Foul play in the US senate?

[GavinMannion]

Democratic party control of the next US senate was cast into doubt after a US senator was rushed to the hospital and reportedly underwent brain surgery early on Thursday.

Seems innocent enough but what this means is that if he cannot continue a Republican governor will choose his replacement, which would obviously then be a republican. Which leaves the Senate in a 50-50 split with the Vice President being given the deciding vote. He is republican as well.

So is this a lucky break for the republicans or more like planned luck?

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2044689,00.html

[eidt]Sorry forgot the link. Thanks Bwana

 

[bwana]

Source please? There's no indication of the senator or the state.

EDIT - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6178065.stm

There is little precedent for forcing a living senator to stand down against his will.

A predecessor of Mr Johnson, Karl Mundt, continued to hold his Senate seat for three years after a stroke that incapacitated him in 1969, although he was unable to attend Senate sessions.

 

[chiskop]

I don't understand the American political system at all. Why would the senator not be replaced from within his own party?

 

[Alan]

Seems innocent enough but what this means is that if he cannot continue a Republican governor will choose his replacement, which would obviously then be a republican. Which leaves the Senate in a 50-50 split with the Vice President being given the deciding vote. He is republican as well.

So is this a lucky break for the republicans or more like planned luck?

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2044689,00.html

[eidt]Sorry forgot the link. Thanks Bwana

Devine intervention or maybe Karma

 

[kilps]

I don't understand the American political system at all. Why would the senator not be replaced from within his own party?

I think it has to do with senators representing states ... so it falls to the head of state - ie governor - to choose his replacement until an election can be held

Apparently the problem is that there are conflicting laws as to when the election should happen (+-90 days afterwards or at the next big election) ... i'll try and find the digg story just now which has the details

 

[bwana]

I don't understand the American political system at all. Why would the senator not be replaced from within his own party?

Its a constitutional issue - The 17 Amendment

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of each State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

 

[kilps]

Here is the article which describes the problem - http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Senator_Tim_Johnson_reportedly_suffers_stroke_1213.html

and the digg story if anyone is interested ... http://digg.com/politics/BREAKING_Senator_Johnson_reportedly_suffers_stroke_Senate_power_might_tip