Sen. Johnson Working, Remains Hospitalized

South Dakota Democrat's Return To Senate Could Take Several Weeks, Aide Says

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Tim Johnson is reading news clippings and starting to do some office work from the hospital, almost two months after suffering a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.

"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.

[bluestardad]

MOst people with half a brain can run for senate!

[rafterman1]

Admit it, whether you are Dem or Repub, no one cared about the guy, we all only cared about the seat in the Senate :)

[hawksprings]

Oh skyk, why don't you go to an abortion clinic and kill some more babies?

[skyk-2009]

Despite Johnson's ability to return to work, little will change in Congress for the next 2 years.
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.

[skyk-2009]

Johnson needs to resign and let a Republican have his seat. He's been in D.C. for too long anyways. He's earned a rest.
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!

[newsjeff-2009]

I am sure many would like Johnson to just resign his seat, so governor Rounds could appoint a GOP Pro-Bush,Pro-Big Business,anti-homosexual,anti-labor,etc., republican senate replacement. The GOP has had their way for too long: controlling the senate,white house,congress and look at the mess this country is in now. If a GOP replacement canidate was named by Governor Rounds, it could even be a liberal in one way, since Cheney said his pregnant daughter and daughter-in-law are not to be used as political whipping posts by the news media, I guess that means a GOP senator or any political leader should be free to be homosexual as well since Cheney says we should leave his daughter alone, since the GOP party is about equal rights for everyone.

[adian1-2009]

I just hope that the good man gets well and whish him the optimum recovery and the best of everything for his family and him.!!! Yes, I am one who voted to bring down the Republicans. But..., even if we do not get a majority, I just can't care more about that than about the good man's health. May FULL HEALTH COME BACK TO YOU, SENATOR!

[hawksprings]

Johnson needs to resign and let a Republican have his seat. He's been in D.C. for too long anyways. He's earned a rest.

[book54552134]

Despite Johnson's ability to return to work, little will change in Congress for the next 2 years.
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.

[bluestardad]

Get well soon the republicans are playing with your seat!