Ailing Senator Returns to Hill

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Sep 5, 11:52 AM EDT

Ailing Senator Returns to Hill

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson returned to the Senate on Wednesday physically weaker but saying he anticipates running for re-election next year.

Johnson, a Democrat, has been out since suffering a life-threatening brain hemorrhage nine months ago. The effects of the hemorrhage are clear - he uses a scooter to get around and his words are slow and slurred.

But his mind appears sharp, and he gave every indication of wanting to stay.

"It feels good and I'm ready to go," he said after returning to his office.


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AILING_SENATOR_RETURN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-09-05-11-52-09

[Judi Lynn]

1. Sen. Johnson welcomed back to work

Sen. Johnson welcomed back to work
Posted 15m ago

By Faith Bremner, Gannett News Service

WASHINGTON — Dozens of staffers, photographers and reporters greeted Sen. Tim Johnson outside his Capitol Hill office Wednesday morning, his first day back at the office since suffering a brain hemorrhage last December.
Amid applause and cheers, Johnson mouthed the words "thank you," as he moved along in a motorized wheelchair.

The South Dakota Democrat paused for photos with his wife, Barbara, and told the crowd, "I'm anxious to get back to work."

Johnson, 60, was rushed to the hospital Dec. 13 after becoming disoriented during a late-morning conference call with reporters. He had emergency brain surgery hours later after being diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins in the brain to grow abnormally large and sometimes break.

His hospitalization ignited intense speculation in Washington about whether Democrats would lose control of the narrowly divided Senate if Johnson were not able to serve.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-09-05-johnson-return_N.htm

[truthisfreedom]

2. Our Senators get injured. Their Senators get arrested.

And it's always about sex, booze, and corruption.

Okay, we did have that one guy with the $90K in his freezer. One bad apple.

On edit... pardon me, Senator... WELCOME BACK!

[niyad]

3. welcome back, senator johnson

[Javaman]

4. Welcome back, Senator!! nt

[snowbear]

5. They should've titled the article "healing senator", not "ailing senator" ...

But still ~ how awesome that he's BACK and that he said his doctor's believe his speech and motor functions should eventually return to completely normal.



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[Judi Lynn]

7. You bet! "Ailing senator" falls a little flat. Great photo, by the way. It's TERRIFIC. n/t

[Scurrilous]

6. Good News!

:thumbsup: