Democrats may lose Senate ...
petrym
Posts: 1,912
Excerpt from tomorrow's Wall Street Journal:
Johnson Illness Imperils
Democrats' Senate Control
By SARAH LUECK and JEANNE CUMMINGS
December 14, 2006
WASHINGTON -- The sudden illness that sent Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson to the hospital also stunned the Capitol as it underscored his party's tenuous hold on control of the Senate in the new Congress.
The South Dakota lawmaker was admitted to George Washington University Hospital after becoming disoriented yesterday, just weeks before Democrats are to take control of the Senate by a two-vote margin following the midterm elections.
If Mr. Johnson is unable to continue to serve, South Dakota Republican Gov. Mike Rounds would be able to appoint his successor until 2009 and put the Senate in a 50-50 tie. That would allow Vice President Dick Cheney to break ties on behalf of Republicans, helping give committee chairmanships to Republicans and boost President Bush's policies at least in the Senate. Democrats will control the House by a 31-vote margin.
As Mr. Johnson's family gathered at the hospital last night, his office wasn't making public details of his condition. In late afternoon, a brief statement said he had suffered a "possible stroke" and was being evaluated by a stroke team.
Johnson Illness Imperils
Democrats' Senate Control
By SARAH LUECK and JEANNE CUMMINGS
December 14, 2006
WASHINGTON -- The sudden illness that sent Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson to the hospital also stunned the Capitol as it underscored his party's tenuous hold on control of the Senate in the new Congress.
The South Dakota lawmaker was admitted to George Washington University Hospital after becoming disoriented yesterday, just weeks before Democrats are to take control of the Senate by a two-vote margin following the midterm elections.
If Mr. Johnson is unable to continue to serve, South Dakota Republican Gov. Mike Rounds would be able to appoint his successor until 2009 and put the Senate in a 50-50 tie. That would allow Vice President Dick Cheney to break ties on behalf of Republicans, helping give committee chairmanships to Republicans and boost President Bush's policies at least in the Senate. Democrats will control the House by a 31-vote margin.
As Mr. Johnson's family gathered at the hospital last night, his office wasn't making public details of his condition. In late afternoon, a brief statement said he had suffered a "possible stroke" and was being evaluated by a stroke team.
Post edited by petrym on
Comments
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I don't want Johnson's illness to progress and pray for his recovery.
I do wish there was some other way to overtake the Dems though! -
Doesnt matter whos in control. Its still just a bunch of worthless politicians in there anyway.
Still, best wishes for the Senator.polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
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The special interests always tip the legislature. Why do you think there is pork! Deals and made behind the scenes. A few pieces of legislation will go down party lines but most are deals made in smoky rooms. "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine"Carl
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schwarcw wrote:The special interests always tip the legislature. Why do you think there is pork! Deals and made behind the scenes. A few pieces of legislation will go down party lines but most are deals made in smoky rooms. "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine"
I've got a wicked itch right in the middle. -
Being form South Dakota, and it being a state of only around 550,000 inhabitants, I have had the opportunity to meet Mr.Johnson. Although not of my political persuasion, he is a well-meaning and honest person. I wish him well. I have also met the other Senator from there, John Thune - look for him to be Presidential material someday. You may recall that John Thune was the one to put an end to the Liberal Tom Daschle's political career. Yes, I have met him, too and as they say, if can't say anything nice...
Anyways, the makeup of the Senate and committee chairmanships are more important than most might think when it comes to judicial appointments and such. I just want to point that out, not debate the merits of having conservative judges who tend not to legislate from the bench and having activist liberal judges who tend to find against having our Ten Commandments displayed in public places and having any mention of God removed from public schools. -
Yep we definetely like to keep government out of our lives. But don't say too much more or we will have a debate on our hands in this thread.
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Guys, we all know what happens when we talk politics on the forum..... I've learned my lesson from the WWIII thread...AVR: H/K AVR240
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Gamertag: kovster27 -
MacLeod wrote:Doesnt matter whos in control. Its still just a bunch of worthless politicians in there anyway.
No need for us to debate political issues if we recognize the truth of the above statement.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
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Countdown to the first conspiracy theory of the Republicans poisoning him? I give it 3 hours.If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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Not wishing the Senator harm (If all Dems were like the guy, I might vote that way), but it would be nice to have the constitutional intent of senators preserved in at least 1 state.
(In the original Constitution, the Senate was intended to represent the State and State government and not its people which is what the House is for. Stupid amendment if you ask me- Leads to a very strong federal and weak state governments)There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin -
Are you saying that originally Senators were to be appointed somehow by the State governments? If that is the case, I did not know that. That would certainly be preferable to me.
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bobman1235 wrote:Countdown to the first conspiracy theory of the Republicans poisoning him? I give it 3 hours.
It took 2 minutes at DU. -
DaveMuell wrote:Are you saying that originally Senators were to be appointed somehow by the State governments? If that is the case, I did not know that. That would certainly be preferable to me.
Yes, the elected state officials (governer and the states legislature) picked/elected the senators until the 17th ammendment was ratified then it went to popular vote.There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
