WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson [South Dakota] was in critical condition recovering from emergency brain surgery Thursday, creating political drama over whether his illness could cost Democrats newly won control of the Senate.
First and foremost — all politics aside: I sincerely hope for a fast and full recovery for Sen. Johnson. The most important thing to consider at this point is the Senator’s well-being. If I could chose having power flip to the Republicans in the Senate or having a healthy Sen. Johnson in the Senate? It’s a no-brainer: I’d rather the Senator be healthy and able to serve.
At this point, any speculation on “what might happen” in the event that Sen. Johnson is unable to serve is pointless and — quite frankly — a little ghoulish. I don’t want to discuss who might replace Sen. Johnson because for now, nobody is replacing him.
Others are discussing it though (on both sides of the aisle):
Unfortunately, the politics of his illness may have a major role in shaping the Senate for the next term. Presently, the Democrats hold a 51–49 edge in the Senate. If Johnson is too ill to serve, then the Governor of South Dakota, who is a Republican, can name his replacement. Odds are that the replacement would be a Republican, thus bringing the Senate to a 50–50 tie, with Vice President Dick Cheney having the deciding vote and control of the Senate would revert back to the Republicans.
While we would love to see the Republicans take back control of the Senate, we also recognize that this a persons life and health we are talking about. So from all of us at Scared Monkeys, our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Johnson and his family for a full recovery from his illness.
Kos thinks that the pressure to appoint Johnson’s son as a “legacy” fill-in until the 2008 elections would be intense.
I’m sure the Kos and his minons would play a large part of that “intense pressure”.
For those interested in how a replacement can be named legally and constitutionally:
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there were no special restrictions on an appointment by the governor and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.
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I’m going to leave this story alone for now, though, until we know more about the Senator’s health. But there are LOTS of others you can read if you want to know more:
On Deadline, Reuters, NewsBusters.org, Hot Air, No More Mister Nice Blog, Scared Monkeys, Associated Press, Blogs of War, GOP Bloggers, Good Will Hinton, Election Law, FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog, Outside The Beltway, Roger L. Simon, Townhall.com Blog’s …, The Political Pit Bull, Captain’s Quarters, Larisa Alexandrovna’s …, Michelle Malkin, Blue Crab Boulevard, Wizbang and MyDD
