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Senator Tim Johnson Has Brain Hemorrhage

Jake, Colossus of Clout

00:36 / 15.12.06

Here is the relevant link from CNN.

I feel bad for the guy. It's a sucky thing that happened to him. But I'm absolutely mortified that this could very well swing the balance of power back to the Republicans in the Senate. If he has to resign, the Republican Governor of South Dakota gets to appoint someone to fill his term. That would bring the the Senate back to a 50-50 deadlock, with Cheney getting the tiebreaking vote and handing the Senate back to the GOP.

What a kick in the pants if that happens.

03:09 / 15.12.06

With a 50-50 Senate (that’s 50 Republicans and 50 non-Republicans), however, the committee appointments still will not be weighted for the Republicans. So even with Cheney, it really isn’t giving the Senate back to the Republicans, as such.

16:35 / 15.12.06

yeah, it seems really messed up that our electoral system would allow someone of the opposite party to fill a vacancy opened by a tragedy like this. It seems like the governor would have to appoint someone of the same party, or the state political party would nominate someone instead, or something.

Thankfully, the news this morning said he seemed to be doing better.