Johnson would make more sense and serve more effectively than current senile "senator" Jim Bunning, R-Kentucky.

...that Pat Robertson will be leading death prayers?

Gee, I wonder what Ann Coulter's take will be.

Victory or defeat for them rests on the health of a democratic Senator from South Dakota. If he can just pull through, America is finished.

Just heard on CNN before leaving to work that Johnson suffered from the rupture of an Arteriovenous Malformation. Basically, he had severe bleeding in his brain, which caused pressure and stroke-like symptoms. IANAD, but I believe the fact that he actually survived the rupture and subsequent surgery is a good thing -- the AVM is removed now, so the life danger has passed.

More info here: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/detail_avms.htm

Now you can be sure that the Republicans will claim that Johnson had a syphilitic brain aneurism and that he shoud be removed from office for reasons of National Security and Decency.

One thing you can be sure of is that they will NOT be praying for him and his family.

It would be nice if a sad event like this would bring politicians of both sides together in the realisation that all of us have a short time on this planet, and that it just isn't worth lying and cheating to obtain worldly power, but fat chance of that.

If I recall, the last time S.D. lost a Senator due to death (Burdick) in the 80's the Governor called a special election to fill the seat. The Gov could appoint a GOP Senator, who could end up losing to a Dem challenger in the special election.

With all the breathless coverage about who would get to replace Sen. Johnson in case his seat becomes vacant here at Salon and in other media, did anybody think that the guy might have the poor taste to actually recover? In fact, from what I am given to understand about his condition (I'm not an MD and don't even play one on TV), recovery is very likely to be quite quick, provided the problem was caught before major damage occurred, which appears to be the case here. All of which is a good thing.

Now, it's my turn for idle speculation; according to the SD Secretary of State, the governor would get to name a replacement to serve until the next general election. He's not obligated to choose from either party.

My mother suffered the same thing. Her surgery was successful as was her rehab. The result of the "success"? She spent five years as a complete invalid in a nursing home before she passed away.

What many of these medical experts and doctors consider "success" is quite different from what most people would consider "success."

For Sen. Johnson's sake, more so than for the Senate's, I hope his bleed was not as massive as my mother's. I hope for him a full recovery.

S.D. law does require a special election, but to be held during the general election; 2008.

Why in the world would you assume that a Republican would be appointed by

the govenor of South Dakota to replace a democratically elected Democratic

sitting Senator?? This would be in direct opposition to the will of the

voters of that state. The govenor would be making a huge political gamble

to pull such a move. I don't think it's feasible, or even probable.

Let's hope there is some semblance of decency left in this country's

elected officials.

But so long as the Senator is alive, the Democrats will maintain the Senate.

The Republicans faced a similar dilema with Strom Thurmond just before he passed, and essentially propted him up in a corner and had someone help him vote.

It's smacks of the worst eliments of political dehumanization, but don't be surprised to see such an occurance happening if the Senator is incapacitated, but still breathing.

South Dakota's GOP Gov. Mike Rounds is widely believed to be the Republican with the best chances to challenge Johnson. If Rounds appoints a Republican who turns out to be popular he will not be able to challenge him in the primary and in any case it would look really strange for the Rounds to challenge his own appointee in two years. If the Republican appointee turns out to be disliked, the voters may be so angry at Rounds that he will have no chance at winning seat. If he appoints a Democrat, he will anger the Republicans and may not win the primaries. My guess is that Rounds who will be termed out of office and looking for a new job in two years in praying for a swift recovy for Johnson or better yet, have Johnson not well enough to actually serve but still remain in office.

A month after a devastating defeat against Republicans, suddenly one of the opposing camp collapses? In a CONVENIENTLY Republican run state?

Find the top medical scientists on the planet and have them postulate what was likely given to Johnson to cause AVM.

You think I am joking? I suppose Democracy is a joke too (actually it IS a sad sick joke lately, but I digress).

On Air America this morning, one of the guests made the case that (if it comes to it) Democrats and progressives should pressure SD's governor to follow the precedent of an "honor appointment" -- that is, appointing someone who is likely to be similar to the person being replaced (i.e. a Democrat). Sounds good to me.

First of all, I think, I hope, Sen. Johnson will recover.

But even if he doesn't recover - I believe his brain injury is in an area that will not compromise his autonomic functions such as breathing and heart beating. I think as long as that is the case the Democrats can prevent his seat from going to the other party.

We know that the current Republican led congress would not allow one of their own to have his plug pulled while he was still breathing. If necessary they will call a special Sunday session to mandate that Teri, oops I mean Tim be kept alive by whatever means are necessary.