Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) is seen in an undated file photo. Johnson was critically ill but stable on Thursday after brain surgery for a potentially deadly bleeding that could deprive his fellow Democrats of their razor-thin hold on the new Senate.

Washington Post: Democratic Sen. Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was in stable condition yesterday after emergency brain surgery, prompting optimism among family and friends and at least temporarily stanching speculation that the Democrats’ narrow control of the next Senate might be in jeopardy.

But Capitol aides predicted tough negotiations between the two parties early next month over the rules for organizing the new Senate, particularly those that would address the possibility that a Democratic seat could be vacated because of illness or death.

Senator Johnson will not be well enough to vote at the organization meeting, January 4, 2007. There is little doubt about this fact. He may never return to the United States Senate.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) (R) walks into the George Washington University hospital in Washington December 15, 2006 to visit Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) who is recovering from brain surgery. If Senator Johnson is unable to return to work in the U.S. Senate, Republicans could effectively regain control, with Vice President Dick Cheney casting tie breaking votes.

On the other hand, after many months of rehabilitation he may again be a productive United States Senator. But, will he desire this? Also, he would have to begin soon to run for re-election in a red state.

The best case for the Democrats is to agree to the 2001 deal (brokered by Daschle and Lott). If they do not, then how will they justify a majority leadership when in fact they are in the minority (48 plus two independents vs. 49 GOP Senators)?

Even if Johnson recuperates fully, aides and advisers said, Democrats will be painfully aware that they remain one fatal illness — or one party switch — away from a Republican claim on their majority, which has stood at 51 to 49 since the Nov. 7 elections. The two parties may clash in particular over an agreement made in 2001 that enabled Democrats to seize the majority after one Republican senator switched parties. Republicans are likely to try to revive the precedent, according to the congressional aides, and Democrats are likely to fight it.

Let the Democrats fight the agreement.

An already gridlocked Senate will grind to a complete halt as rule change after rule change is filibustered while Senator Johnson languishes in limbo.

And what about Lieberman?

Stay tuned……..