WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2007
Sen. Johnson Working, Remains Hospitalized
South Dakota Democrat's Return To Senate Could Take Several Weeks, Aide Says
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'Capitol Bob' On Sen. Johnson
"Capitol Bob" Schieffer speaks with Hannah Storm about South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson's condition and the possible impact on the new congress.
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Sen. Johnson Recovering
South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson is continuing to recover from brain surgery, and doctors say they're seeing encouraging signs. Sharyl Attkisson reports on the senator's condition.
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The Balance Of Power
Sen. Tim Johnson's sudden illness has prompted much discussion about whether control of the Senate will swing back to the Republicans. Gloria Borger looks back to see if there are any precedents.
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Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., continues to recover from a December brain hemorrhage. (AP (file))
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"At this point, he has requested more contact with office and is looking for updates from staff," his office said in a statement Friday.
Spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said the South Dakota Democrat is starting slowly.
"We do not anticipate him back (in the Senate) for several weeks," Fisher said. "We are bringing work to him rather than him coming to us. His first priority still is rehabilitation."
Though Johnson's family and doctors have made frequent statements during his recovery, the senator has yet to appear on camera or release any personal remarks on his recovery, written or otherwise.
Johnson has been undergoing physical, occupational and speech therapy since he was transferred to rehabilitation from intensive care at George Washington University Hospital last month. He recently began to read and speak in full sentences, according to statements from his doctors.
Part of Johnson's therapy has been to deal with weakness on his right side. Doctors have said Johnson showed that weakness when he arrived at the hospital Dec. 13.
He was rushed to the hospital after becoming disoriented during a phone call with reporters and underwent emergency surgery hours later. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.
Johnson was sedated and on a ventilator for several weeks due to fluid that developed in his lungs as a result of the initial hemorrhage. He was upgraded from critical to fair condition on Jan. 9.
The senator is making decisions about his health care and expressing opinions on his daily activities, the hospital's chief of rehabilitation, Dr. Philip Marion, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.
"He continues to initiate more conversations and questions," Marion said. "His therapy now includes computer exercises and problem-solving activities."
Fisher said recovery is still expected to take some time, saying, "This is not going to be full speed yet."
Johnson's wife, Barbara, said the family is impressed with his progress: "Even though there is a long road ahead to complete recovery, we feel that we have gotten 'our Tim' back."
The senator's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the Senate. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Between the GOP's right to filibuster in the Senate & Dubya's veto power, stalemate is the best that can be hoped for. After all, political power in Congress is still virtually 50/50.
For those who are fed up with the way Republicans & right-wing extremists have been wielding their political power, they must wait another 2 years to effect true change in Washington.
It is the price this nation must pay for voters allowing the political situation in this country get so far out of whack.
Posted by HawkSprings at 08:32 PM : Feb 10, 2007
LOL Now isn't that the Fascist way? The VOTERS picked ONE way and they don't agree sooo.... rig the system? ROFLMAO I mean after all the Fascist did SO much the last time they had control didn't they. I can still remember them rushing back to pass a law keeping that Brain Dead Woman alive. Always at the beck and call of the leaders of the Religious Reich... TONS of dollars can't be accounted for under their watch but we passed a law to interfer in ONE familys dispute over a Brain Dead Woman... Wow!
Between the GOP's right to filibuster in the Senate & Dubya's veto power, stalemate is the best that can be hoped for. After all, political power in Congress is still virtually 50/50.
For those who are fed up with the way Republicans & right-wing extremists have been wielding their political power, they must wait another 2 years to effect true change in Washington.
It is the price this nation must pay for voters allowing the political situation in this country get so far out of whack.
Yes you are right but if history is any indication it will be a long long time before they get back to a position of doing this kind of harm to our nation. When the Fascist took control of the senate in the 50's the same thing happened. It took them form then until 2004 to really get control again and again they made a complete mess of things. Someday we will learn what the German's did, FASCIST can't govern in a Democracy.