I hadn't planned on commenting on this story, because I don't like the political discussions revolving around Johnson's health issues. I think considering the implications of his death/incapacity are unseemly, and betray a certain ghoulishness on the part of some commentators.

The basic story is this.

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was in surgery last night after falling ill at the Capitol, introducing a note of uncertainty over control of the Senate just weeks before Democrats are to take over with a one-vote margin.

Johnson, 59, was taken to George Washington University Hospital shortly after noon, where he underwent "a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," his office said. Aides later said he had not suffered a stroke or heart attack, but they offered no further comment or details of the surgery.

The NY Times says a bit more.

At 11 p.m., Mr. Johnson was undergoing surgery, and was expected to be in the operating room until the early morning hours.

That isn't good.

I agree with Captain Ed.

So skip the calculations and the political fallout from Johnson's ailment. Let's just pray he'll fully recover and continue his representation of his constituents in the Senate. If that's not the case, we can do the math when it becomes necessary.

Michelle Malkin makes a similar point.

The prayers and best wishes of both the Right and Left (my darling wife calls the speculation "disgusting") in my household are with Johnson and his family. Let's worry about the human side of this situation, and leave the politics for another day, if we have to be concerned with such things at all.

Posted by: Greg at 11:49 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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