What news is reporting is as if he has to leave office. Has anybody considered that it might not be THAT serious??

There are many people that recover very well from mild strokes.

BUT if it is bad, we lose the majority in the senate :(

Depending on the nature of the stroke, he will be at a minimum hospitalized for some indefinite time and unable to work much, if at all. It may be extremely mild and he can bounce back. Or maybe not. Certainly sounds more serious if they are reporting it. If it really was a minor, itsy-bitsy stroke, we probably wouldn't be hearing about it.

Don't panic it was caught so earily in the process if it was a stroke they reversed it.

Here's a link from TPM:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20061213/NEWS/61213029

It quotes Herseth as saying it's serious, but also reports that Johnson became disoriented during a conference call, recovered and closed the call, then walked back to his office where he continued to feel ill at which point a Capitol Hill physician was called and he was taken to the hospital where he is apparently undergoing tests. This story makes no mention of Johnson collapsing or losing consciousness or any other very servere symptom.

Given that Arlen Specter, 15 years older, survived a brain tumor and 6-8 months of chemo for stage 4 lymphoma, I'd say Sen Johnson has a good chance to pull through.

In any events, the most important thing is that Johnson get the best medical care possible and make as full a recovery as he can. My thoughts go out to him and his family.

Johnson sounds alert and togwther, certainly as much as Strom Thurmond was towards the end.  One repercussion is that Johnson's seat comes up for re-election in 2008.  

Softball: given that we know (as oppose to surmise or have read) fuck all about what's going on, we should leave the poor man and his family to see to his care for the while.

(Shades of the Video Doctor here that I find just a tad revolting.)

Hardball: suppose Johnson is alive but incapable of carrying on the normal work of a senator. (Fighting off lobbyists, working the phones for contributions...)

Let's hope (extra softball) that he's in a condition to enjoy a peaceful life away from the souk-cum-sewer that is official DC.

What then? Clearly, under no circumstances should he resign.

According to the plain words of Art 3 §4 of the SD Constitution, the Governor can appoint a US Senator only in case of a vacancy. Incapacity is not provided for.

(There may be other provisions in the SD Constitution or statutes that would allow an appointment in the event of incapacity - this piece doesn't mention any.)

There is no provision in the US Constitution or Federal law that covers the case either (that I'm aware of).

Historically, the afflictions of old age (even the likes of dementia) have been no bar to continued membership of the Senate. Senators are not actually required to do anything to keep occupying their office and getting paid (again, that I'm aware of).

At the worst - we are playing hardball here: I'm assuming sensitive souls have already stopped reading - the guy goes into PVS: as long as he's not dead (as relevantly defined), he's still a senator.

Let's hope that, whatever it is wrong with him, Johnson is up and doing and sound of mind and body by the time that swearing-in comes round.

The Dem Senate leadership would have a particular reason, beyond natural human feelings and affection for a colleague, to hope the same.

As someone pointed out upthread, Johnson is Class II and up in 08. Let the 111th look after itself for a while, I'd say.

You may also recall that Harry Reid had a slight stroke a few months back from which he suffered no apparent permanent effect.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/08/19/r eid.stroke/index.html

A previous message crudely noted that senators sometimes stay on under reduced capacity, and I think they kept Strom Thurmond's corpse alive for years.

But seriously, let us hope that Senator Johnson will recover from whatever ails him, for his own sake and for that of his family, constituents, and the country.

If a stroke is caught early, often negative effects are limited, and sometimes reversible.

I'm a Patriots fan. Teddy Bruschi had a stroke 18 months ago, after the season ended. And he came back the next season, and is fine now.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Senator and his family. But let's also keep our fingers crossed.

NancyS

http://politicalinsider.com/2006/12/upda te_on_johnsons_condition.html

I wish Senator Johnson well, and certainly think he should resign if that's what's best for his health.  There's a silver lining, though.  If this leads to a GOP majority, "Yloh" ("holy" backwards) Joe Lieberman is finished.  No demanding that progressives kiss his foot or his butt as his price for not joining his buddies in the GOP.

I hope this is true. link

the man will be fine if he has GWU doctors behind him.

it's a serious situation but give his JOHNSON heart some time and send support to him and his staff as they will be under due stress going forward in the short term.

Life and health, like political majorities and coalitions, are fragile.

Whatever the state of his physical organs, this is a man with plenty of "heart" who has done good service for our party and will do much more.

Get well soon, Senator.

they are now saying it was not a stroke or heart attack.  don't know what but, not as serious

Wait, if they could keep Bunning (with Alzheimer) and Thurmond (senility and possibly zombieism) why can't we keep our senator? Unless he dies, we'll be up 50-49 in the Senate!

Who's the Repub senator with leukemia?

I'm just curious, because he's toward the older end of the normal age range for a first cardiovascular episode.  Plus, frankly, if politicians can hide a stroke (I still think Bush had one in 2004) they do.

Sure sounds like a stroke.  

But if he's walking and talking back to office, likely a mild one and quick to hospital.

Reid had a stroke earlier and he's back and working.

Scary though...we are heartbeat away from Cheney in charge again...just when we thought it was safe...they drag us back in.

If he had what's called a transient ischemic attack, then the country has been placed in the hands of an unknown surgeon performing a "routine" operation: carotid endarterectomy.

Pray.

CBS is reporting: "Sources close to the situation tell CBS News the situation is definitely not good." No one else is reporting that.

The NYTimes is reporting that he went into surgery at approximately 11pm.  Emergent CEA (Carotid Endarterectomy) is not indicated for TIAs.  Depending on the extent of the plaque, you can get surgery for a TIA, but it usually doesn't occur the day of the "mini stroke."  If he's in surgery right now, my best guess is that he's had a hemorrhagic stroke (an aneurysm).  This is something distinct from a ischemic stroke (the classic idea of a blood clot in the brain).  Furthermore, I'd say the surgery is either 1) to clip the aneurysm 2) a craniectomy to relieve pressure on the brain.  

People have already considered the politics if the news is bad. But what if the news is good -- I want to believe it will be -- and Johnson recovers but decides, understandably, not to run again? Can Herseth win the seat?

Honestly, and not to be morbid, intra-cranial hemorrhages have an incredibly high associated mortality.  Something on the order of 35-55%.    

It maybe a reaccurance of the cancer. If it's not a heart attack

or stroke

I'll bet Ann Coulter is at the church of conservatism right now praying for the worst.../snark

My thoughts and prayers go out to Sen. Johnson and his family for a speedy recovery.

Now I'm hearing he's not in surgery and just staying in the hospital overnight for observation

The NYT article says he will be in surgery "until the early morning hours". That could be serious.

The same article also mentions that 9 U.S. Senators have taken extended absences (some for several years) since 1942.

According to information from the Senate historian cited on CQ.com, at least nine senators have taken extended absences from the Senate for health reasons since 1942. Robert F. Wagner, Democrat of New York, was unable to attend any sessions of the 80th or 81st Congress from 1947 to 1949 because of a heart ailment. Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., Democrat of Delaware, missed about seven months in 1988 after surgery for a brain aneurysm. And David Pryor, Democrat of Arkansas, suffered a heart attack in April 1991 and returned to the Senate in September that year.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/14/washin gton/14senate.html?hp&ex=1166158800& amp;en=31cc4a084f3ef964&ei=5094& partner=homepage

There are no legal ways that he could be removed from office because of his illness. A brief history of some previous cases indicates that some stayed in office for many years even if they never were able to return to the Capitol. The only case where there was a removal was Cong. Gladys Spellman of Maryland who was reelected even though she was in a coma. The seat was declared vacant apparently because she could not be sworn into office for another term.  

he only way the Senate can remove a member is by a vote to expel, and there has never been any desire to do that for a health-related cause. Sen. Karl Mundt (R-S.D.) suffered a debilitating stroke in 1969 but refused to resign and stayed in office until his term expired in January 1973 - although he never showed up for work following his infirmity. Republicans pressured Mundt to step down shortly before the 1970 elections, when it appeared the GOP was going to lose the governorship, and with it their ability to appoint a Senate successor. There was never talk of a motion to expel, though the Republican Conference eventually did strip him of his committee assignments. In November of that year, a Democrat was elected governor, so the Republicans who were urging Mundt's resignation turned to hoping he would serve until his term expired.

There were other, similar situations. Rep. John Grotberg (R-Ill.) lapsed into a coma in January 1986 after participation in an experimental program for his colon cancer caused him to have a heart seizure. His family and staff refused to consider resignation, and the House took no action. He even won re-nomination to the House in the March GOP primary that year, but his family finally relented and announced he would not run again. He remained a member of the House until his death in November 1986.

In the spring of 1964, Sen. Clair Engle (D-Calif.) was dying of brain cancer, but refused Democratic entreaties to resign. In June, when the Senate voted to break the filibuster that had stymied the civil rights bill, the dying Engle was wheeled onto the Senate floor to vote for cloture by motioning with his hand. He died a month later.

In the spring of 1943, Sen. Carter Glass (D-Va.) was 85 years old, in poor health and simply stopped coming to work. He died in May of 1946, still a senator but no longer a visitor to Capitol Hill. And according to Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-W.Va.) invaluable book of Senate historical statistics, Sen. James Grimes (R-Iowa) suffered a stroke in 1869 and remained in office as an invalid until his death in February of 1872. But there was no move in the Senate to declare any of the aforementioned seats vacant.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/pol itics/campaigns/junkie/archive/junkie042 001.htm

Here's some info on the symptoms that are associated with a brain tumor:

http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/s urviving/diagnosis/

1. What are the symptoms of a brain tumor? Interactive Tour of Brain

The most common symptoms include headaches, which can be most severe in the morning; nausea or vomiting, which can be most severe in the morning; seizures or convulsions; difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words; personality changes; weakness or paralysis in one part or one side of the body; loss of balance; vision changes; confusion and disorientation; and memory loss. Different parts of the brain control different functions, so symptoms will vary depending on the tumor's location.

While these are the most common symptoms of a brain tumor, they can also indicate other medical problems. If you are having any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor and get a definitive diagnosis.

----------------------------------------

Here's info from the Mayo Clinic on brain anerysms:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-a neurysm/DS00582/DSECTION=2

An unruptured brain aneurysm may produce no symptoms, particularly if it's small. However, a large aneurysm may press on brain tissues and nerves, possibly causing a droopy eyelid or double vision.

Once an aneurysm ruptures, signs and symptoms may include:

   * Sudden, severe headache
    * Nausea and vomiting
    * Stiff neck

Less common signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include:

   * Sensitivity to light
    * Seizure
    * Loss of consciousness
---------------------------------------- -
Brain tumor seema to fit with the symptoms Sen Johnson had. Since the hospital has ruled out stroke and heart attack after tests, it seems a tumor would be the most likely culprit. Surgery would take a long time, especially brain surgery. (I know my octagenarian dad had minimally invasive surgery for AAA and was in the OR for about three hours.)

If it is a brain tumor, Sen Specter had one, had it successfully removed and survived it about 10-12 years ago.

The Sioux Falls Argus-Leader is reporting at 5:30 AM that Tim Johnson underwent brain surgery for an 'intracerebral bleed."

The operation lasted around six hours.  Anything labelled brain surgery has to be serious.

Earlier reports from that SD paper indicated that Governor Mike Rounds wanted to replace Johnson for "incapacity."  the article disappeared by morning and was replaced with a later article that stated that research by the state's legislative researcher and Secretary of state Chris Nelson indicated that this was not possible.  South Dakota Republican Senator was incapacitated for a longer stretch starting in 1969.  Bad precedent should Rounds try to pull any stunt.

Per the WP this morning.  So far things sound good.  Hopefully we've dodged a bullet.

Apparently an obvious congenital condition so not some kind of unexplained polonium type deal where we'd suspect Cheney of poisoning a Democratic Senator from a state with a Republican governor.

Definitely would not put it past the evil one if he thought he could get away with it.

Lets be clear:  the surgery to evacuate the hematoma (giant blood clot) was successful.  This does NOT mean his condition is not very critical.  Like I said in an earlier post, both the morbidity and mortality associated with an intra-cerebral hemorrhage (whether congenital or acquired) is incredibly high.  My best guess here is that Johnson will not be anywhere near capable of functioning by the time of the swearing in.    

Voter from Abroad reports:

...Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) fell ill yesterday with stroke-like symptoms and was taken to George Washington University Hospital where he was operated on. His sudden illness is not only a medical emergency, but also a political emergency. If he is in danger of dying, he will no doubt be hooked up to life-sustaining medical equipment, in which case a video tape of him could be made and send to Dr. Bill Frist for a diagnosis. Frist, a former heart surgeon and former senator, has extensive experience in telling whether people are alive or dead by viewing videotapes of them.

If Johnson should die before Jan. 4, his successor will be chosen by South Dakota governor Mike Rounds (R), which will tip the Senate back to the Republicans. If he is still alive on Jan. 4, after the Senate has been organized, it is not clear what happens. Normally, when the majority switches midsession, the committee chairmanships do not switch. In 1954, for example, the Republicans started out in control, but after several replacements, there were more Democrats than Republicans in the Senate, but the Republicans retained control of the committee chairmanships. The only exception was in 2001, when the Senate began 50-50 but later Sen. Jim Jeffords (R-VT) became Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT) and the Democrats took control until the 2002 elections.

If a senator is seriously ill and cannot perform his duties, he is still a senator and is not replaced. In 1942, for example, Sen. Robert Wagner (D-NY) did not attend any sessions of the Senate at all due to a heart ailment, but continued to be a member of the Senate.

Looking forward to 2008, we have a complicated situation. Johnson is up for reelection and is without a doubt, the Republicans number 1 target due to the narrowness of his 2002 election. If he is still the incumbent in 2008 and chooses not to run, the obvious Democratic candidate to replace him is Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), the only member of Congress from South Dakota. As such, she has run statewide campaigns before, most recently in 2006, when she won reelection with a whopping 70% of the vote. From her point of view, running statewide for the Senate is no different than running statewide for the House, so she is a popular experienced candidate. Of course, a Senate race will draw a stronger challenger against her, most likely South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R). Of course this is all speculation at this point. Johnson may recover completely and continue to serve.

While we are on the subject of senatorial health, Sen. Craig Thomas (D-WY) has been diagnosed with leukemia and is receiving treatment for it. Should his seat fall vacant, his successor will be appointed by Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D). However, Wyoming law stipulates that the governor must choose the new senator from a list of three candidates drawn up by the incumbent party. Thus in Wyoming, a Senate vacancy never results in the seat switching parties, South Dakota has no such law. Thus we have the assymetric situation of one state (SD) with a Democratic senator and a Republican governor in which the seat would switch parties in the event of a vacancy and another state (WY) with a Republican senator and a Democratic governor in which it would not.

My question is if Johnson isn't able to be present on January 3, and there are 48 Democrats, 2 Indies, and 49 Republicans, do the Democrats still organize the Senate?  I would think so, since they would have a majority vote of 50-49 on organization.  

I remember Johnson's last election.  He faced (now Senator) John Thune and the vote was very tight.  Johnson trailed through the night and the early morning, but the reservation vote came in late and carried him to a very narrow victory.  It was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise disappointing '02 election.

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