Posted by
arandomguy on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 11:51:22 PM
This is an extremely intersting political development because of the potential ramifications. Democrat Tim Johnson, a Senator from South Dakota fell ill today and was sent to the hospital after becoming disoriented. This comes just weeks before the Democrats are to take control of the House and the Senate - the Senate by a 51 - 49 majority.
It was initially presumed to be a stroke or a heart attack, but a spokesperson for Mr. Johnson has said that it was not a stroke or a heart attack. He currently has an "undiagnosed illness" which presumably will be diagnosed sometime in the future.
The political ramifications of this have the potential to be mindblowing. The Democrats are excited about their new majority in the Senate. However, if Tim Johnson is forced to leave office, then the Republican governor of South Dakota will get to appoint his replacement - presumably another Republican. This would make it a 50-50 split, giving Republicans back control of the important committees, as well as giving Vice President Dick Cheney the tie-breaking vote.
It is looking less and less likely that Johnson will be incapacitated, and I hope and pray for his speedy recovery. But if he does become incapacitated, and the Republicans DO regain control of the Senate, it would be one of the most interesting bits of politics in some time. Furthermore, it would really destroy the Democratic agenda to get all these amazing things done.
It would actually be kind of amusing.