Breaking: Report: Sen. Tim Johnson suffers stroke
Ian Schwartz

Senator Tim Johnson (D - SD) has reportedly suffered a stroke. His condition is unknown. Please keep his health and safety in your prayers. If the Senator does step down, or God forbid, passes away, the majority part of the Senate could change as North Dakota has a Republican Governor.

MSNBC.com has a video report.

Raw Story describes the report: ...

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Report: Senator suffers stroke
Michelle Malkin

It's unconfirmed, but word is that U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) has suffered a stroke. First and foremost, keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. There's already a rush to calculate the political consequences in the Senate. Left-wing blog Raw Story has details:

MSNBC is currently reporting that Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) has suffered a stroke.

There is no word, currently, on the Senator's condition.

A call from RAW STORY to Johnson's office has not yet been returned.

If Johnson were to pass away, or be forced to retire, the US Constitution delegates the task of appointing a replacement to South Dakota lawmakers, who in turn, often turn that task over to the Governor. The Governor of that state, Mike Rounds, is a Republican, and both houses of the state legislature are dominated by Republicans. ...

*** Update and bump. Original timestamp 2006.12.13.15:44

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson Falls Ill, Undergoes Surgery
Control of Chamber Could Be in Question if He Cannot Serve
By Charles Babington and Jonathan Weisman, Washington Post Staff Writers

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was in surgery last night after falling ill at the Capitol, introducing a note of uncertainty over control of the Senate just weeks before Democrats are to take over with a one-vote margin.

Johnson, 59, was taken to George Washington University Hospital shortly after noon, where he underwent "a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," his office said. Aides later said he had not suffered a stroke or heart attack, but they offered no further comment or details of the surgery. ...

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Sen. Johnson Undergoes Surgery for Stroke-Like Symptoms

WASHINGTON —  South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson underwent surgery for stroke-like symptoms at George Washington University hospital in Washington, D.C. Wednesday after becoming disoriented Wednesday.

There was no word on the nature of the surgery, which lasted past midnight, or on Johnson's condition.

According to a spokeswoman for the senator, Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. His office had said earlier it was a possible stroke.

But several hours after she spoke, Dr. John Eisold, the Capitol physician, called that into question with a statement of his own.

"Senator Tim Johnson was admitted to the George Washington University Hospital today with the symptoms of a stroke. He is currently under the care of physicians at the George Washington University Hospital." ...

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Senator undergoing brain surgery, sources say

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was undergoing brain surgery early Thursday at George Washington University Hospital after suffering stroke-like symptoms, two Democratic sources familiar with his condition told CNN.

Johnson, 59, was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after he appeared to suffer stroke-like symptoms, although a spokeswoman for the senator said subsequent evaluation showed he did not suffer a stroke or a heart attack.

Staffers told CNN Johnson was conscious when he was transported to the hospital.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, spent time at the hospital out of concern for [the Dem majority] Johnson, Reid's spokesman said.

Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said the senator was in the Capitol on Wednesday morning conducting a conference call with South Dakota reporters when "his speech pattern slipped off." (Listen to Johnson's difficulty speaking during a WNAX radio interview -- MP3, 749 kb)

Fisher said the senator was able to walk back to his office in the Hart Senate Office Building, then began having problems with his right arm. He thought he was all right, she said, and went to his desk, but came out a few minutes later and "it was apparent he needed help."