.South Dakota Senator Hospitalized
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was hospitalized after becoming disoriented Wednesday, weeks before his party is to take control of the Senate by a one-vote margin.
Johnson, who turns 60 on Dec. 28, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital with an undiagnosed illness, said a spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.
She said, however, the senator did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. His office had said earlier it was a possible stroke.
Johnson became disoriented during a conference call with reporters at midday Wednesday, stuttering in response to a question. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors were evaluating his condition.
Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement to serve until the 2008 election should Johnson die or resign.
Before he ended the call, Johnson appeared to recover and asked if there were any additional questions.
Spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he then walked back to his Capitol office but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it was decided he should go to the hospital.
He was taken to the hospital by ambulance around noon, Fisher said.
"It was caught very early," she said.
Johnson's office then released a statement saying he had suffered a possible stroke and was "undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team."
Fisher said Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada went to the hospital to check on Johnson. Reid called Johnson a "dear friend to me and to all of us here in the Senate."
The White House also issued a statement wishing him a speedy recovery. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family," said spokesman Alex Conant.
If the Senate is split 50-50, the vice president breaks ties. That is Republican Dick Cheney at present. Johnson is up for re-election in 2008.
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there are no special restrictions on such an appointment by the governor and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.
Johnson, a centrist Democrat, was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been one of the more reserved members of the chamber, rarely taking center stage at news conferences.
He served in the House for 10 years from 1987 to 1997. His focus has been on committee assignments important to his state's interests - Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources - as well as a spot on Appropriations. The latter allows him to direct funds to South Dakota.
Johnson narrowly defeated Republican John Thune in his 2002 re-election bid. Thune defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle two years later.
Johnson has worked as a lawyer and county prosecutor and served several years in the 1970s and 1980s in the South Dakota state Legislature.
The senator underwent prostate cancer treatment in 2004, and subsequent tests have shown him to be clear of the disease. His wife, Barb, is a breast cancer survivor. The couple have three adult children.
In response to one reporter's question on the Wednesday conference call, Johnson said he was most looking forward to spending the holidays with his family and grandchildren.
Johnson is the second senator to become ill after the Nov. 7 election. Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a Republican, was diagnosed with leukemia on Election Day. He is back at work.
MyWay
You know when I read this story this morning the first thing that popped into my mind was the Russian spy killed in London. I though damn these people learn fast don't they. How convenient just a week before the democrats take office and find out who knows what about this administrations secrets, with ever motivation to put them thru the ringer, the guy has a stroke and the republicans get to keep all their secrets to themselves.. how convenient.
I know I'm just paranoid, but if I was a democrat elect, I would watch my ass.
Johnson, who turns 60 on Dec. 28, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital with an undiagnosed illness, said a spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.
She said, however, the senator did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. His office had said earlier it was a possible stroke.
Johnson became disoriented during a conference call with reporters at midday Wednesday, stuttering in response to a question. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors were evaluating his condition.
Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement to serve until the 2008 election should Johnson die or resign.
Before he ended the call, Johnson appeared to recover and asked if there were any additional questions.
Spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he then walked back to his Capitol office but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it was decided he should go to the hospital.
He was taken to the hospital by ambulance around noon, Fisher said.
"It was caught very early," she said.
Johnson's office then released a statement saying he had suffered a possible stroke and was "undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team."
Fisher said Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada went to the hospital to check on Johnson. Reid called Johnson a "dear friend to me and to all of us here in the Senate."
The White House also issued a statement wishing him a speedy recovery. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family," said spokesman Alex Conant.
If the Senate is split 50-50, the vice president breaks ties. That is Republican Dick Cheney at present. Johnson is up for re-election in 2008.
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there are no special restrictions on such an appointment by the governor and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.
Johnson, a centrist Democrat, was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been one of the more reserved members of the chamber, rarely taking center stage at news conferences.
He served in the House for 10 years from 1987 to 1997. His focus has been on committee assignments important to his state's interests - Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources - as well as a spot on Appropriations. The latter allows him to direct funds to South Dakota.
Johnson narrowly defeated Republican John Thune in his 2002 re-election bid. Thune defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle two years later.
Johnson has worked as a lawyer and county prosecutor and served several years in the 1970s and 1980s in the South Dakota state Legislature.
The senator underwent prostate cancer treatment in 2004, and subsequent tests have shown him to be clear of the disease. His wife, Barb, is a breast cancer survivor. The couple have three adult children.
In response to one reporter's question on the Wednesday conference call, Johnson said he was most looking forward to spending the holidays with his family and grandchildren.
Johnson is the second senator to become ill after the Nov. 7 election. Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a Republican, was diagnosed with leukemia on Election Day. He is back at work.
MyWay
You know when I read this story this morning the first thing that popped into my mind was the Russian spy killed in London. I though damn these people learn fast don't they. How convenient just a week before the democrats take office and find out who knows what about this administrations secrets, with ever motivation to put them thru the ringer, the guy has a stroke and the republicans get to keep all their secrets to themselves.. how convenient.
I know I'm just paranoid, but if I was a democrat elect, I would watch my ass.
posted by madtom at 12:23 AM
5 Comments:
Yes, the bastards must have removed his genetic mataerial at conception and inserted the genome responsible for the congenital condition which is responsible for the condition that led to his stroke. Is their no end to their cunning and omnipotence? Well, if they are omnipotent, I guess that is a stupid question.....
His gene's make him susceptible to bleeding, something as common as aspirin could have cased him to bleed this week.
'Johnson was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst. The condition often is present from birth.'
You'd make a good Arab with your baseless rumor mongering and conspiratorial delusions.
Thank you Dr. Will for that explanation, I read it too.
I may have Arab blood in me as it is, I have ancestors in Spain you know. I did say something about being paranoid, because I know, I don't know. It's just curious the timing. How convenient.
This is the best I could find on the subject on short notice:
"Use of stimulant drugs and medications. Drugs such as cocaine can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure. Some over-the-counter medications, such as cold medicines, also contain stimulants."
Mayoclinic
Sex was also sighted in other publications as a contributing factor.
Another factor I would like to know would be if Johnson had already been diagnosed with this disorder, if it was on his medical record. If not, we could forget the whole thing, as it would require knowledge of the condition to use it against him.
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