Ghoulfest

As you may have heard, Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) was stricken yesterday with what were called “stroke like” symptoms. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition causing blood vessels in the brain to tangle. He had successful brain surgery and, while listed in critical condition, doctors say that he is recovering.

Whenever a sitting Senator undergoes any surgery, it is news. But the slant of the reporting in this case has been purely, ghoulishly political. If Johnson dies or is otherwise unable to serve, South Dakota’s Republican Governor could replace the Democrat with a Republican, shifting the Senate back to GOP control. The fact that the guy was in mortal danger seems an afterthought to the chattering classes infinitely more interested in the balance of power story. Hell, it seems some folks are actively rooting for his incapacitation, just so the storyline can get more interesting. Washington is a town with some whacked out priorities.