In South Dakota Race, Gauging the Impact of a Senator Tim Johnson's Health

[groovedaddy]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Senator Tim Johnson speaks slowly and haltingly, and is sometimes difficult to understand. He moves with a cane, and spends much of his time in a wheelchair. He rarely addresses large crowds, and he has declined a request to debate his Republican challenger in next month’s election.

Mr. Johnson’s supporters in South Dakota, a state with a large share of older people familiar with health problems, say they have been inspired by his display of grit in battling back from a brain hemorrhage nearly two years ago.

But questions about Mr. Johnson’s health — until now largely off limits and deemed unseemly — are being raised publicly by his Republican opponent, Joel Dean Dykstra, a state representative. Mr. Dykstra said voters “want some evidence as to whether he can hold his own.”

It is sensitive territory, but some voters say they fret that Mr. Johnson’s health issues could shortchange South Dakota in Washington, especially during a time of deep financial crisis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/us/politics/23dakota.html?th&emc=th

[napi21]

1. I've been thinking about Tim and wondering how he was doing. I

haven't heard anything about him is a long time. If He really wants to return to the Senate, I HOPE he wins the election.