South Dakota Senator in critical condition

[Kefka]

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) underwent emergency brain surgery overnight after falling ill at the Capitol and was in critical condition early this morning, introducing a note of uncertainty over control of the Senate just weeks before Democrats are to take over with a one-vote margin.

Johnson, 59, was taken to George Washington University Hospital early yesterday afternoon, shortly after becoming disoriented during a conference call with news reporters. He underwent "a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," his office said. Aides later said he had not suffered a stroke or heart attack.

Nursing supervisor Quinn Collins said early today that the senator was out of surgery and in critical condition. Hospital officials and Johnson aides offered no further comment or details; a more complete statement was expected later this morning.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/14/AR2006121400379.html


Prayers to him and his family.

[Sean of the Thread]

CIA pwnt his brain.

[Parkbandit]

The news this morning was pathetic. They spent 1 minute talking about his condition and possible causes and about 20 minutes about the balance of power.

WTF?

A guy is fighting for his life and all people can do is worry about the Senate being split. Fucking politics suck.

[Xaerve]

The news this morning was pathetic. They spent 1 minute talking about his condition and possible causes and about 20 minutes about the balance of power.

WTF?

A guy is fighting for his life and all people can do is worry about the Senate being split. Fucking politics suck.

QFT -- I thought the same thing this morning man. Disgusted me too.

[Gan]

ITS A CONSPIRACY MAN!

[Celephais]

The news this morning was pathetic. They spent 1 minute talking about his condition and possible causes and about 20 minutes about the balance of power.

WTF?

A guy is fighting for his life and all people can do is worry about the Senate being split. Fucking politics suck.

I'm just worried if Steven Colbert has gotten to Better Know him yet...

[HarmNone]

From what I can gather, the senator suffered from AVM, a congenital condition in which there is malformation of blood vessels in the brain. He probably didn't even know he had it until it caused bleeding in his brain which resulted in his symptoms.

I'm not familiar with the condition but, according to my mother, surgery is usually successful with AVM because the malformation is surrounded by inactive brain tissue, making its removal less problematic. Any patient is considered critical after brain surgery, so that's not unusual. They'll monitor for increasing pressure inside the cranium and for further bleeding and that can only be done in a critical care area.

[xtc]

The news this morning was pathetic. They spent 1 minute talking about his condition and possible causes and about 20 minutes about the balance of power.

WTF?

A guy is fighting for his life and all people can do is worry about the Senate being split. Fucking politics suck.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[Kriztian]

As Tim Russert explained yesterday, there is precedence for this situation happening, and as long as the senator does not give up his seat (assuming he is able to comprehend the situation), the Dems can prevent an appointment by the Republican Governor and thereby prevent a Republican majority from happening (Dick Cheney being the tie-breaker). It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few to several weeks.

I, too, was pretty appalled at how the discussion immediately turned toward a balance of power. But I was not surprised, in the slightest...

[TheEschaton]

Maybe the Republican Gov'r will actually do the right thing and appoint a Democrat to replace a Democrat....

...bring back Daschle.....

...Hmmmm.

-TheE-

[Back]

As Tim Russert explained yesterday, there is precedence for this situation happening, and as long as the senator does not give up his seat (assuming he is able to comprehend the situation), the Dems can prevent an appointment by the Republican Governor and thereby prevent a Republican majority from happening (Dick Cheney being the tie-breaker). It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few to several weeks.

I, too, was pretty appalled at how the discussion immediately turned toward a balance of power. But I was not surprised, in the slightest...

Nor was I. Its very unfortunate this happened, but you also have to look at the larger picture. If the man is incapable of doing his job then someone really needs to be there to do it. Its a republican governor, its no surprise he would select a republican candidate. Hopefully he listens to the people of the constituency rather than hard party lines, because those are the people who made their voice heard on election day.

[TheEschaton]

Considering the SD voters didn't make their voice heard about their Senators at all on Election Day, and in their last one, they replaced Daschle with their current Republican senator.

Edited to add: ....I realized I didn't make that a complete sentence. Considering all those things...the Gov'r could reason otherwise.

-TheE-

[Back]

Considering the SD voters didn't make their voice heard about their Senators at all on Election Day, and in their last one, they replaced Daschle with their current Republican senator.

Edited to add: ....I realized I didn't make that a complete sentence. Considering all those things...the Gov'r could reason otherwise.

-TheE-

Daschle was a douche. I’m sorry. He just had no spine. But I’m pretty sure this guy beat an incumbent republican.

Truth is, if he is incapacitated, it will go republican. Its like a bad call in a football game. You know its a bad call, but you just have to go with it. I’d really rather someone in the position who was able to do the job, IF they actually did the job those people voted for.

[HarmNone]

From what I've read in news reports, the senator is responding appropriately to voice and touch. That's a very good sign this soon after brain surgery. The next 48 hours will be critical, but it appears he's doing well at this point in time.

[Parkbandit]

Hopefully he listens to the people of the constituency rather than hard party lines, because those are the people who made their voice heard on election day.


lol. Do you read the stuff you post?

You are telling the Governor to go against party lines... by nominating someone along party lines to the one that was elected?

How convenient for you. Thankfully, there are many in this country that vote for the candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Tim Johnson, the man, was elected.. not Democrat, the party.

Personally.. I hope Tim Johnson, the man, gets well and is able to return to work.

[Parkbandit]

Daschle was a douche. I’m sorry. He just had no spine. But I’m pretty sure this guy beat an incumbent republican.

Truth is, if he is incapacitated, it will go republican. Its like a bad call in a football game. You know its a bad call, but you just have to go with it. I’d really rather someone in the position who was able to do the job, IF they actually did the job those people voted for.


/agree with Daschle

But the seat will remain in Democrat hands. No way Reid will allow him to step down, even if it means leaving that chair open for 6 years.

[Back]

lol. Do you read the stuff you post?

You are telling the Governor to go against party lines... by nominating someone along party lines to the one that was elected?

How convenient for you. Thankfully, there are many in this country that vote for the candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Tim Johnson, the man, was elected.. not Democrat, the party.

Personally.. I hope Tim Johnson, the man, gets well and is able to return to work.

Yes, I do read what I post. You however are having a hard time.

I didn’t say he should appoint a democrat, dumbass. Just someone with as close to the same views as Johnson. Its the people of the constituency that I am focusing on, not the party.

[Parkbandit]

Yes, I do read what I post. You however are having a hard time.

I didn’t say he should appoint a democrat, dumbass. Just someone with as close to the same views as Johnson. Its the people of the constituency that I am focusing on, not the party.

Yea.. that's what you said.


Hopefully he listens to the people of the constituency rather than hard party lines, because those are the people who made their voice heard on election day.

Sounds to me you are saying that he hopefully nominates a Democrat.

[Kefka]

Previous cases
The Senate historian's office cites several examples of a senator being incapacitated for years and remaining in office.

Most recently, Sen. Karl Mundt (coincidentally, also from South Dakota) suffered a stroke in 1969 and was incapacitated, but he refused to step down. He remained in office until January 1973, when his term expired. Mundt was pressured repeatedly to step down during his illness, but he demanded that the governor promise to appoint his wife. The governor refused, and Mundt remained in office.

Another example was Sen. Carter Glass, D-Va. Glass had a heart condition that prevented him from working for most of his last term after his re-election in 1942. Yet Glass refused to resign, and finally died of congestive heart failure in May 1946, in his apartment at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington.


http://ori.msnbc.msn.com/id/16191212/

[zhelas]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson was recovering without complications from emergency brain surgery to repair bleeding in his brain.

Family and colleagues were encouraged by his progress Thursday, yet doctors said it was too early to say whether further surgery would be required.

Johnson suffered a brain hemorrhage Wednesday that was caused by a rare and sometimes fatal condition. His illness came just weeks before Democrats are to take control of the Senate by a one-seat margin.

Johnson was in critical condition at George Washington University Hospital but was described as recovering Thursday. The South Dakota lawmaker, 59, was on "an uncomplicated postoperative course," the U.S. Capitol physician said after visiting him Thursday afternoon.

"He has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required," said the physician, Adm. John Eisold.

Johnson was responding to the voice of his wife, Barbara, and following directions after the surgery, the senator's office said in a statement. "He was reaching for and holding her hand," the statement read.

The family "is encouraged and optimistic," Barbara Johnson said. The senator's two sons, Brooks and Brendan, live out of town but flew in to be with their father. Johnson's daughter Kelsey lives in Washington.

Democrats are preparing to take control of the Senate with a 51-49 majority when the new Congress convenes in three weeks. Democrats seized control of both the House and Senate from Republicans in the Nov. 7 midterm elections.

If Johnson were to leave office, a replacement would be named by South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds. A Republican appointee would create a 50-50 tie and effectively allow the GOP to retain Senate control because of Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking vote.

Johnson was rushed to the George Washington University Hospital at midday Wednesday after becoming disoriented and stammering during a conference call with reporters.

At the hospital Johnson was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst. The condition often is present from birth.

Eisold, the Capitol physician, said doctors stopped bleeding in Johnson's brain and drained the blood that had accumulated there. "It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long-term prognosis," Eisold said.

Dr. William Bank, who treats AVMs and other neurovascular disorders at Washington Hospital Center, said Johnson may need more surgery.

"It probably is not over," Bank said. "For a complete removal of an AVM, you need to be doing your surgery under ideal circumstances," not when the defect is actively bleeding.

On Thursday afternoon, Johnson underwent an additional procedure to prevent blood clots. The procedure is standard after surgery, said Julianne Fisher, Johnson's spokeswoman.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who is to become majority leader when the new Senate convenes Jan. 4, visited Johnson at the hospital Wednesday night and again Thursday. He told reporters the senator "really looks good." However, Reid declined to provide any details of Johnson's medical condition.

"We're all praying for a full recovery," Reid said. "We're confident that will be the case."

Politically, "there isn't a thing that's changed," he said, adding that he was keeping incoming Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky "totally advised" of developments.

Senate historian Donald Ritchie said senators serve out their terms unless they resign or die. He said there was precedent for senators remaining in the Senate even though illness kept them away from the chamber for long periods.

The White House offered best wishes.

"Look, he's a great guy," White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said, "and it's one of these things where everybody's concerned and our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, his staff, his colleagues."

Arteriovenous malformation 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 those have any symptoms. The symptoms, which range in severity, can include severe headaches, memory loss and dizziness.

It's common to take several days for someone to wake up after AVM surgery, said Dr. Sean Grady, neurosurgery chairman at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Someone who is awake and alert and talking in the first day or two typically has a shorter recovery - in the range of four weeks to eight weeks, he said. If it takes longer to wake up, it in turn takes more months to recover.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061215/D8M1A7700.html

[ElanthianSiren]

Read that last night. Considering that our elected officials receive the best health care available in this country, the odds of the man dying, like HN mentioned seemed fairly low, even yesterday. It's a good example of the media taking a senator's personal situation, which was serious but not imminently grave, and attempting to stir public frenzy into a five alarmer over a little match. Prayers to the man at this difficult time and here's hoping that with the best health care, senators get better hospital food. :puke:

-M

[TheEschaton]

Some states, PB, REQUIRE you to replace the departing Senator with a person of the same party. It's not unprecedented, especially when you think that the person who is most likely to represent his views is likely from the same party. So there is kind of an implied reason to go against his (the Gov'r's) party line and nominae someone who represents Johnson's views most.

And his seat would only be filled-yet-not-filled for TWO years, if he decides not to resign.

-TheE-

[Parkbandit]

Some states, PB, REQUIRE you to replace the departing Senator with a person of the same party. It's not unprecedented, especially when you think that the person who is most likely to represent his views is likely from the same party. So there is kind of an implied reason to go against his (the Gov'r's) party line and nominae someone who represents Johnson's views most.

And his seat would only be filled-yet-not-filled for TWO years, if he decides not to resign.

-TheE-

Actually, since it's not some states, it's South Dakota.. there is no implied reason since South Dakota has no such law. It's like saying it's ok to marry a 16 year old in Florida because it's not against the law in West Virginia.

Again... I think you are jumping the gun. Reid will never allow him to step down.. giving up potential control of the Senate. So speculation of who the Gov. might or might not nominate is a waste of time.

[Jesuit]

Again... I think you are jumping the gun. Reid will never allow him to step down.. giving up potential control of the Senate. So speculation of who the Gov. might or might not nominate is a waste of time.

True, even if he was in a coma I think Reid would prop him up and run him like a puppet. I also wonder what people would say if the senator was a republican and the governor was a democrat. Would they tell the governor to replace him with a republican?

[Daniel]

Would it matter?

Wtf ever happened to doing the right thing?

jesus christ.

[Tsa`ah]

Would it matter?

Wtf ever happened to doing the right thing?

jesus christ.

Exactly.

I hope the man pulls through and is able to serve, however ... it would be extremely douchesque of the SD Governor to appoint a rep should Johnson die or step down.

The people of SD spoke and it wasn't in favor of the GOP.

[Parkbandit]

LOL..

Democrats calling for doing the right thing makes me laugh.

I'm with Jesuit... I imagine if the parties were turned, how many of you would really want the Governor to 'do the right thing'?

And before you post "Oh, I would".. don't make me laugh.

[TheEschaton]

I would. ;)

Hope I made you laugh on your BDay, man.

Seriously though, I think you misunderestimate the equitable feelings of Democrats, or at least the ones on this board.

-TheE-

[Daniel]

LOL..

Democrats calling for doing the right thing makes me laugh.

I'm with Jesuit... I imagine if the parties were turned, how many of you would really want the Governor to 'do the right thing'?

And before you post "Oh, I would".. don't make me laugh.

Since when is this a democratic thing? It's not about either party being the moral superior its about whoever is in the position to do so doing the right thing.

I really don't give a shit about the senate in either case. It just kills me that people who would claim the moral superiority rely on the "Well, he won't do it so why should I" argument.

If it's the right thing, you do it because you're the bigger man and not some petulent 5 year old.

[Tsa`ah]

LOL..

Democrats calling for doing the right thing makes me laugh.

I'm with Jesuit... I imagine if the parties were turned, how many of you would really want the Governor to 'do the right thing'?

And before you post "Oh, I would".. don't make me laugh.

I'm not a dem or a rep ... I'm rather independant.

The right thing to do is the right thing to do ... politics should not be a part of the worse case scenario.

[Parkbandit]

Horseshit.

People didn't vote for a party.. they voted for an individual. There are plenty of Republicans that I have voted against.. doesn't make me a Democrat.

The law of the State is pretty clear.. if the Senator is unable to continue with the job, then the governor can select whoever he wants to replace him. No where in any SD law does it state that he has to choose someone of the same party to replace the Senator. So those who claim he should replace him with a Democrat to "do the right thing" are full of shit.

[Gan]

Horseshit.

People didn't vote for a party.. they voted for an individual.

But dont you understand!!!!??? THIS VOTE WUZ A REFERENDUMMMMM AGAINST TEH EVILZ OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!!

Every vote for a Democrat candidate was not for the individual as much as it was AGAINST any Republican running for that office.

TEH VOICE OF TEH PEOPLE SHALL NOT BEE DENIED!

Please put your rose colored glasses back on before you post such nonsense.

[TheEschaton]

An individual with Democratic beliefs. Which would be most probably be best reflected in....a Democrat.

And Gan, please....he was voted in in 2002, not this past election. He was not a part of the "referendum of America".

-TheE-

[Parkbandit]

And if a Republican Governor would to go against his constitutes and nominate a Democrat, it would be going against those who put that Governor into office.

He should do the 'right thing' and nominate a Republican.

Or wait.. is it only doing the right thing when it pleases your viewpoint?

Thanks.

PS - Tim Johnson seems to have come out of the surgery ok, so this is all a moot point.

[Gan]

And Gan, please....he was voted in in 2002, not this past election. He was not a part of the "referendum of America".

-TheE-

HE WAS A TRENDSETTER!!! BECAUSE HE WAS A DEMOCRAT HE COULD PREDICT THE FUTURE!!!

[xtc]

Horseshit.

People didn't vote for a party.. they voted for an individual. There are plenty of Republicans that I have voted against.. doesn't make me a Democrat.

The law of the State is pretty clear.. if the Senator is unable to continue with the job, then the governor can select whoever he wants to replace him. No where in any SD law does it state that he has to choose someone of the same party to replace the Senator. So those who claim he should replace him with a Democrat to "do the right thing" are full of shit.

Some people vote the party, some people vote the person. Regardless of the law, the right thing to do would be a by-election as we call it in Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By-election

If I was a constituent in South Dakota that would be what I would want.

[Parkbandit]

Some people vote the party, some people vote the person. Regardless of the law, the right thing to do would be a by-election as we call it in Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By-election

If I was a constituent in South Dakota that would be what I would want.

Well Christ... let's get that law change because some Canadian thinks that is the way it should be. Damn xtc.. why didn't you say this at the beginning? You could have saved us all a ton of time debating this.

The right thing to do.. as you call it.. would be ( and once again... it won't happen, so we're just debating a what if) to follow the law of South Dakota and have the Governor nominate the individual he believes should be the next congressman. No where in the law does it state that he should choose a specific party.

[TheEschaton]

And we're arguing about what he believes...or should believe. ;)

-TheE-

[xtc]

Well Christ... let's get that law change because some Canadian thinks that is the way it should be. Damn xtc.. why didn't you say this at the beginning? You could have saved us all a ton of time debating this.

The right thing to do.. as you call it.. would be ( and once again... it won't happen, so we're just debating a what if) to follow the law of South Dakota and have the Governor nominate the individual he believes should be the next congressman. No where in the law does it state that he should choose a specific party.


Some how dubbing me a Canadian is suppose to marginalise my opinion. Well I suppose I receive the same treatment in Canada because I am an American.

According to wikipedia by-elections occur in America as well.

"In the United States they are called special elections, and are held when a seat in Congress or state legislature is vacant and there is a long period (typically six months) until the next regular election."

BTW Glad to see I have given you something to add to your signature.

[Ilvane]

Oh the Republicans were salivating when this came up. Almost felt them hovering.

Thankfully, he seems to be doing well, and should be recovering, especially for his family and loved ones around the holidays.

Angela

[Latrinsorm]

Oh the Republicans were salivating when this came up. Almost felt them hovering.Which Republicans?

[Parkbandit]

Oh the Republicans were salivating when this came up. Almost felt them hovering.


Angela

Please quote your source or I'll consider you full of shit.

On second thought... save yourself the posting time.

[Parkbandit]

Some how dubbing me a Canadian is suppose to marginalise my opinion. Well I suppose I receive the same treatment in Canada because I am an American.

According to wikipedia by-elections occur in America as well.

"In the United States they are called special elections, and are held when a seat in Congress or state legislature is vacant and there is a long period (typically six months) until the next regular election."

BTW Glad to see I have given you something to add to your signature.


Seriously.. is it that hard to fucking understand something so simple? Here:



In South Dakota, the governor enjoys wide latitude in appointing somebody to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, latitude granted by the U.S. Constitution and South Dakota state law, experts say.

I can quote all sorts of laws from other states, other countries.. doesn't mean it has any fucking bearing about the laws of South Dakota.

You can't just change state law because it doesn't suit your purpose, your cause or your party's affiliation.

And you are welcome about the signature. It's a classic line that should come in handly in the near future.

[xtc]

Seriously.. is it that hard to fucking understand something so simple? Here:


I can quote all sorts of laws from other states, other countries.. doesn't mean it has any fucking bearing about the laws of South Dakota.

You can't just change state law because it doesn't suit your purpose, your cause or your party's affiliation.

I am not a lawyer but it seems by-elections or special elections aren't without foundation in these situations in South Dakota.

"Special election to fill congressional vacancy--Time of election of representative. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a senator or representative in the United States Congress it shall be the duty of the Governor within ten days of the occurrence, to issue a proclamation setting the date of and calling for a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy. If either a primary or general election is to be held within six months, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress shall be held in conjunction with that election, otherwise the election shall be held not less than eighty nor more than ninety days after the vacancy occurs"

http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=12-11-1


And you are welcome about the signature. It's a classic line that should come in handly in the near future.

I hope it serves you well. Please ensure you are in a free speech zone when using it.

[TheEschaton]

Huh, if that's the law, why are they saying the Gov'r has to appoint someone?

-TheE-

[HarmNone]

Huh, if that's the law, why are they saying the Gov'r has to appoint someone?

-TheE-

Good question, that! :thinking:

[Parkbandit]

My guess is that xtc did a google search on South Dakota senator replace, found this entry and decided against all the media coverage on the subject and decided this was

I'm pretty sure that most of the media outlets did this same thing, did a little more digging than just the one google search and came up with the way SD laws actually are to all come to the conclusion that the Governor decides who the next Senator will be.

With the liberal bias of the US media.. don't you think we would have heard if this was the case?

[TheEschaton]

Ummm, I did check it on Westlaw, and it does seem to be current law. Section 12-11-1 of the South Dakota General Laws.

-TheE-

[xtc]

I have done some more checking and the Governor can appointment someone to replace the Senator until a special election is held, which must be within 90 days of the vacancy, unless a General election is going to be held within 6months.

12-11-4. Temporary appointment by Governor to fill vacancy in United States Senate. Pursuant to the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, the Governor may fill by temporary appointment, until a special election is held pursuant to this chapter, vacancies in the office of senator in the Senate of the United States.

http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=12-11-4