Repubs may regain Senate

[DaveE]

SD Senator Tim Johnson is in the hospital in critical condition after brain surgery for stroke-like symptoms. Besides the obvious concerns for his well-being, control of the US Senate may be at stake. While it is common practice in PA for the sitting Governor to appoint replacements of the same party when a public official is unable to complete his service, apparently that is not the case in South Dakota. The Republican Governor can appoint whomever he chooses and may throw the Senate into a 50-50 tie by appointing a Republican, giving Cheney the tie-braking vote.

[legion]

First off, I'm sad to see this happen to Sen. Johnson. IMO, we need more politicians like him. If the Democratic Party was made up of politicians like him, I would vote Democrat more often. Unfortunately, the shrillness of the Kennedy's, Boxers, and Pelosis seem to dominate.

That being said, I'm going to assume he is replaced and a Republican is appointed. What does this mean for the Senate and Congress as a whole?

First off, Reid is out. It was interesting to see he and Pelosi immediately start to talk down expectations for their tenure, but now I would expect the blame game to pick up right where it left off. Too bad, as I was somewhat looking forward to seeing them falling flat on their faces. Watching them blame Republicans for their screw-ups while they were in power was going to be fun. (Of course the AP, CNN, MSNBC, the broadcast netoworks, Time, Newsweeks, the New York Times, The LA Times, the Chicago Tribune, and NPR to name a few would endorse this point of view.)

Edited so I don't have to keep having the same mistake pointed out repeatedly...

[widebody911]

Any traces of polonium 210 yet?

[Tim Hancock]

If the end result is the republicans essentially regaining the senate, someone better keep an eye on Rodeo, as he might go bezerk!

[tcar]

Originally posted by legion
First off, Pelosi is out.

Pelosi is in the House... not Senate...

[dd74]

Originally posted by tcar
Pelosi is in the House... not Senate...

Yep. So I wouldn't jump up and down in glee yet...

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
If the end result is the republicans essentially regaining the senate, someone better keep an eye on Rodeo, as he might go bezerk!

[Nathans_Dad]

Glee? Hell no, I WANT San Fran Nan to get the podium. I want her in front of the cameras every day. America needs to see who leads the Democratic party and exactly what their agenda is...

I actually hope the governor of South Dakota appoints another Dem to the seat if Johnson can't continue. The Republicans need to give the Dems all the rope they want so they can hang themselves before 08.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
Glee? Hell no, I WANT San Fran Nan to get the podium. I want her in front of the cameras every day. America needs to see who leads the Democratic party and exactly what their agenda is...

I actually hope the governor of South Dakota appoints another Dem to the seat if Johnson can't continue. The Republicans need to give the Dems all the rope they want so they can hang themselves before 08.

Agreed, and I want to see them screw the pooch badly and then maybe the voters will keep them out for 20 years next time.

[legion]

Originally posted by tcar
Pelosi is in the House... not Senate...

Duh! Not enough caffeine when I typed this.

[stevepaa]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
Glee? Hell no, I WANT San Fran Nan to get the podium. I want her in front of the cameras every day. America needs to see who leads the Democratic party and exactly what their agenda is...

Agree, and I want to have the public marvel at their job and boot out more Republicans

[911pcars]

"Too bad, as I was somewhat looking forward to seeing them falling flat on their faces. Watching them blame Republicans for their screw-ups while they were in power was going to be fun. "

Gee, instead of hoping for a party's failure, how about hoping for some solutions for our country, that is unless you're currently satisfied with the status quo. I don't understand the home team vs. visiting team mentality when it comes down to what's best for the country.

Sherwood

[DaveE]

Originally posted by 911pcars
"Too bad, as I was somewhat looking forward to seeing them falling flat on their faces. Watching them blame Republicans for their screw-ups while they were in power was going to be fun. "

Gee, instead of hoping for a party's failure, how about hoping for some solutions for our country, that is unless you're currently satisfied with the status quo. I don't understand the home team vs. visiting team mentality when it comes down to what's best for the country.

Sherwood

Oh no, Sherwood. These folks are patriots.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by legion
First off, I'm sad to see this happen to Sen. Johnson. IMO, we need more politicians like him. If the Democratic Party was made up of politicians like him, I would vote Democrat more often. Unfortunately, the shrillness of the Kennedy's, Boxers, and Pelosis seem to dominate.

That being said, I'm going to assume he is replaced and a Republican is appointed. What does this mean for the Senate and Congress as a whole?

First off, Pelosi is out.

Er, no, Pelosi is in the House of Representatives, not the Senate. Her Speakership isn't in jeapardy as a result of Senator Johnson's illness.

It was interesting to see her immediately start to talk down expectations for her tenure, but now I would expect the blame game to pick up right where it left off. Too bad, as I was somewhat looking forward to seeing them falling flat on their faces. Watching them blame Republicans for their screw-ups while they were in power was going to be fun. (Of course the AP, CNN, MSNBC, the broadcast netoworks, Time, Newsweeks, the New York Times, The LA Times, the Chicago Tribune, and NPR to name a few would endorse this point of view.)

Again, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA isn't going to lose her position as Speaker of the House anytime before 2008, barring any unexpected events in the House.

[artplumber]

If you're aspiring to political office in SD, this should give you pause....

In 1969, another South Dakota senator, Karl Mundt, a Republican, suffered a stroke while in office. Mundt continued to serve until the end of his term in January 1973, although he was unable to attend Senate sessions and was stripped of his committee assignments by the Senate Republican Conference in 1972.

Johnson, who was elected in 1996, holds the same seat previously held by Mundt.

Or at least make sure you get a head CT/MR - of course that might show everyone what's in your head

Kidding and partisanship aside, hope he recovers.

[Jim Richards]

Originally posted by DaveE
Oh no, Sherwood. These folks are patriots.

werd.

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally posted by stevepaa
Agree, and I want to have the public marvel at their job and boot out more Republicans

I'll believe it when I see it...

We do agree on one thing. It is time for the Dems to have their say. They can finally stop the "Anything but Bush" campaign and tell the public what their plans are for the country. I want to see their programs put out for people to scrutinize, I want to see their plans for solving the Iraq problem.

It's time to put up or shut up.

[Jeff Higgins]

See, Dubya is right. God is on his side. While He didn't use the jawbone of an ass, He smote those evil Dems nonetheless.

[lendaddy]

They are absoluertly void of ideas, it's painful to watch. Notice the "get our boys home" stuff went out the window already. Guess they realize now that the adults know what they're doing afterall.

Either way, I hope this guy gets well and we avoid any BS.

[Flatbutt1]

I'm a bit stunned that a Governor would be free to basically overturn the people's vote due to illness. The Governore should be required to make an appointmnet from the same party whose member is being replaced.