Difficult position for RichardSouth Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson fell suddenly ill yesterday and, CNN reports, underwent "brain surgery early Thursday at George Washington University Hospital," according to "two Democratic sources familiar with his condition." The possibility that Johnson may not be able to carry on his duties as a senator has placed a big question mark on the issue of which party will control the Senate.
As USA Today reports, the November election "gave Democrats a 51-49 edge." If Johnson "were unable to complete the remaining two years of his term, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, could appoint a replacement, presumably another Republican. That would deadlock the Senate at 50-50 with Vice President Cheney, a Republican, holding the tie-breaking vote."
Tragic break for Tim Johnson and his family. Tragic for the Democrats. Stroke of luck for the Republicans, although that's the furthest thing from their minds at this time.
Tragic break for Tim Johnson and his family. Tragic for the Democrats. Stroke of luck for the Republicans, although that's the furthest thing from their minds at this time.
All the best to the poor man. Politics is irrelevant.
ReplyDeletebizarre they don't have an election. i did not realise this.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteGiven the Republican Party's decline into vicious partisanship from 1994 onwards, one would have to disagree and say that the possibility of being able to deadlock the Senate is probably at the forefront of many of its strategists' minds.
So we'll just have to sit back and watch how they play this one.
ReplyDelete