Democrat SD Senator Tim Johnson Has A Stroke?
Drudge has a headline up now. Terrible news, and I feel for both Johnson and his family.
Politically, this could mean a emerging tie for the Republicans in the Senate. If Johnson steps down he’ll be replaced by an appointee from South Dakota’s Governor, Mike Rounds, who is a Republican.
But also worth considering is the fact that Wyoming’s Republican Senator Craig Thomas is currently suffering from leukemia and may resign, in which case that state’s Democrat Governor, Dave Freudenthal, would appoint his replacement.
So don’t go licking your chops quite yet, partisans. If the worst happens and both of these men resign their offices at most it will be a wash. But how about we set aside partisan politics and hope that both make a full recovery?
Update: The Fargo Forum has more, calling Johnson’s ailment a “possible stroke” and making it sound as though medical experts were trying to determine if a stroke is even what it was.
Which, to me, makes this sound not as serious as I previously thought. Which is a good thing.
Update: The Wall Street Journal:
As Mr. Johnson’s family gathered at the hospital last night, his office wasn’t making public details of his condition. In late afternoon, a brief statement said he had suffered a “possible stroke” and was being evaluated by a stroke team.
Later, a spokeswoman for Mr. Johnson said he hadn’t suffered a stroke or a heart attack. “He continues to undergo testing and procedures” at the hospital, the spokeswoman said in an email. “We expect to have more information in the morning.”
Also, as per the comments, Sen. Thomas of Wyoming doesn’t really figure into this as that state’s law requires the Governor to replace a resigned Senator with someone from the same political party.
