Senate Control Hangs in Balance as Sen. Tim Johnson Remains in Critical Condition

UPDATE, December 28, 2006, from Sen. Tim Johnson's office:

"On U.S. Senator Tim Johnson's 60th birthday, he remains in the intensive care unit at George Washington University Hospital and is surrounded by his family. " 'Senator Johnson's overall general medical condition has improved and he is gradually being weaned from the sedation,' said Vivek Deshmukh, MD, neurosurgeon at The George Washington University Hospital. 'He is opening his eyes and is responsive to his wife.'

It is anticipated that Senator Johnson will undergo further testing in the coming days. He remains in critical condition.

'Tim continues to give us great hope. His tests are encouraging and he has been responding to me...

Two of our children were able to be with Tim and me today, and we continue to appreciate the birthday wishes and prayers he has received, as well as the excellent care that he is receiving from everyone at George Washington University Hospital,' said Barbara Johnson, wife of Senator Johnson. "

UPDATE, December 19, 2006, AP via Yahoo News:

"South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson has been exceeding expectations in his recovery from emergency brain surgery last week, his son Brendan said Tuesday.

Brendan Johnson, a Sioux Falls lawyer, said in an interview with The Associated Press that his father has been responding repeatedly to directions from his mother, Barbara. But he is not yet speaking.

'It's fair to say he's been exceeding expectations up to this point,' Brendan Johnson said. 'All the tests and the indications now are positive.'

... Johnson's spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher, said Tuesday that Johnson remains in critical but stable condition and is still sedated, though he has been conscious at times and his CT scans 'continue to go well.' "

UPDATE, December 18, 2006, from the Argus Leader, a Sioux Falls, SD newspaper:

"Sen. Tim Johnson continued his recovery Sunday, resting throughout the day at George Washington University Medical Center. His condition, as anticipated, remained unchanged: critical, but stable.

'Nothing has changed,' spokesman Noah Pinegar said. "It's been another day of rest for Tim, which is good at this point."

UPDATE, released on December 15, 2006, by Sen. Tim Johnson's office:

"The surgery was considered a success. The surgeons evacuated the blood and stabilized the bleeding. The surgery also relieved the pressure on the brain.

Senator Johnson remains in the ICU in critical but stable condition. 'Considering his initial presentation, his progress is encouraging. He is now stabilized and continues to show signs of responsiveness to the medical staff and the family' says Dr. Anthony Caputy.

Routinely patients with an intracranial hemorrhage experience post-operative swelling of the brain. 'Much like a bruise, it takes time to heal,' says Dr. Caputy.

Post-operative monitoring includes regular CT Scans. The most recent was done this morning.

Says Dr. Vivek Deshmukh 'His most recent CT Scan shows that the pressure has been relieved from his brain and there is no further bleeding. Currently his brain pressures are normal and we will continue to monitor this closely for several days'...

It is anticipated that Senator Johnson will be in the hospital until brain swelling goes down and his overall condition improves. As he presented with weakness on his right side, doctors anticipate that physical therapy will be part of recovery. "

Related Reading
Sen. Johnson Not Required to Step Down, by Robert Longley, About.com Guide to Gov't Info
Strokes Causes by Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM), by Suzanne Ryan, About.com's Guide to Stroke

UPDATE on late afternoon, December 14, 2006 - Sen. Tim Johnson's office released the following statement:

"Barbara Johnson said, 'I would like to thank the people of South Dakota for their love and support as Tim has met this unexpected challenge. Our family is very pleased with his progress and the excellent care he is receiving at George Washington University Hospital. We ask for your continued prayers as Tim continues through the recovery process.'

Mrs. Johnson continued by saying that Senator Johnson was responding to her voice and following directions after the surgery. By this morning, he was reaching for and holding her hand.

Earlier this afternoon, Admiral John Eisold, Attending Physician of the United States Capitol said, 'Senator Tim 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.' "

Although I heard of it yesterday, I haven't yet written about the medical condition of Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) because it seems ghoulish. But the subject looms large today, and is unavoidable.

Yesterday morning, 2-term Senator Johnson was rushed to a D.C. hospital when he suffered stroke-like symptoms in his Senate office. The 60 year old senator underwent surgery last night for intracerebral bleeding, and this morning, remains in critical but stable condition.

Senator Tim Johnson's wife, Barbara, told the press that she "is encouraged and optimistic" about the prognosis for his long-term recovery.

Said the U.S. Capitol physician Adm. John Eisold, "It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long-term prognosis."

Possible Political Ramifications
Although Democrats surprised even themselves by winning control of the U.S. Senate for 2007-08, they did so by the thinnest of margins: 49 to 49, plus two Independents (including Sen. Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat who ran for reelection under a bipartisan banner) who both plan to caucus with the Democrats.

If just one Democrat were to leave office, and be replaced by a Republican, the Senate partisan split would be 50-50... assuming both Independents continued to opt to lean Democratic.

If Senator Johnson was unable to complete the last two years of his second term, the governor of red-state South Dakota would appoint a temporary replacement, and then hold a special election to replace Johnson. While the governor and both state legislative houses are Republican, it's unclear that the state would elect a Republican to replace this Democratic senator.

The political ramifications of the Senate possibly returning to Republican control are enormous, and involve Senate legislative priorities and chairmanships of the powerful Senate Committees.

But a man's life hangs precariously in the balance, and that is, and should be, the greater concern.

Reactions
The White House simply stated, "“Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family.”

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who visited Senator Johnson at his bedside, released this statement today: "Senator Johnson is a dear friend to me and to all of us here in the Senate. Every member of the United States Senate sends our best to him and to his family at this difficult time, and we wish him a full recovery."

I offer my prayers for Senator Johnson's recovery, and for his family. God speed...

Related Reading
U.S. Senate Democratic Leadership Team for 2007-08
U.S. Senate Committee Chairs for 2007-08