http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/13/johnson.stroke/index.htmlSen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, was hospitalized Wednesday after he suffered stroke-like symptoms in his Washington office, his staff said.
Johnson, who turns 60 on December 28, was taken to George Washington University Hospital by ambulance about 11:30 a.m., sources in his office said.
A statement issued by Johnson's office said he was suffering from a "possible stroke." But a spokeswoman later said that tests showed Johnson had suffered neither a stroke nor a heart attack, although it was not clear what had happened. (Listen to Johnson's difficulty speaking during a WNAX radio interview [MP3, 749 kb] -- :38)
Julianne Fisher, a spokeswoman for Johnson, told CNN he was still undergoing tests and will stay hospitalized overnight, but she would not characterize his condition.
"We're taking one day at a time," Fisher said, "saying a lot of prayers and waiting until morning."
Staff members said that Johnson was conscious when he was taken to the hospital.
If Johnson were to pass away, or be forced to retire, the US Constitution delegates the task of appointing a replacement to South Dakota lawmakers, who in turn, often turn that task over to the Governor. The Governor of that state, Mike Rounds, is a Republican, and both houses of the state legislature are dominated by Republicans.
In the case of South Dakota, the decision would fall to Rounds, whose appointment would serve as senator until 2008 at which point Johnson's seat would have been up for election anyhow.
Originally posted by: Craig234
I hope he's ok, too. I'd heard a rumor that if the Senate went 50 50, that Olympia Snow might move to the democrats. Hopeefully that's correct.
In an ideal world that is true. But it is damn near impossible to find out how some canidates will represent your state. All you can find out is what party they are from. And that is the way politicians want it to be. Heck, with the R party you have to lie and sign that you will vote on their agenda no matter what you think nor what your constituents think if you want the Rs to support you in the election with money and benefits.Originally posted by: BDawg
You vote for how they represent your state, not for their party. What should someone do when the party he ran under is not the party that exists today? Wait a possible 5 years?
Originally posted by: Genx87
I assume the gov of S Dakota appoints somebody until an election if he is forced to resign due to his condition?
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I wonder if the governor of SD would honor the will of the voters and appoint a Democrat to fill the vacancy.
Yes, I highly doubt it too.
Originally posted by: BDawg
You vote for how they represent your state, not for their party.
Originally posted by: Craig234
I hope he's ok, too. I'd heard a rumor that if the Senate went 50 50, that Olympia Snow might move to the democrats. Hopeefully that's correct.
Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Originally posted by: Craig234
I hope he's ok, too. I'd heard a rumor that if the Senate went 50 50, that Olympia Snow might move to the democrats. Hopeefully that's correct.
It should be illegal for lawmakers to change party while in office.
Youre voted in on one party/platform and then switch to another?
Thats fraud. Once you are up for re-election you can do what you want.
Originally posted by: Corbett
Hrmmm, I wonder how long it will take before this starts to get blamed on Bush/Rove/Rebuplicans as another way the "culture of corruption" steals the power.
In all seriousness though, I hope he pulls through. My prayers are with him.
Originally posted by: International Machine Consortium
Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Originally posted by: Craig234
I hope he's ok, too. I'd heard a rumor that if the Senate went 50 50, that Olympia Snow might move to the democrats. Hopeefully that's correct.
It should be illegal for lawmakers to change party while in office.
Youre voted in on one party/platform and then switch to another?
Thats fraud. Once you are up for re-election you can do what you want.
It should be illegal for a governor to subvert the will of the people by putting a Republican in where a Dem got elected.
Originally posted by: BDawg
CNN is now reporting that it was not a stroke and not a heart attack. No link, they were talking about it when I was eating dinner.