D's could lose the senate

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121400379.html

Democratic Sen. Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 15, 2006; Page A01

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was in stable condition yesterday after emergency brain surgery, prompting optimism among family and friends and at least temporarily stanching speculation that the Democrats' narrow control of the next Senate might be in jeopardy.

But Capitol aides predicted tough negotiations between the two parties early next month over the rules for organizing the new Senate, particularly those that would address the possibility that a Democratic seat could be vacated because of illness or death.

Even if Johnson recuperates fully, aides and advisers said, Democrats will be painfully aware that they remain one fatal illness -- or one party switch -- away from a Republican claim on their majority, which has stood at 51 to 49 since the Nov. 7 elections. The two parties may clash in particular over an agreement made in 2001 that enabled Democrats to seize the majority after one Republican senator switched parties. Republicans are likely to try to revive the precedent, according to the congressional aides, and Democrats are likely to fight it.

Johnson, 59, was rushed from his Senate office to George Washington University Hospital on Wednesday, suffering from bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital tangle of blood vessels, the U.S. Capitol physician said yesterday.

"He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation," said the physician, Adm. John Eisold. He later said that Johnson "has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Specifically, he has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required."

Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and former party leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) visited Johnson at the hospital Wednesday and yesterday. Reid later told reporters at the Capitol that Johnson "really looks good" and was receiving "the best care." He declined to say whether Johnson was conscious during his visits.

Click the link for the full article.

congenital? he was born that way? whoa.....

anyway, I pray for his continued speedy recovery.