Fox News Speculates How Officials Could ‘Declare’ Sen. Johnson ‘Incapacitated’
Fox News Speculates How Officials Could ‘Declare’ Sen. Johnson ‘Incapacitated’
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) is at George Washington University hospital, recovering from brain surgery.
Meanwhile, Fox News is speculating how the balance of power could shift in the Senate, even if Sen. Johnson survived. Fox’s Steve Doocy said that although “the issue of incapacitation is not spelled out in the state law,” there “would be a precedent of the federal level.”
Another Fox anchor added, “We’ll have to see what happens in terms of what exactly his condition is and who’s going to weigh in on whether it’s an incapacitation or whether that’s just clear from the facts.” Watch it:
Full transcript:
KILMEADE: Steve, remember we were down this road before? If something happens that Johnson can’t continue, 50-50 with Dick Cheney breaking the tie.
DOOCY: That’s right, and you know, in the state of South Dakota, I understand there is the issue of incapacitation. It’s not spelled out in the state law, at the state level. However, the secretary of state of South Dakota says there would be a precedent at the federal level. Is that how you understand it as well Megan?
FOX ANCHOR: Yeah, indeed, there’s a big laundry list that they would have to go through in order to determine that he is incapacitated. It’s something that, ironically enough, might be weighed in on by his advisers. In other words, Sen. Harry Reid, the incoming majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, may advise him on whether he should declare his incapacity, if in fact he’s in a position where he can declare it or not. And so, we’ll have to see what happens in terms of, you know, what exactly his condition is and who’s going to weigh in on whether it should be declared an incapacitation or whether that’s just clear from the facts.
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Boy, they’re really getting their guns off over this one. Not so fast, boys. The Senator is in critical condition but the surgery looks to have been successful.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:02 amEveryone, including you TP, don’t get your panties in a bunch with FOX talking about this. It is a little callous but it’s not out of line.
The more interesting thing here is the potential role reversal for the Rs and Ds from the Schiavo incident.
Was he poisoned?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:03 amdisgusting. the man had brain surgery and these baboons are licking their chops. i hope he’s okay.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:04 amI don’t think it matters if he is incapacitated. I think the governor can only appoint a replacement if he dies. I’m going to have to look that up, but I think there was another case, maybe even in SD, where something similar happened and the senator was able to serve out his term without resigning and without technically being able to work.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:04 amWow, the vultures just can’t wait…
December 14th, 2006 at 10:05 amFrickin’ vultures.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:05 amThey don’t want to bother seeing if the surgery was ok, they want the guy declared incapacitated, so the republican governor can appoint a republican senator.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:06 amIf everyone who is “incapacitated” at FoxSnooze were taken off the air, they’d have to close down their whole operation. I have never seen such a large group of braindead morons gathered in one place before — with the possible exception of the majority members of the 109th Congress.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:07 amwas able to serve out his term without resigning and without technically being able to work.
Comment by KikiD — December 14, 2006 @ 10:04 am
Not a huge change from the current bunch then…
December 14th, 2006 at 10:07 amnice medical things will happen to our dear leaders some day….
prepare for the biggest party in history if bush gets a sudden brain aneurysm.
dancing in the streets probably
December 14th, 2006 at 10:07 amThat’s right. And Democrats who guest on FOX perpetuate and propagate these anti-Democratic hate mongers.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:09 amIf the GOPers cannot take over Sen. Johnsons’s seat to get back control of the Senate, then they just have Sen. Joe Lieberman to turncoat for them! Sen. Harry Reid may never be Senate Majority Leader or not for very long anyways!
December 14th, 2006 at 10:11 amAnd Bush has been brain dead since his DUI-Coke-Frat days and look he still has time to read My Pet Goat II
December 14th, 2006 at 10:11 amHas somebody rushed a video clip over to Frist for a diagnosis?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:12 amDoesn’t the “pro life” crowd rally behind Johnson? They fight tooth and nail for Schiavo who was almost a vegetable, against the spouse’s wishes to boot,…..and here they’re ready to say he’s not fit to serve because he just suffered a stroke?
Seems like when it suits their purposes people are full of health, but when an ill person gets in their way they want to write him off. The hypocracy never, ever ends with these people.
Anyway if it comes down to it, the gov should appoint a democrat. Because if he doesn’t, he’s facing the pack of voters who deliberately elected Johnson in a mandate election, and the voters might see that as screwing them over at that point. The gov has to protect his own political health.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:13 amThese guys are so cold it’s unbelievable. Who cares about the well-being of this man and his family? It’s all about re-gaining power. Sick.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:14 am“prepare for the biggest party in history if bush gets a sudden brain aneurysm.”
bush is a sudden brain aneurysm
December 14th, 2006 at 10:14 amfox is hardly the only ones speculating about a turnover of power in the senate.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:14 amNot to defend Fox News, because thats impossible here, but haven’t most of the news channels been covering the story from this angle?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:15 amI thought about poison, too. They should test him just to be sure.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:15 amprepare for the biggest party in history if bush gets a sudden brain aneurysm
How will we know if this happens? Will GDumbya laugh at inappropriate times when talking about serious topics? Will he stumble over words? Will he be inarticulate and use made-up or mispronouced words? Will he make stupid decisions based upon wrong or zero information?
Hmmmm.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:15 amprepare for the biggest party in history if bush gets a sudden brain aneurysm.
dancing in the streets probably
Comment by goddygod
Might want to rethink that one. President Cheney? And Lynn, his prissy, mouthy, cheeze-eating wife as the first lady?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:16 amtwo words: senator bunning
December 14th, 2006 at 10:17 amFox “News” is disgusting and the anchors are even worse. It sounds to me like they are PRAYING that he is “incapacitated” so that they can regain control of the Senate. All these SOB’s care about is money and power. They could care less if the senator survives or not. Just another bunch of heartless conservatives. Only thinking about themselves.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:19 amthe other networks have been covering this, but not in this way. Fox is stating that the governor of SD should remove Johnson as a senator, and replace him. I think most of the other networks are a saying if Johnson is unable to serve, he will be replaced by a republican senator. Fox is jumping the shark.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:19 am#4 KikiD,
That sounds like what Keith Olbermann reported last night, and it was in SD that it happened.
What I don’t understand is why Fox News Channel doesn’t get the facts before they start ignorantly speculating. Actually, I do understand why they do it. Because even with the most certain of facts, they believe in clouding the issue with false speculation so that they could later claim that there wasn’t total agreement on what should have been done. It’s a false argument beacuse the ones who claimed there was doubt were just lying because they didn’t like the facts. It should be interesting listening to FNC whine and cry about everything the Democrats will do to correct the mistakes their predecessors made.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:21 amIt is such a bad law to allow a governor to appoint a Senator of any party should one die in office.
Doesn’t that just lend itself to corruption?
With one seat in the balance, who’s to stop someone from slipping a little polonium into some Senator’s coffee?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:21 amFricking vultures! These aren’t people. This is the kind of society I want to be a part of. /sarcasm off
December 14th, 2006 at 10:22 amMaybe Cheney could be declared incapacitated, since he’s had all that heart surgery and his condition is shaky at best.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:25 amFox is no more disgusting than many of the posters here that have wished for the demise of Bush. For anyone to wish death or major illness on anyone is disgusting.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:25 amFrom what I understand, it doesn’t matter how ‘incapacitated’ he is…as long as he’s got a pulse, he can’t be replaced. The only way he can be replaced if if he dies or resigns.
Of course, I wouldn’t put it past the 109th Congress to try to ram through a law in the 11th hour to make it possible to replace him…I don’t put anything past these people….
December 14th, 2006 at 10:25 am1)So it’s not OK for FOX to speculate about the political consequences of a Senator’s stroke but it’s OK to “dance in the streets” when the President has a brain aneurysm. Fair enough.
2)I don’t recall hearing anyone (GOP or otherwise) claim that Schiavo was fit to be a Senator…
3)After complaining about the monstrosity of the “do-nothing” Congress you advocate someone serving out his term without techncially being able to work, a la, a stroke (maybe). Bright. Real bright.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:28 amWow, Robert, I think I saw you posting something about killing certian people of middle eastern descent not too many threads back….. could be wrong….
December 14th, 2006 at 10:28 amI thought that unless a senator died, he could not be replaced. If a disabled senator refuses to retire, he can’t be thrown out. Olberman talked about this last night.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:30 amFox is no more disgusting than many of the posters here that have wished for the demise of Bush. For anyone to wish death or major illness on anyone is disgusting.
I, for one, do not wish death or major illness on GDumbya. I just wish he would go away . . . that would eliminate alot of death and illness in this country in and of itself. He is a disease that has infected the health of the U.S. for much too long.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:30 amThese vultures have no respect for even a Senator fighting for his life if he’s a Democrat. If he were a Republican, they’d be donating blood, starting a fund for his family, giving organs, even giving him mouth to mouth whether he needs it or not. Shame, Shame, Shame you disguisting immoral, lowlife, propogandists, how dare you gloat over a man before he’s dead. I’m totally sick of you spreading your rightwing facist message and I will never, never, ever watch your propoganda again.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:31 amWord just out from Johnson’s office:
Admiral John Eisold, Attending Physician of the United States Capitol said, “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 at George Washington University Hospital. It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long term prognosis.â€
December 14th, 2006 at 10:32 am#2 mentioned shiavo…interesting indeed. From what the repukes have told us,the man could be in a coma for years and still make a full recovery,so how would they even think about removing him from his rightly won office. This is a talking point that should be on every site and rammed down the throats of every faux news loving ghoul.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:34 amJust don’t call on Mr Frist for any advise or determinations.
Hopefully, Mr Johnson will totally recover and be able to carry on.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:38 amFaux “news” is just getting disgustingly giddy. I believe he will recover and be able to serve.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:40 am“but it’s OK to “dance in the streets†when the President has a brain aneurysm.” Comment by rob — December 14, 2006 @ 10:28 am
Where did you hear that Rove had an aneurysm Rob?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:41 am)After complaining about the monstrosity of the “do-nothing†Congress you advocate someone serving out his term without techncially being able to work, a la, a stroke (maybe). Bright. Real bright.
well, that is only okay if you are a Republican, right?
Karl Mundt of SD (R) had a stroke in ‘69…and refused to resign, though he didn’t go to work until his term was up in ‘73.
But, I am guessing that that all that stuff about the will of the people is meaningless when Republican Power hangs in the balance….unless you would allow as to having a Republican governor appoint a Democratic senator, right?
Yeah, you really, really care the people of South Dakota getting their proper representation, right?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:41 amShould the Repugs attempt to get Senator Johnson declared incapacitated because the South Dakota Governor is a Repug I have a suggestion. In the interest of fairness the Democrats should look for a State with a Democratic Governor and a Repug Senator and have that Senator also declared incapacitated. They should look no further than Arizona where they can get two for the price of one. No one can argue that McPain is fully functional and Kyl is certainly incompetent.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:41 amgouls. They have the wrong holiday. Halloween was months ago.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:42 am#32 rob
3)After complaining about the monstrosity of the “do-nothing†Congress you advocate someone serving out his term without techncially being able to work, a la, a stroke (maybe). Bright. Real bright.
Who was advocating that? I missed it. The guy just got out of surgery a little while ago. If you think we should declare him incapacitated right now, who else have we had in the the House, Senate, and White House who should have been yanked out of office within 24 hours of undrgoing surgery? Arlen Spector had surgery for a brain tumor. How long was he out? Shouldn’t he have been removed? Reagan was out for eight days for surgery. Wasn’t that a bit long?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:42 am> I have a suggestion. In the interest of fairness the Democrats should look for a State with a Democratic Governor and a Repug Senator and have that Senator also declared incapacitated.
The Republican Senator of Wyoming has leukemia….and a Democratic Governor.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:44 amCan someone refresh my memory as to what was it that makes the Republicans and their acolytes more moral than the Democrats?
Every time I hear a Republican politician say that they are praying for Sen. Johnson, I can’t help but wonder what it is that they are actually praying for.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:44 am“Fox & Friends” should really be called “The Right Wing Kool-Aid Happy Hour”.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:45 amThere isn’t a more rediculous show on television, followed closely by anytime Tony Snow opens his mouth.
I won’t be listening to Rush Limbaugh, but if someone has the stomach for it, let me know when he starts saying “Enough is enough, this guy is incapacitated and can’t serve as a U.S. Senator. It’s time to replace him.”
I’m guessing it will be less than a week before he blurts that out. It may even be today.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:47 amThis is the law in SD on filling a congressional vacancies, taken from their Statutes & Constitution site (http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/StatutesTextSearch.aspx):
“Whenever a vacancy occurs in any office and no provision is made by the Constitution or laws for filling such vacancy, the Governor shall have the power to fill such vacancy by appointment.” So the governor can make an appointment if no other law governs. But
“12-11-4. Temporary appointment by Governor to fill vacancy in United States Senate. Pursuant to the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, the Governor may fill by temporary appointment, until a special election is held pursuant to this chapter, vacancies in the office of senator in the Senate of the United States.
Source: SL 1979, ch 99, § 1″ So the gov can make an appointment until the special election is held. And
“12-11-1. Special election to fill congressional vacancy–Time of election of representative. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a senator or representative in the United States Congress it shall be the duty of the Governor within ten days of the occurrence, to issue a proclamation setting the date of and calling for a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy. If either a primary or general election is to be held within six months, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress shall be held in conjunction with that election, otherwise the election shall be held not less than eighty nor more than ninety days after the vacancy occurs.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:49 amSource: SL 1890, ch 84, § 19; RPolC 1903, § 1956; SL 1915, ch 182, § 2; RC 1919, §§ 7214, 7308; SL 1929, ch 117, § 5; SDC 1939, §§ 16.0602, 16.1401; SDCL, § 12-11-2; SL 1974, ch 118, § 46; SL 1979, ch 99, § 5.” So within 90 days, a special election has to be held.
#47 Rich
Every time I hear a Republican politician say that they are praying for Sen. Johnson, I can’t help but wonder what it is that they are actually praying for.
And someone should remind them that, regardless of what they pray for out loud, God knows what they’re thinking (allegedly).
December 14th, 2006 at 10:51 amThough the f_cks at FOX are no doubt salivating over the prospect of the Republicans regaining control of the senate, such speculation is not out of line, ghoulish though it may seem. I certainly am interested to know what the protocol is, if only to either know what might be coming from those fools and mount a defense. I would not have batted an eye had the discussion emanated from Think Progress or TPM. (Briefly looking, by the way, there is precedent for a senator sitting out due to ailment: “In February 1988, Biden was hospitalized for two brain aneurysms which kept him from the U.S. Senate for seven months, also stopping his attempt at the Presidential nomination that year.”; Robert F. Wagner “was unable to attend any sessions of the 80th or 81st Congress from 1947 to 1949 because of a heart ailment.”) I’m not psyched about having to discuss the possibilities while Sen. Johnson is practically on the operating table, but the low-handedness of the Republicans and their propaganda soldiers like Fox makes any course naive.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:55 amOur prayers are with Sen. Johnson and his family.
As a South Dakotan, here’s an FYI on the SD state statute. SD’s Gov. Rounds can only appoint a replacement Senator for 90 days, with an election to follow:
12-11-1. Special election to fill congressional vacancy–Time of
December 14th, 2006 at 11:01 amelection of representative. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a senator or representative in the United States Congress it shall be the duty of the Governor within ten days of the occurrence, to issue a proclamation setting the date of and calling for a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy. If either a primary or general election is to be held within six months, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress shall be held in conjunction with that election, otherwise the election shall be held not less than eighty nor more than ninety days after the vacancy occurs.
hey, strom thurmond served in the senate when he was so out of it he didn’t even recognize people or communicate verbally. if he can do that, anything is possible.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:02 amHow long must Johnson’s family suffer. I believe its time to pull the plug. How do you guys feel about assisted suicide now. Lets do to him what was done to Terri Shiavo
December 14th, 2006 at 11:04 amDano, Thanks for the research.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:05 am# 50 has the law correct, but let’s boil it down in layman’s terms:
There is no legal provision for declaring a member of Congress too infirm to serve. The Constitution also does not provide an effective way for filling temporary vacancies that occur when members are incapacitated. This was said a May 2003 report by a government panel convened to determine how Congress would continue in the wake of a terrorist attack.
Unless he dies, all points and speculation are moot. I wish the man a speedy recovery!
December 14th, 2006 at 11:05 amWow, Robert, I think I saw you posting something about killing certian people of middle eastern descent not too many threads back….. could be wrong….
Comment by Bluedahlia
I have NEVER said anything on the lines of “Kill all Arabs, muslims, etc…” I have however said that “I never fired on anyone that did not fire on me first” and that is is tragic when innocent people die.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:06 am#54, Andrew, Yes. I was just thinking the same thing. Aids were having to practically prop him up in his chair. He was truly incapacitated, don’t you agree?
December 14th, 2006 at 11:06 amDano wrote, This is the law in SD on filling a congressional vacancies, taken from their Statutes & Constitution site …
My dad just mentioned that to me on the phone.
However…I’m wondering why the geniuses in the Fourth Estate haven’t said anything about it yet.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:07 amObviously some trolls don’t know the difference between a brain injury and brain dead, probably because their condition falls in the latter.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:12 amYou go first Randy, I think Hale-Bop is coming, get ready to hitch a ride.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:13 amFox news has been declared incapacitated for years.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:16 amI’m waiting for Frist to tell me what his condition really is!
December 14th, 2006 at 11:19 amnot to take away from the gravity of the situation, but does the header “JOHNSON CONDITION‘ make anyone else laugh?
December 14th, 2006 at 11:20 am#55 Randy
How long must Johnson’s family suffer. I believe its time to pull the plug. How do you guys feel about assisted suicide now. Lets do to him what was done to Terri Shiavo
Oh good one, Randy. But, let’s try to make it comparable. Let’s wait fifteen years and watch the family exhaust all its financial resources, well into the millions, even after doctors have declared that there’s virtually no brain activity. And, let’s be sure to disregard anything that Johnson might have told his wife about whether or not he should kept alive under such circumstances. And, most importantly, get Dr. Frist to weigh in on this. He’s the foremost medical ethicist and long distance surgeon in the U.S. Senate today. Or he was anyway.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:23 amfrom salon:
Bob Burns, political science head at South Dakota State University, believes Rounds would stay true to his party.
“It would be expected that Governor Rounds would appoint a Republican, if in fact the seat would be vacated, which would bring a tie (in the Senate) and (Vice President) Cheney would be the deciding vote.”
Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election.
Burns pointed out, however, that Rounds could appoint no replacement unless there was a vacancy.
“Even if he were physically incapacitated, there’s really no provision to vacate the position unless he resigns,” Burns said.
Burns noted that the late-U.S. Sen. Karl Mundt, who was re-elected in 1966, suffered a stroke in 1969 and did not vacate his seat.
“He served out the remainder of his term with his staff basically serving as the senator,” Burns said.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:24 amWhat makes these repugs think that they will always have all 50 fellow republicans in their camp when it comes to passing proposed legislation? The Democrats could easily sway moderate republicans to pass items on the Democratic agenda.
Look at the current mood of the country. The public is fed up with the past six years of heartless republican B.S., and they expressed their outrage last November! Look at how Henry Bonilla got his arse handed to him by the voters and replaced him with Democrat Ciro Rodriguez. Americans want a new direction!
Now you have republicans salivating at the hopes that Sen Johnson keels over, so (in their warped minds) they can then pass all the ruthless legislation they can muster. Republicans (and Faux News) are a despicable bunch.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:28 amI read some very reasuring info on DailyKos.
The update from the doctors was that he is recovering without complication.
Further info in the comments section points out that the method of treatment for Johnson gave some clues as to the severity of his problem, and it all looks good. In addition, a very tiny percentage of people who recover from this condiction are incapacitated.
It looks like Johnson will definitely be able to serve out his term. If he has some imparement it will be slight.
He will keep his seat, and all this will be a moot point.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:34 amCorrect me please if I’m wrong, but let’s say Senator Johnson recovers but is incapable of actually attending Senate sessions and thereby incapable of voting.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:36 amDoesn’t that mean Cheney would cast the deciding vote in a tie anyway? Just curious…
“Johnson Condition” heh, he said Johnson…
December 14th, 2006 at 11:37 amGive it a rest - every other news organization is doing the same thing. I (a Republican) think they’re all equally bad - just reading this speculation throughout the media it makes me want to take a shower. I hope ThinkProgress is being equally critical of the speculation of all the media organizations.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:37 amWasn’t Congress incapacitated since January of 1995. Just a thought.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:38 amLee sez:
Actually, for most things, it requires 60 or more votes to pass the Senate, so one vote for or against isn’t really all that critical.
What is critical is who holds the majority, since they’re the ones who hold supenoa power, and it’s the supenoa power that the Repubs would dearly like to get back, before embarassing investigations into touchy subjects like the Downing Street memo start up…
December 14th, 2006 at 11:38 amSamantha sez:
Yes, God willing. However, the point isn’t quite moot in my opinion. The point is that the poisonous pundits at Fox News were once again doing their best to further the Neocon agenda by framing the issue as “a precedent at the federal level”.
The villains at Fox News are among the worst kind of criminal…a propaganda outlet posing as an objective news source. This latest crap just makes it that much clearer. When the administration is on trial for high crimes and misdemeanors, the FOX ‘news’ network must be indicted as the fellow conspirators they are.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:48 amWe all need to make a TV station –fast
December 14th, 2006 at 11:51 amIf Steve Doocy is ever “incapacitated” they could consider replacing him with a journalist.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:53 amDo you suppose that they will have Bill Frist looking at video tapes of him and rendering his verdict of whether he is incapacitated or not.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:54 am#72 Dan
I hope ThinkProgress is being equally critical of the speculation of all the media organizations.
They’re all pretty bad. It’s just different kinds of bad. Fox is “Gee, wouldn’t that be too bad if the Dems lost their majority, giggle-giggle” bad. The rest of them are the airhead speculation, “It looks like the Dems are going to lose their majority for sure” kind of bad. One’s partisan, the other is just sensationalistic and dumb.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:58 amHell, one of my senators, John Cornyn, has been incapacitated by congential stupidity and Bushbootlickeyness for years, and he hasn’t been replaced. What’s with that?
December 14th, 2006 at 12:00 pmFrist diagnosis:
“I can tell that Tim Johnson will never recover. He is not responding. While our hearts go out to him and his family, let’s do what’s right for America and immediately appoint a Republican to take his place. We need to be proactive and stand together and stand tall in defending this great nation of ours against the terrorists. God bless America!”
December 14th, 2006 at 12:02 pmNot that I want to see this happen, but it would be interesting to see, if Johnson did have to step down and were replaced by a Republican, just how many of those GOP senators who were pleading for bipartisanship in the face of a Democratic majority would do an immediate about-face.
For example, would Warner still be running for GOP leadership of the Environment and Public Works Committee or would he leave it to Inhofe?
December 14th, 2006 at 12:05 pmHa, Ha the fascist left loses.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:11 pmnelson - HaHa! The fascist left loses
December 14th, 2006 at 12:12 pmDan, don’t try to make friends with the nazi left
December 14th, 2006 at 12:13 pm“Hey, who got fascism in my communism?”
“Wow it tastes great, a new treat!”
December 14th, 2006 at 12:24 pm# 32 I don’t recall hearing anyone (GOP or otherwise) claim that Schiavo was fit to be a Senator…
Posted by Rob.
You’re an idoit. Read what you post BEFORE you hit send!:D
December 14th, 2006 at 12:28 pmHa Ha! the insensitive troll is a loser.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:29 pmDon’t try to feed the insensitive troll. He bites (and sucks).
Hitlery Clinton and the drunken murderer Ted Kennedy won’t be heading up any committees.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:30 pm#83 Rick
Ha, Ha the fascist left loses.
Ha, Ha, the troll is going to be crying in his juicebox when he figures out that Dems are still running the show.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
December 14th, 2006 at 12:39 pmYou’re an idoit. Read what you post BEFORE you hit send!:D
Comment by not impressed with the U.S.
As Bush41 would say, “not gonna happen” because self-reflection would be required and that is a missing trait in neocon thinking patterns.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:41 pmGeez. How stupid can this thread get?
The issue is Fox’s propagandistic approach to ruling America, and why is lying so acceptable in the media?
December 14th, 2006 at 12:42 pmFascist left?
Do we really have to educate another troll? Nevermind, he’s unteachable. Run along, idiot troll…
December 14th, 2006 at 12:52 pmThis is crazy. Since when do you even need a brain to be a Democrat. Just give him some cool-aid.
http://apnews.myway.com/ article/ 20061214/ D8M0NO180.html
ROTFL
December 14th, 2006 at 12:57 pmThese Repuke scumbags are rubbing their hands in glee at the opportunity to get back control of the Senate.
Repukes do not care that a man’s life is in the balance.
These “good Christians” do not care about any human life but their own.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:28 pm[…] Fox News Speculates How Officials Could Declare Sen. Johnson …Think Progress, DC - 3 hours ago… surgery. Meanwhile, Fox News is speculating how the balance of power could shift in the Senate, even if Sen. Johnson survived. Fox … […]
December 14th, 2006 at 1:30 pmRighties. Hold your crotches! Nine senators had gone their careers without having to attend Senate for long periods or until the end of terms. So this senator cant take his time and recuperate before heading back to the senate. And the SD Gov can only appoint a substitute for 90 days as others have said. In Cal when Bob Matsui died, his wife filled in until the next election and then succeeded as the new Senator for California. So follow your Fox propaganda but don’t believe a word of it.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:41 pmI think people are jumping the gun a bit. I think prayers are in order, not linchmobs.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:51 pmIf Sen. Johnson has to be replaced, Tom Daschle would make a -fine- replacement. But I think the Bush goon squads would go bonkers if the SD gov. took this bold and honest step.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:52 pm#3
You guys were licking your chops when Cheney shot his friend in the face. Not to say you were hoping the man would die, but rather you were hoping Cheney would get nailed for assult.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:54 pmAfter calling in a lethal airstrike on the set of Fox and “Fiends”, we need to give a civics 101 course to the Constitution-hating neo-cons who have chimed in with their uncompromising wit refering to the left as nazis and fascists.
It has never ceased to amaze me how the mentally ill neo-cons describe themselves through the identity of others.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:57 pmMike at #70,
If Johnson doesn’t cast votes in the Senate there wouldn’t be a tie for Cheney to break. The vote (along party lines) would be 50 - 49.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:57 pm[…] Now let’s take a look at what Judd from the liberal Think Progress blog is saying: Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) is at George Washington University hospital, recovering from brain surgery. […]
December 14th, 2006 at 2:05 pm[…] What amazes me is how callous our brave media are in the face of this incident; most notably the damned over at Fox News. Think Progress has a video that is sure to turn your stomach. KILMEADE: Steve, remember we were down this road before? If something happens that Johnson can’t continue, 50-50 with Dick Cheney breaking the tie. […]
December 14th, 2006 at 2:06 pmThe 17th amendment specifies a vacancy. In all of history there are two ways a vacancy has occurred, death or resignation.
Without a death certificate or a signed resignation, Johnson remains Senator until January 3, 2009 at the earliest.
These ghouls on the right are smacking their lips at a prospect that does not even exist. HE cannot be removed under the law. Only the Senate can declare a vacancy without the resignation or death certificate and that’s not going to happen. The governor of South Dakota has no legal authority to declare a vacancy in the Senate, nor is there any precedent.
December 14th, 2006 at 2:07 pm#70….Even if the senator is out but doesn’t resign, the Democrats will still have a 50-49 advantage, therefore, still control the Senate.
December 14th, 2006 at 2:21 pm#103…Wasn’t Matsui in the HOUSE and his wife won a special election?
December 14th, 2006 at 2:27 pm#111 - “These ghouls on the right are smacking their lips at a prospect that does not even exist. HE cannot be removed under the law. Only the Senate can declare a vacancy without the resignation or death certificate and that’s not going to happen. The governor of South Dakota has no legal authority to declare a vacancy in the Senate, nor is there any precedent. ”
Comment by Walt Starr — December 14, 2006 @ 2:07 pm
Since when has that stopped the right-whiners before? Has there ever been a precedent about lying the US into a war based on faked evidence? How about the double-standard on Presidential proclivities and the “high crimes” for which Pres. Bush has been responsible?
No, when it comes down to political expediency over the honorable path, elected Republicans can’t get moving down the low path fast enough.
December 14th, 2006 at 2:33 pmWalt- remember that Faux News is losing audience and thus market share. The political movement they represent took a big hit a few weeks ago. They are desparate to grasp onto any ray of hope they can.
They couldn’t recite the 17th Amendment if it were presented to their ugly faces. They hate the Constitution and do not recognize it as the high law of the land. They only respect the bible or whatever Richard Pearle thinks.
Again, I call for an airstrike on their studios.
December 14th, 2006 at 2:36 pmSenator Johnson will be ok, and my prayers do go out to him and his family. I can’t believe these Republicans, and they call themselves Christians?
December 14th, 2006 at 2:38 pmnot to take away from the gravity of the situation, but does the header “JOHNSON CONDITION‘ make anyone else laugh?
Comment by wags
No, only you:(
December 14th, 2006 at 2:47 pmYou guys were licking your chops when Cheney shot his friend in the face. Not to say you were hoping the man would die, but rather you were hoping Cheney would get nailed for assult.
Comment by Tracy
Gee Tracey, good to see you have gotten off your knees and are able to get to the keyboard. One question, isn’t your neck tired from all that up and down motion!!:D
December 14th, 2006 at 2:54 pmI’m surprised the DEMS aren’t accusing the GOP of this…even thou he was born with the condition!!!! All the yak about appointments, and balance of power is so much gaga. The Johnson story will play itself out in the next days and weeks. Worry about something more important, and refrain from the DEM spin machines!!
December 14th, 2006 at 3:04 pmBeing from SD , am praying for the Johnson family and ask that you all pray.
December 14th, 2006 at 3:11 pmFox news doesn’t surprise me—that’s how low they are.
If you give a million monkeys a million keyboards…. one of them will eventually type “Ha, Ha the fascist left loses.”
December 14th, 2006 at 3:14 pmCULTURE OF LIFE
do NOT let Bill Frist take alook at this poor guy
….or his family cats for that matter
December 14th, 2006 at 3:15 pmTom Delay just declared total victory by the way
seriously…he won
he won it ALL!
December 14th, 2006 at 3:19 pmHow to declare Fox News incapacitated
December 14th, 2006 at 3:23 pmPost surgery, my bet is the senator has better brain function that Doocey.
December 14th, 2006 at 3:29 pmCompassionate Christian Conservatism at it’s ugly worst.
December 14th, 2006 at 3:30 pmThe Senate rules do NOT allow the Senate to declare another Senator “incapacitated”. FOX News needs to read the rules before making such assinine statements. Fox News - filled with fools.
December 14th, 2006 at 3:39 pmThe precedent at the Federal level is that there were several Senators that were “out on medical leave”, one was out for 2 years which were the remaining 2 years of his Senate term. Bill Johnson will remain a Senator until he resigns. And then there is the “family leave act” that will cover Senator Johnson’s recovery time.
This is just wishful thinking on the part of Ruppert Murdock and all the other traitors.
December 14th, 2006 at 3:45 pmIt’s pretty sad that the only way the Republican’ts are able to hold onto power is through someone fallen to a medical condition. We all know that they weren’t elected to power. Sad sacks!
December 14th, 2006 at 3:51 pmThose sickening vultures are pathetic. Shame on them. They have sunk to a new low.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:02 pmThat’s just gross. It’s base. Fox News is staffed with the urchins from hell.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:04 pmDream on Fox news. Senator Johnson is going to survive and the Senate will remain in the very capable hands of Harry Reid (who spent most of night at the hospital).
December 14th, 2006 at 4:09 pmRepugnant sharks are circling. It’s okay, though, when a Repugnant Senator has an incapacitating stroke and serves out the remaining four years as a no-show.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:18 pmUsing the Schiavo precedent, as far as I’m concerned, as long as Johnson is breathing - with or without mechanical assistance - then he is fit to represent the citizens of South Dakota.
I’m from Missouri, and the quart of Jim Beam that Kit Bond knocks back on a daily basis renders him at least as brain dead as Terry Schiavo ever was - and he still represents me.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:35 pmThe guy has to die to be replaced. There is no “Incapacitation rule”.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:38 pmMorons.
LOL
FOX = (supposed) news organization with (supposed) (snigger) journalistic integrity
while…
Posters = ANYONE IN THE WORLD
Think Robert
December 14th, 2006 at 5:14 pm#118
At least you aren’t denying that you are being hypocritical.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:18 pmThese Demoncrat scumbags are rubbing their hands in glee at the opportunity to keep control of the Senate.
Demoncrats do not care about a man’s life. They care about power.
These “good Christians†do not care about any human life but their own.
Let the Governor choose someone to replace this man so he can recover at home from his illness and be with his family.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:28 pmSeems to be a lot of vultures out there;
http://www.cbsnews.com/ stories/ 2006/ 12/ 13/ politics/ main2258875.shtml
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16199440/
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ ap/ 20061214/ ap_on_go_co/ johnson_senate_split
http://www.cnn.com/ 2006/ POLITICS/ 12/ 14/ johnson.ill/
CBS, CNN and two from AP. Your FOX bashing is sanctimonious at the lest.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:30 pmRemember when Strom Thurman was in the senate and he couldn’t even sit up by himself. He couldn’t walk, write or eat unless someone helped him, and the republicans did not talk about him being asked to resign. And when Spector was operated on for brain cancer they did not ask him to resign. Now since this democratic senator has a problem and the doctors say he is coming along OK, the republicans and their mouth pieces, the press, are calling for him to step down. AND THEY also PUT REAGAN UP FOR RE-ELECTION WHEN HE HAD ALzhemiers disease and they knew it.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:35 pmRemember when Strom Thurman was in the senate and he couldn’t even sit up by himself. He couldn’t walk, write or eat unless someone helped him, and the republicans did not talk about him being asked to resign.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:43 pmAnd when Spector was operated on for brain cancer they did not ask him to resign.
AND THEY PUT REAGAN UP FOR RE-ELECTION WHEN HE HAD ALzhemiers disease and they knew it.
And Cheney, hell he is a walking robot. He even disappears in most likely some hospital for months at a time when he is not shooting someone.
Now since this democratic senator has a problem and the doctors say he is coming along OK, the republicans and their mouth pieces, the press, are calling for him to step down
I was watching these clowns this morning and what really struck me, what really stood out, was I kept waiting for someone to say:
“Our thoughts are with the Senator’s family”, or something to that effect.
Shyeah right.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:47 pmI can’t stand Fox News, but I didn’t see Doocy show any “glee” in this video — or did I miss something? He was simply saying the same kind of thing I’ve heard said repeatedly the past couple days by progressive radio talkers. I think you guys are making an assumption about Doocy being full of “glee.”
December 14th, 2006 at 5:48 pm#135 Amen to that!
My best wishes to the Johnson family.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:49 pmThey created a narrative of good guys who care and bad guys who don’t; good guys who use government to get things done for people and bad guys who are out to destroy government and don’t get things done.
Let’s frame this correctly: Fox News is once more demonstrating how incapacitated they are!
December 14th, 2006 at 6:00 pmThey created a narrative of good guys who care and bad guys who don’t; good guys who use government to get things done for people and bad guys who are out to destroy government and don’t get things done.Let’s frame this correctly: Fox News is once more demonstrating how incapacitated they are!
… and I’m so incapacitated this afternoon I can’t even cut and paste!
*****************
Fox News Speculates How Officials Could ‘Declare’ Sen. Johnson ‘Incapacitated’i>
Let’s frame this correctly: Fox News is once more demonstrating how incapacitated they are!
(…. now let’s see if that works)
December 14th, 2006 at 6:05 pmOh man, the Republicans are praying that JOhnson will resign or die. THey better not get their hopes up.
December 14th, 2006 at 6:19 pmTWO WORDS
Strom Thurmond.
Now, just how long was he incapacited before he finally left and was there a movement to have him delcared so?
December 14th, 2006 at 6:25 pmI firmly believe that Bush has been incapacitated for the last 6 years. I also feel that Cheney is not all there either. I mean, how many friends do you have to shoot in the face before your toys get taken away for playing badly. So if that is the case, then the next in line shuld be sworn in immeidately. Hail to the new chief, Pelosi.
December 14th, 2006 at 6:58 pmThe attitude and remarks made by right wing nutcases during this unfortunate man’s fight for life are being watched very closely by the American people and they will have something to say about it, when the time comes, that will make November’s ‘thumping’ look like a tap on the wrist.
December 14th, 2006 at 7:09 pmFoxNews: MORBID, MUCH?
Jesus Crazy!
Why not:
If Dennis Hastert Dies of FAT LAZINESS & GLUTTONY, Then maybe the Dems could gain a TWO-SEAT margin in the Senate…
Right? Let’s obsess on that, relentlessly, for two days.
December 14th, 2006 at 7:15 pmAt least two, Herb.
You guys were licking your chops when Cheney shot his friend in the face. Not to say you were hoping the man would die, but rather you were hoping Cheney would get nailed for assult.
Comment by Tracy — December 14, 2006 @ 1:54 pm
Cheney non-accidentally shot someone. That’s assault. Which is a crime.
When someone commits a crime we want them to answer for it.
Don’t you? (Guess not.)
So much for the right’s claim to want “the rule of law.”
SR
December 14th, 2006 at 7:24 pmVultures. Pecking at the limbs, and flapping away when there’s still movement. Despicable, the lot of them.
Cheers,
December 14th, 2006 at 7:37 pmAccording to the latest news releases, Sen Johnson should be fine, and in no danger of losing his seat. However, if FAUX News continues to stress that demonstrable brain inactivity should disqualify a person from public service, we should ALL jump on the bandwagon, and INSIST that Bush and Cheney be given EEG’s so we can finally be rid of their asses.
Seriously, though, I have nothing but best wishes for Sen Johnson, his family, and friends. Since I’m an atheist, I won’t be praying for you, but I will be fervently hoping for the best.
December 14th, 2006 at 7:38 pmHmm. Call me a conspiracy theorist but the timing of this seems a but too convenient. If Congress would just do the right thing and IMPEACH we would solve a lot of problems… maybe.
December 14th, 2006 at 7:45 pmThe claim going around and being propagated especially by the corrupt corporate controlled press (CCCP) about the VP Dick Cheney breaking the anticipated (gleefully by the GOP) 50-50 split in the senate toward the GOP is complete BS and disinformation.
A 50-50 GOP/Dem split in the senate happened fairly recently when Independent Jeffords broke from supporting the GOP to the Dems, and the senate leadership became shared. Both parties amicably agreed to share power equally and Dick Cheney was not involved. Why would the legislative branch of our government seek the intrusion of the executive branch into its territory unless absolutely required? In fact, they would NOT; they closely guard their prerogatives. The Constitution only requires the VP to break a tie for legislation, not for internal rulemaking and protocols within the senate body. Why can’t the idiots in the CCCP do the tiniest amount of research and act checking to get such basic info correct? Or perhaps they are a GOP controlled front as many already suspect?
December 14th, 2006 at 8:19 pm[…] But this is Fox News I’m talking about. […]
December 14th, 2006 at 9:04 pmi bet all the criminals that are sittin in the oval office are drolling over this and praying to the devil for this mans demise so bushes sheep can regain power…if ya think about it dosent really matter because almost all of them are his followers dems and rep why dont you think ms polosi wont impeach this mob boss, these creeps that are suppost to work for the american people!!!!!!!!! really they are working for bushes interest and not ours they all need fired and sent to prison for there crimes.
cult worshippers
G W Bush and his pathitic father skulls & bones members that laid in coffins and drank from human skulls check it out if ya dont beleave me same for john kerry 2. and one more thing about FOX they call themselfs a news org O.K not they are just a propagada machine for the white house they are not about real news
john kerry
bill clinton
i think they need to do background checks on all future presidents just to make sure they are not devil worshippers and then we wouldnt have these problems.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:18 pmGod, Murdoch is desperate. Thank God he is neither an American citizen nor a member of Congress.
December 15th, 2006 at 12:34 amwow im impressed they got rid of rummy and replaced him with the “founder of al quaida robert gates!! it will never end war crimes war crimes war crimes hell i guess if ya want too be the defense secutary ya got too have war crimes on your record too get the job…..
December 15th, 2006 at 12:36 amrobert gates as the defense secutary should work out good for future attacks on the US since he IS the founder of Al Quiada. war criminal
the cowards that are running the senate need too impeach the whole bush adminastration for war crimes.but i guess We The People have no say anymore because bush is above the Law;)
December 15th, 2006 at 12:42 ambush is a war crimanal ,Robert gates the new defence secutary is the founder of al quida wow We The People have no say because bush and his buddys are above the Law…..
December 15th, 2006 at 12:45 amRandy said: “How long must Johnson’s family suffer. I believe its time to pull the plug. How do you guys feel about assisted suicide now. Lets do to him what was done to Terri Shiavo “.
1. Terry Schaivo’s brain, according to an autopsy, was atrophied and she was intellectually brain bead for quite some time. She was in a chronic vegatative state, contrary to what Bill Frist said from the floor of the Senate.
2. There is no “plug” to pull on Senator Johnson. Brain bleeding is a genetic condition; the surgery on Senator was successful, and he is expected to recover.
There are no historical parallels here. The law is quite clear on this. Unless Senator Johnson dies, the Governor of South Dakota cannot legally replace him.
Sheesh, talk about the blind leading the deaf…
Go back to school, boy. And if it’s law school, God help us.
December 15th, 2006 at 12:47 amYou gotta be kidding me? How low can this news organization - if I may call it that- go?
The scary thing is people will actually believe this too.
Unbelievable.
December 15th, 2006 at 1:08 amHe just has a problem with his brain, the 109th congress proved you don’t need a brain to function.
December 15th, 2006 at 2:10 amYou guys were licking your chops when Cheney shot his friend in the face. Not to say you were hoping the man would die, but rather you were hoping Cheney would get nailed for assult(SIC).
Comment by Tracy
Actually, Tracy, I wasn’t licking my chops nor hoping for such a thing, because, first of all, I judged it highly unlikely that Cheney would be nailed for something he could claim as an accident.
December 15th, 2006 at 2:31 amBut to imitate your penchant for attributing thoughts to people you don’t even know, I bet you were rooting hard for Clinton’s impeachment.
Now, back to this thread, Cheney’s assault really has nothing to do with Fox’s lack of knowledge of the procedures for handling a Senator, who has been incapacitated, temporarily or otherwise.
keep cheney away from that room.
December 15th, 2006 at 4:05 amThe most recent GOP talking points on the recent election has been that Republicans concede gracefully, while democrats use wily tricks like counting all the votes. The GOP may need reminding that their most recent tactics to thwart the results of the ballot box have been: impeachment proceedings against President Clinton; recall of the sitting California governor; illegal redistricting in Texas (by Tom Delay); and running to Daddy’s appointments to the Supreme Court to stop the 2000 Presidential election recall. The GOP ghouls who are both salivating and planning for a Senate coup had better read the constitution. Even with the SD Senator gone, there is still a 50-49 majority for the Democrats. Dick Cheney can keep his hunting dates in Wyoming…there’s no urgent work for him in the nation’s capitol.
December 15th, 2006 at 5:07 amGoddygod,
“Prepare for the biggest party in history if bush gets a sudden brain aneurysm.”
Not gonna happen — Bush doesn’t have a brain!
December 15th, 2006 at 8:54 amI didn’t know that Megan was a expert in senate rules. Glad that Fox is taking a wait and see on this one…
December 15th, 2006 at 9:11 amMy condolences to Neocons for their heartfelt grief and mourning, now that Sen Johnson is recovering and doing just fine.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:39 amWith Johnson out of the way, I can easily picture Rove putting the word mandate back in Bush’s mouth so he can go ahead and justify his actions on the basis of it being the will of the — well, of He who decided this should happen.
December 15th, 2006 at 1:10 pmYou better watch out. There are a lot of scums out there
December 15th, 2006 at 1:10 pmthat would like to remove one or two democratic senators
from the picture.
And with the help of some outside friends, they can do it
very easy
How terribly convenient for the Republicans, that Rounds would be the man who would have the power to name the Johnson’s replacement, if one is needed.
Mike Rounds, after all is the man who decided when Democratic Sen. Dick Hagen died in 2002, to appoint a Republican to replace him, even though the district was overwhelmingly Democrat.
But Rounds cannot appoint a replacement unless there is a vacancy.
Note that the late-U.S. Sen. Karl Mundt, who was re-elected in 1966, suffered a stroke in 1969 and did not vacate his seat, he served the remainder of his term with his staff doing most the work for him.
So the Republicans should not get too giggy about the supposed “wink and nod” from God(as you know this is how they see it), but realize, Johnson has to die or resign before they get their grubby little hands on his seat.
December 15th, 2006 at 2:17 pm#152
“When someone commits a crime we want them to answer for it”
So much for the right’s claim to want “the rule of law.â€
Only if the victim decides to press charges. Know the law first and then you won’t look dumb! LOL!
December 15th, 2006 at 3:36 pm#165
“I bet you were rooting hard for Clinton’s impeachment.”
Not impeachment, but yes charged criminally for purgery.
December 15th, 2006 at 3:46 pm“I bet you were rooting hard for Clinton’s impeachment.â€
Not impeachment, but yes charged criminally for purgery(SIC).
Comment by Tracy
I assume you mean “perjury.” But what I can gather from your various postings here, that never applies to Republicans.
December 15th, 2006 at 5:31 pmI think dick chaney should take G W bush hunting i heard dicks a good shot if ya know what i mean….
December 15th, 2006 at 8:44 pmWow, could any news channel be more edgy over a persons tragic health mis-givings (poisoned maybe)? This goes to show you how low our country has sank in the name of fear and terrorism-mongering. Do we not have any common sense left in this poor country? Do our leaders really believe the people stand behind them in their darkest hours of deceit? NOT
December 15th, 2006 at 8:50 pmI doubt the Lieberman scenario outlined above, because there are too many uncertainties and too many parties involved — there’s no way of being sure McCain will be the party’s nominee, or that the political landscape won&#