Senate, the Republican governor of South Dakota could appoint a Republican to fill the remaining two years of Johnson's term -- keeping the Senate in GOP hands with Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking power.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid visited Johnson in the hospital Thursday morning and said afterward he was confident the senator would recover fully.

Asked about whether Democratic control of the Senate might be jeopardized, Reid said, "There isn't a thing that's changed."

Reid refused to comment on Johnson's medical condition, declining to even answer a question on whether the senator was conscious. "To me he looked very good," Reid said.

Johnson was taken to the hospital on Wednesday after becoming disoriented during a conference phone call with reporters. At first, he answered questions normally but then began to stutter. He paused, then continued stammering before appearing to recover and ending the call.

"The senator is recovering without complication," said Adm. John Eisold, the Capitol physician. "It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long-term prognosis."

Eisold said doctors stopped bleeding in Johnson's brain and drained the blood that had accumulated there.

Johnson's condition, also known as AVM, or arteriovenous malformation, causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large and become tangled.

The condition is believed to affect about 300,000 Americans, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The institute's Web site said only about 12 percent of the people with the condition experience symptoms, ranging in severity. It kills about 3,000 people a year.

The senator's wife, Barbara Johnson, said the family "is encouraged and optimistic."

In a statement from Johnson's office Thursday, she said her family was "grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans."

A person familiar with Johnson's situation said surgery began late Wednesday night and ended around 12:30 a.m. Thursday and that the next 24 to 48 hours would be critical in determining Johnson's condition. The person spoke on condition of anonymity out of respect for the senator's family.

If Johnson were forced to relinquish his seat, a replacement would be named by South Dakota's GOP Gov. Mike Rounds.

A Republican appointee would create a 50-50 tie, and allow the GOP to retain Senate control.

However, Senate historian Don Ritchie said senators serve out their terms unless they resign or die. Nine senators have remained in the Senate even though illnesses kept them away from the chamber for six months or more.

Rounds' press secretary, Mark Johnston, said Thursday the governor had nothing new to say. "We're watching as much as everyone else," he said.

The governor, elected to a second four-year term last month, has been widely seen as the Republican candidate with the best chance to challenge Johnson in two years.

Other than Rounds himself, top possibilities if a replacement senator were needed include Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard and state Public Utilities Commission Chairman Dusty Johnson, considered a rising star in the Republican Party. Retiring GOP legislative leaders, such as state House Speaker Matthew Michels and Senate Majority Leader Eric Bogue, also might be considered.

Johnson, who turns 60 later this month, was admitted to George Washington University hospital at midday after experiencing what his office initially said was a possible stroke.

His spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher, later told reporters that it had been determined that the senator had suffered neither a stroke nor a heart attack.

Fisher said that after making the conference call with reporters from the recording studio in the basement of the Capitol, he then walked back to his office but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it was decided he should go to the hospital.

He was taken to the hospital by ambulance around noon, Fisher said. "It was caught very early," she said.

A brain specialist not involved with Johnson's care said there's no way to know until Johnson is awake and able to answer questions how much lingering damage, if any, the bleeding may have caused. Still, while he'll remain in intensive care for a while, "he has every chance of recovery," said Dr. William Bank, who treats AVM and other neurovascular disorders at Washington Hospital Center.

Johnson is up for re-election in 2008.

In 1969, another South Dakota senator, Karl Mundt, a Republican, suffered a stroke while in office. Mundt continued to serve until the end of his term in January 1973, although he was unable to attend Senate sessions and was stripped of his committee assignments by the Senate Republican Conference in 1972.

Johnson, who was elected in 1996, holds the same seat previously held by Mundt.

South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there were no special restrictions on an appointment by the governor and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.

The Senate last convened with a perfect balance of 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats in January 2001. Then, the two parties struck a power-sharing agreement that gave control of the Senate to Republicans but gave Democrats equal representation on committees.

That arrangement lasted only until June 2001, when Vermont Republican James Jeffords became an independent who chose to vote with Democrats on organizational matters, giving Democrats control until Republicans won back the Senate in the 2002 midterm elections.

Johnson, a centrist Democrat, was first elected to the Senate in 1996 after serving 10 years in the House. He narrowly defeated Republican John Thune in his 2002 re-election bid. Thune defeated Sen. Tom Daschle, the former Senate Democratic leader, two years later.

Johnson is in line to become chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee.

He underwent prostate cancer treatment in 2004, and subsequent tests have shown him to be clear of the disease.

Johnson is the second senator to become ill after the Nov. 7 election. Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a Republican, was diagnosed with leukemia on Election Day. He is back at work.

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patricia · December-14th-2006, 05:58 PM

From what I gather, unless Johnson resigns or dies, his chair is still his chair.
I find that reassuring, considering that the surgery was successful and Johnson has not, nor does he seem inclined to do either resign or die. That's good news for his family and for the country.

Ron Thorne · December-14th-2006, 06:06 PM

All best wishes for Sen. Johnson's swift and full recovery.

Monte Smith · December-14th-2006, 09:19 PM

According to the Hill parliamentarians, there have been ill senators who have kept their chairs despite not showing up to vote and stuff. So unless it's obvious that Senator Johnson is not coming back and the S. Dak voters mutiny, or Johnson dies, I'd say the Senate is safely in Dem hands. Well, as safe as a single vote makes it.

Godspeed to Sen. Johnson. Best wishes for improved health.

Ron Thorne · December-15th-2006, 01:28 AM

You may send a get-well note to Senator Johnson by clicking here.

Gentle Giant · December-15th-2006, 09:30 AM

I bet Cheney's trigger finger is itching something awful these days.

Gary Sisco · December-15th-2006, 09:38 AM

Glad to see they managed to find one who had a brain on which to operate.

Monte Smith · December-15th-2006, 10:22 AM

It's a good thing the doctors found a congenital defect in the Senator's blood vessels, otherwise the darker corners of the bloggysphere would be connecting stroke symptoms to polonium-210.

lynn · December-15th-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

I bet Cheney's trigger finger is itching something awful these days.

Maybe Bush can take Cheney hunting at the ranch over Christmas. :-)

crawjo · December-15th-2006, 01:16 PM

From the description it sounds like Sen. Johnson has the same rare condition that I have and that my daughter has, which was the reason for her surgery two years ago. I hope he is able to recover.

Gary Sisco · December-16th-2006, 11:05 AM

Maybe they'd shoot each other and save the world a lot of trouble.

I encourage their hunting but only if they take the Speaker with them, and only if they are the only three within effective range. Jah knows who or what they'd shoot, otherwise.

lynn · December-17th-2006, 04:51 PM

It seems As though all the panic was indeed stired up by the Republicans who are trying to figure out a way to change the standing rules and force Sen. Johnson's retirement. I'd be ashamed to call myself a Republican if I were one. Those people have absolutely no shame.

patricia · December-17th-2006, 05:17 PM

It does seem as though the Republicans' first reaction was that control was again within their reach and not the possible serious condition of Johnson.
They totally neglected to mention the fact that he is still the elected official and will be until '08, unless he dies or resigns, neither of which is going to happen.
If that's the way their minds work, it must be bad news that he is recovering, did not suffer a stroke, and is still #51.
So close...............

Monte Smith · December-17th-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

]They...them...these people have no shame...those guys...if this is how their minds work...etc etc

Settle down, settle down. Come on. Each side would play this exactly the same. If Johnson is OK, we're fine and everyone will play nice. If he's debilitated, the Republicans are going to say against precedent that it's important that all members of Congress enjoy the full spectrum of human cognitive abilities. The Democrats will say that what really matters is that the victim get well and that the interest of Dakota voters can best be served by a vegetable propped up in good partisan order. If he resigns or, God forbid, dies, the Republicans are going to want their Republican governor to appoint a Republican replacement and the Democrats are going to cry bloody murder. "They...them...their minds!" etc. Because obviously, against precedent, what the right thing to do is to replace a Democrat with a Democrat, as God and the voters intended. Neither side is above gamesmanship. If Bush resigned and Cheney was on life-support, you're telling me the Dems wouldn't salivate for the White House in a manner less saintly than seemly?

patricia · December-17th-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

If Bush resigned and Cheney was on life-support, you're telling me the Dems wouldn't salivate for the White House in a manner less saintly than seemly?

Of course.
But, that isn't what is happening. The circumstances haven't even settled down yet. The senator-elect is still the senator-elect. He is ill, not dead. He has not resigned. The Democrats still have a one-guy majority.
What was a little unseemly it seems to me is that speculation on what would happen if he died seemed to be more about how it might give the power back to the Republicans than how his illness would affect his family.

The only thing that hasn't happened and isn't likely to is that Tim Johnson has stepped aside in order to give back what was taken from the Republicans by the voters, the majority.
Face it. The Dems got one more vote in the election just past than did the Republicans. As Rumsfeld would say, "Stuff happens."

Monte Smith · December-17th-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricia

What was a little unseemly it seems to me is that speculation on what would happen if he died seemed to be more about how it might give the power back to the Republicans than how his illness would affect his family.

Speculation by who? By the media and everybody who watches politics? You betcha. And I haven't heard a single call for the dude to be ejected from his hospital bed or his congressional seat by sling shot. Pretty much everybody is seeing what happens.

It certainly is not unseemly, however, to ponder what would happen if Johnson vacates the scene. It cannot be unseemly for the voters of South Dakota, for instance, to ponder same.

patricia · December-17th-2006, 08:45 PM

If anything it is good for the public to know what happens when the balance is this fine and something untoward happens to one or the other side.
So, ghoulishness aside, there are ramifications if Tim Johnson resigned for reasons of health.
But, he is not required to do so.
There are many examples of senators falling ill, retaining their seats, as they are entitled to do, even if they never are present for one vote.
That being said, it's likely that Tim Johnson will have a full recovery and finish his term and be re-elected in '08.

Monte Smith · December-17th-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricia

That being said, it's likely that Tim Johnson will have a full recovery and finish his term and be re-elected in '08.

Excellent. If you were a doctor or a citizen of South Dakota, your opinion would be noted.

patricia · December-17th-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Excellent. If you were a doctor or a citizen of South Dakota, your opinion would be noted.

Since I'm not either one, my opinion is as valuable as..............oh, I don't know.............yours?

GoodSpeak · December-17th-2006, 10:10 PM

Just like the republican'ts to take advantage of a negative situation.

I hope they choke on it.

Monte Smith · December-17th-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricia

Since I'm not either one, my opinion is as valuable as..............oh, I don't know.............yours.

Correct! So you understand perhaps from what gulf of ignorance you speak.

patricia · December-17th-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Correct! So you understand perhaps from what gulf of ignorance you speak.

And so, perhaps, must you??
The thread title seems to have named the first priority to many and it was not Tim Johnson's illness.
So, you tell me. Are you more concerned for Johnson's health, or for what the result would be should he not serve in the position to which he has been elected??
Humanitarian concern vs. possible return of power to the Republicans. Long-overdue oversight vs. continued Absolute Power.
Tough choice I know. But, tell the truth.

Gordon B · December-18th-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricia

And so, perhaps, must you??
The thread title seems to have named the first priority to many and it was not Tim Johnson's illness.
So, you tell me. Are you more concerned for Johnson's health, or for what the result would be should he not serve in the position to which he has been elected??
Humanitarian concern vs. possible return of power to the Republicans. Long-overdue oversight vs. continued Absolute Power.
Tough choice I know. But, tell the truth.

I don't understand why you are asking Monte this and not yourself or Jason, who titled the thread, or Ron, who i can't imagine would send a get well card to a Democratic Senator who voted for Bush's 2001 tax cuts, was one of four Dems to vote for Alito and has a 50% rating from NARAL if control of the Senate wasn't in doubt.

Has anybody sent a get-well-e-card to Sen. Craig Thomas?

I doubt it because the Governor of Wyoming is from his party.
I'm not advocating sending get-well e-cards to strangers whether they are politicians or not, just asking if Patricia has a reason why she asked Monte her question and not people on her side of the political fence.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a Democrat rooting harder for Johnson than a random sick person, either. Let's all be honest about the motives.

Gary Sisco · December-18th-2006, 08:14 AM

Well, each state is entitled to two senators. If he's alive and not retired, he's one of two. If he dies or retires, there'll have to be another chosen. It's not like there'll be one short for six years.

I'm not sure how it works elsewhere but if a state legislator or senator in Vt dies, another is appointed by the governor to serve until there can be another election. Traditionally, there's no written rule here, the party to which the legislator belonged presents a list of people to the governor and the governor appoints one.

Not sure how it would work in the US Senate but Constitutionally each state is entitled to two, so another would have to be chosen to replace him.

Monte Smith · December-18th-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricia

And so, perhaps, must you??

Ding ding ding. A tiny bell is going off somewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricia

So, you tell me. Are you more concerned for Johnson's health, or for what the result would be should he not serve in the position to which he has been elected??
Humanitarian concern vs. possible return of power to the Republicans. Long-overdue oversight vs. continued Absolute Power.
Tough choice I know. But, tell the truth.

You make it clear that your motivation is the political question and not the health of this man, else why would you talk about long overdue oversight versus Absolute Power? These are not medical issues, Absolute Power. I think yours is a perfectly acceptable way of looking at the issue. Naturally the health of the Republic trumps the health of a single man and if you believe that this guy's place on the Congress is a desperately important issue, then you have to give weight to the importance of his place on the Hill. Now, you have the happy position of being able to hope the man thrives and this will accomplish your political ends. Supposedly, I have to hope the man suffers and dies to attain my partisan wishes. Oh how sucky. Well, I don't. As I said in my first post, good health to the man. I don't believe, firstly, that the senator's illness represents a genuine opportunity for the Republicans to take back this house; I don't believe, secondly, that the health of our Republic depends upon the GOP holding either house; and I don't believe, thirdly, that its a good idea to hope for political control thru congenital defect, though that's probably arguable. The citizens of South Dakota must decide if their representation is adequate, according to their laws and their senator's well-being, because they are the ones who hold most interest in the matter, not me, not the senator, not the senator's family or well-wishers, and not you up there in Alberta.

Gary Sisco · December-18th-2006, 08:57 AM

Hey, I agree with Monte!

The Law of Averages baby

Gentle Giant · December-18th-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

If he's debilitated, the Republicans are going to say against precedent that it's important that all members of Congress enjoy the full spectrum of human cognitive abilities.

Against all documented evidence, as well.

Frankly, I don't know the guy, never heard his name, don't know whether he's a good guy or a dick. As I said earlier, I wish him well for his sake and ours. for the most part, and I didn't see any of the roundtable shows yesterday, it seems like the Repubs are jerking off in private as opposed to making overt claims that veggies can't serve. It's still wait and see, so that's what I'm going to do.

patricia · December-18th-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Against all documented evidence, as well.

Frankly, I don't know the guy, never heard his name, don't know whether he's a good guy or a dick. As I said earlier, I wish him well for his sake and ours. for the most part, and I didn't see any of the roundtable shows yesterday, it seems like the Repubs are jerking off in private as opposed to making overt claims that veggies can't serve. It's still wait and see, so that's what I'm going to do.

That's all I'm saying GG. Monte's contention that because I don't live in your country this doesn't concern me is wrong. We in Canada are very affected by decisions which are made in your country.

Gary Sisco · December-18th-2006, 10:21 AM

I thought you weren't coming back here anymore, even if dragged?

Gentle Giant · December-18th-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

I thought you weren't coming back here anymore, even if dragged?

Sounds more like he's drugged.

Welcome back, Scott, but sounds like you're only planning to be back a short while.