Senate In The Balance

Written by Sam on December 14th, 2006

This is not the way I would like for the Republicans to regain control of the Senate, but this morning it is looking like an almost sure thing now.

This is pretty serious……

Associated Press

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8 Comments so far ↓

Dec
14
3:12
PM

Becky
I’m confused as to your linking to this article and then saying it looks like a “sure thing now.” That article cites past examples of senators holding their seats despite being absent from sessions for 6 months. And the reporter doesn’t have any reason to assume the surgery *didn’t* go well, or that it will be a recurring condition, or lasting damage.

So for now, best wishes to the senator and his family.
Dec
14
4:40
PM

DavidShiffman
Possibly stupid question. Even if this poor man died, why would that automatically mean the the Republicans retook the senate? Doesn’t his wife get his seat or something? Or wouldn’t there be an election to fill his place?
Dec
14
4:51
PM

Becky
Apparently — I’d never heard this before, I’d actually assumed there was something about the wife/spouse taking over — the SD lawmakers would get to choose someone to appoint… And of course their governor Mike Rounds would appoint a Republican. Despite that minor, apparently unimportant fact about the people *choosing Democratic representation.* (Using Democratic in both senses.) Seems like a ridiculously unfair policy to the people of SD & the U.S., after the voters have spoken…
Dec
14
5:03
PM

Becky
Sorry for the multiple posts, but I just found this interesting article from media matters:

http://mediamatters.org/items/200612140003?src=newsbox-www.crooksandliars.com

Apparently a lot of news stations have said things to the effect of, “if Senator Johnson couldn’t serve or was incapacitated in any way, then Gov. Mike Rounds would appoint someone…” When actually that isn’t true: there’s nothing on the books about replacing Senators who are ill, injured, or disabled. They cite a number of examples of politicians serving terms despite not being able to work, talk, etc… So basically, the only situation in which Rounds can legally appoint someone, is if Johnson passes away.
Dec
14
9:32
PM

anonymous
Maybe we can keep him a vegetable for another few years and get Bill Frist to diagnose him as competent to serve in the Senate.
Dec
14
9:42
PM

DavidShiffman
Oh, snap!
Dec
14
10:15
PM

Stephen
Talk about jumping the shark! Look folks, the man could be in a vegetative state and it wouldn’t matter. The only way a Senator can be removed is if the Senate does it, and the Senate has never (yes, never) removed one of its own members. In the 40’s a Virginia Senator with heart problems held his seat for 3 years… despite never stepping foot under the Dome.

Moreover, if Johnson is removed after the session begins the rules will already be in place. Unless the Republicans hold out as the Democrats did in 2000, that will leave committee assignments and leadership positions as is… even if Republicans step into the majority. Now they could hold out and force them to include a trigger rule that would restructure the committees in the event of a change, but then they just seem morbid.
Dec
14
11:42
PM

Joseph T McCarthy
Subject came up at my chapter’s meeting tonight. Everyone seems to think Mike Rounds will appoint a (R)epublican to the seat even if this fella had to leave the Senate.

Me, I’m not so sure. I would love to have a conservative Republican… elected. Best of luck to the senator and his family. I have to wonder if changing the face of politics is such a great life goal if I’m planning to live to 140…

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Senate In The Balance

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