Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) had a stroke this afternoon.
Josh:
"...control of the senate hinges on Sen. Johnson's ability to serve in the 110th Congress. Were he unable to do so, South Dakota's Republican governor would appoint a Republican and control would go to the Republicans -- a 50 - 50 tie with the tie break from Cheney. That's all we're going to say about that point until we get some definitive word on Johnson's condition."
11 comments:
Oh, fuuuuuuck!!!! Maybe that'll be incentive to impeach Darth first.
please pray to your chosen deity, or the FSM or whatever the hell it takes.
good point about impeachment.
I thought his symptoms sounded like a TIA, stuttering speech, which is like a stroke whose effects last less than 24 hours. This distinction might be used to say he did not have a stroke. However, oftentimes the mechanism is the same. He will have tests. Possible surgery. Possible anti coagulation medication. He may be out for a few weeks before the term starts to get all this done.
Then again, it could be something else.
From ABC.com :
WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was undergoing surgery early Thursday after being admitted to the hospital with symptoms of a stroke weeks before his party is slated to take control of the Senate by a one-vote margin.
There was no word on the nature of the surgery which began late Wednesday and lasted past midnight or Johnson's condition.
. . . more . . .
I guess he had an AVM, an arterial-venous malformation. They did surgery, evacuated bleeding.
Why does his state allow the Governor to replace their Senators with members of some other party. Is that common? Could this happen in any state?
HAHAHAHA. I guess god really wants republicans in the house. :)
What you reap is what you sown.
Constitutional question.
If Senator Johnson has to resign for health reasons and the Governor appoints a Republican to replace him, if only for 90 days till a special election, can Darth Cheney vote on Articles of his own Impeachment, or does he have to recuse himself?
romunov! that's not funny!
Damn straight, that's not funny.
Fortunately, he's out of surgery and apparently doing very well. However, as long as he is alive, regardless of the condition of his health, he cannot be forced to resign, thank goodness.
Darth Cheney can't vote on Articles of Impeachment because those come from the House. Any trial in the Senate is presided over by the Chief Justice, so it is an interesting question about whether or not a 'tie breaker' is even an issue in such a circumstance when the Senate is not voting on legislation but is functioning as a 100-member jury. The concept of a hung jury comes to mind. Interesting question.
(btw - steven - thanx for the expert commentary)
Phew, then, but a 100 member jury gets to vote too, no?
I was going to suggest that Dems make impeachment their 100 days goal, especially if there's a special election in SD within 90 days. Let's hope Senator Johnson recovers well.
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