Reid: Ailing senator shows some progress (Sen. Tim Johnson)

[Kadie]

Reid: Ailing senator shows some progress
21 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - Sen. Tim Johnson (news, bio, voting record) has shown significant improvement after brain surgery and doctors say "everything is going to be just fine," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said Sunday.

Yet when asked whether the 59-year-old South Dakota Democrat was conscious, Reid said in a television interview: "I'm not a doctor. I have heard and talked to his family. You should talk to them. It's not appropriate to talk to me about that."

Reid, who has visited Johnson frequently after the surgery Wednesday following a brain hemorrhage, said "he's doing very well. ... His improvement has been significant."

Johnson has responded to voices, opened his eyes and moved his limbs.

snip...
"Doctors tell us everything is going to be just fine," Reid said.


more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061217/ap_on_go_co/johnson

[undeterred]

1. But we don't know when he's going to be able to work

and it probably won't be in a couple of weeks.

[Oleladylib]

2. whenever he feels like it ..is just fine..if he is in rehab and a vote comes up...

if he is comfortable with it..it is HIS call...what is best for him is all the matters.

[hlthe2b]

3. Re: "But we don't know when he's going to be able to work"

Well, if the Repugs make an issue of that, they will have opened the proverbial "Pandora's Box." Bring it on, assholes...

:toast: to Senator Johnson's thorough, uncomplicated recovery. AND also to Republican Senator Craig Thomas (WY) who is being treated for recently diagnosed leukemia. (I am no hypocrit).

[undeterred]

4. If he has trouble speaking

Well, then he'd be no different than Bush, I guess. But if he has to re-learn speaking I would think it would be difficult to carry out his duties as Senator.

[hlthe2b]

5. Nothing requires a Senator to be able to speak.. Deaf or mute

people are not restricted from running. There is precedent of a Senator who could only point to his eye (to indicate "AYE")for his vote, after a major stroke... Another SD Senator refused to resign but never returned for another vote. There is no Constitutional address, nor definition for "incapacitation."

Two words to the asshole Repugs who want to make an issue, Strom Thurmond. The current KY Senator is also said to be so far down the Alzheimer "hole" that he is equally incapacitated.