Conspiracy theorist in me suspects Bush, GOP...

[Killick]

Just kidding about the headline, but...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. 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."

"At this stage he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," the statement said. Staffers said that Johnson was conscious when he was transported to the hospital.

A lawyer and longtime state lawmaker, Johnson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. He served five terms before he was elected to the Senate in 1996.

He is the senior senator from South Dakota and serves on numerous committees, including appropriations, budget, banking, energy and natural resources, and Indian affairs.

Should Johnson not be able to complete his term, which ends in 2008, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, could appoint his replacement, which could shift the balance of power in the Senate.

Johnson battled prostate cancer in 2004, and after surgery, tests showed he no longer had the disease, according to his Web site.

Someone better start prepping to talk Fenian off a ledge if that happens...

 

[Point of Order]

Beat me by a minute:

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/35150/

 

[Killick]

Ha. Damn, Point, we're good.

 

[Oz]

AP just moved this news alert minutes ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman says Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack.

 

[Columbo]

AP just moved this news alert minutes ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman says Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack.

Anyone see Frank Langella in the vicinity?

 

[PopeDirkBenedict]

AP just moved this news alert minutes ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman says Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack.

Anyone see Frank Langella in the vicinity?

Well ****ing played. Great reference to Dave.

 

[Columbo]

AP just moved this news alert minutes ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman says Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack.

Anyone see Frank Langella in the vicinity?

Well ****ing played. Great reference to Dave.

thx, pontiff

 

[steveu]

I'd like to see the Senate back in GOP hands, but NOT like this. Here's hoping Tim has a speedy recovery from whatever the heck it is he had.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Casn somebody send up a quart of Jameson's?
It's ****ing freezing up here.

 

[MileHigh]

BC-APNewsAlertWASHINGTON — South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson undergoes
surgery, Democratic source says.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

BC-APNewsAlertWASHINGTON — South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson undergoes
surgery, Democratic source says.

Get well soon, Sen. Johnson.

 

[The Big Ragu]

AP just moved this news alert minutes ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman says Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack.

Anyone see Frank Langella in the vicinity?

Now THAT was funny.

 

[Football_Bat]

Naw, it would be easier for the GOP to convince one of the Dixiecrats to switch sides.

So what is wrong with the fellow?

 

[D-Backs Hack]

Has someone rushed a videotape to Bill Frist for his diagnosis?

 

[DocTalk]

Not a good story for the senator. Having a brain bleed from an AVM is scary stuff. I hope he recovers well and can return to normal function.

 

[terrier]

Narm! Narm! Narm!

 

[Football_Bat]

Has someone rushed a videotape to Bill Frist for his diagnosis?

Too late. Dr. Bill only makes diagnoses from the well of the Senate, and his term is up.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Democrats if South Dakota governor does not select a reasonable replacement, you start the impeachment process.

 

[zeke12]

If Johnson cannot serve, I honestly don't know who Rounds would appoint, besides himself.

The Republicans in the state -- despite an overwhelming edge in registered voters -- barely scared up a sacrificial lamb named Bruce Whalen in the house race this year, and he got clobbered 70-30 by Stephanie Herseth.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Incapacitated is a relative thing. Both Biden and Specter missed chunks of their terms because of illness, and Thurmond hung on until he was nearly 100, even though everybody in the Senate knew he was virtually vegetative. Those are the ones I can think of. If Johnson comes through the surgery OK, he can keep his seat, even if his recovery's prolonged. That takes Rounds off the hook, too.
Isn't this what Breslin had?