Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) may have suffered a stroke...

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

A spokeman for Johnson has now denied that he had a stroke, sounds like a minor fainting spell from the description if anything:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2006/12/13/national/w162040S94.DTL

Good news if true though, in which case Johnson should be fine.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Actually I read that according to South Dakota law, the Governor appoints a replacement, but only a temporary one, a special election does need to be called later. In which case Daschle or Herseth would most likely be the favorite (especially with the sympathy vote).

But the good news is it sounds as if he's fine, and this won't be needed.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Reports now indicate that it was very likely a Transient Ischemic Attack, basically a hardening of arteries in the brain. TIAs usually don't leave much of an impact but they can lead to a much worse stroke later if untreated, which is why he's under surgery now. In that case, he should be fine.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Latest report sounds good:

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota suffered a hemorrhage in the brain caused when a cluster of blood vessels is too close together, said Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher, quoting Adm. John Eisold, attending physician at the U.S. Capitol.

Eisold said Johnson's condition is congenital.

Johnson, 59, was in critical condition Thursday morning following brain surgery at George Washington University Hospital, said David Boyd, in the nursing supervisor's office.

Fisher quoted Eisold as saying: "Subsequent to his admission to George Washington University Hospital yesterday, Senator Tim Johnson was found to have had an intracerebral bleed caused by a congenital arteriovenous malformation.

"He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation. The senator is recovering without complication in the critical care unit.

"It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long term prognosis."

Johnson's wife, Barbara, said in a statement, "The Johnson family is encouraged and optimistic. They are grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans. They are especially grateful for the work of the doctors and all medical personnel and GWU hospital."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/14/thursday/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I've now read that in 1988, Joe Biden had a brain aneurysm (which it sounds like it is that Johnson had) and took an 8 month leave of absence from the Senate, obviously recovered fully. He's fine now. Let's hope this is the same deal.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Reports now appear to be good and that he's recovering fairly well. He's responding to his wife's voice and was holding her hand and following directions.