Conspiracy theorist in me suspects Bush, GOP...

As long as he is still alive--with a pulse--he cannot be removed. He can choose to step down but he cannot be removed.

 

My guess is that Johnson will serve out the remaining two years of his term and then retire. Herseth is a shoo-in for the Dem nomination and Rounds is the only GOP pol who can beat her. So Rounds will have to make the decision if he wants to run.

If, God forbid, Johnson died and I were Rounds, I would probably appoint a Democrat to the seat. It is the right thing to do morally and politically. I would choose someone who had no intention of running for the seat in 2008, leaving the field wide open on both sides.

 

Reasonable, prudent and proper... ergo His Holiness' scenario has no shot.

 

One small problem with that: It's Congress that pays the bills.

 

Is that what killed Ironhead?

 

First off, I wish Mr. Johnson a full and speedy recovery.

With that out of the way, I have one comment and one question.

Comment: Pope, South Dakotans elected Rounds governor. One of the duties of governor is to appoint a senator should one of the state's two senators die in office or resign. Just because Johnson is a democratic does not put Rounds under any obligation to appoint another democratic. He's supposed to appoint a person he feels is most qualified. As he's a Republican, I would think/hope he'd feel another Republican fits that bill.

Question: If Johnson turned out to have severe brain damage and was in a persistent vegetative state, would Dems remain consistent and cheer for him to be starved to death like Terri Schiavo or would they fight to the death to keep him tube-fed and on a respirator? I'm betting the latter.

 

Is that you, Yawn?

 

No, but your response was so predictable that it did inspire a yawn.

 

I know it's late, but geez, where's the "We have a president in a persistent vegetative state" post?

 

It's in a persistent vegetative state

 

Karl Mundt was dead weight for the final four years of his SD senatorial career, decades back.
He didn't quit, and he wasn't pushed.