Senator Tim Johnson continues to be in the prayers of many today as he is recovering from brain surgery he had last night after suffering “stroke-like” symptoms.
Johnson is still in critical condition, but something else in critical condition for much different reasons is the reaction from the usual suspects on the far left on how the media has framed Johnson’s health almost from the word go in terms of how it could impact the Senate. While I join those on the left and right in condemning the MSM for how they came out of the gate last night with reports on how his condition could affect the balance of the Senate come January, I’m a bit mystified as to the far left’s attempts today to try and paint the media as a tool of the right simply because they are writing about what this means in terms of what the future may hold for the make-up of the Senate. Check out some posts from some of the lefty blogs at Memeorandum and you’ll see what I mean.
Take this one from Kos himself, for example:
Can Fox News and the AP hold off on the drooling, at least until it might be more warranted?
I mean, what’s with the AP headline?
Senate back to 50-50 with Johnson out
Firs of all, Johnson isn’t out. Furthermore, we don’t know what Gov. Rounds would do if forced to fill a vacancy, so we don’t know if it would be 50-50. (The pressure to appoint Johnson’s son as a “legacy” fill-in until the 2008 elections would be intense.)
But we can’t let the facts stand in the way of barely restrained premature celebrations.
Uh - “premature celebrations”? I could maybe understand if it was just Fox News talking about how the Senate could look if Johnson can no longer serve out his term, but - well - just about every media outlet is speculating on the same thing. It’s clearly been established via the admissions of many in the MSM that the media are liberally biased, so why on earth would they possibly be “celebrating” the possibility of the Senate going into Republican hands again?
Now let’s take a look at what Judd from the liberal Think Progress blog is saying:
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) is at George Washington University hospital, recovering from brain surgery.
Meanwhile, Fox News is speculating how the balance of power could shift in the Senate, even if Sen. Johnson survived. Fox’s Steve Doocy said that although “the issue of incapacitation is not spelled out in the state law,” there “would be a precedent of the federal level.”
Another Fox anchor added, “We’ll have to see what happens in terms of what exactly his condition is and who’s going to weigh in on whether it’s an incapacitation or whether that’s just clear from the facts.”
This is filed in the “Radical Right Wing Agenda” category at Think Progress. Surprise surprise. Noteably absent from Think Progress’ blog in any posts there are the countless other articles written by others in the MSM speculating on what the future may hold for the Senate should Johnson be too ill to continue serving. With one of their own in the hospital in critical condition, there’s still time to engage in some good ol’ read meat Fox News bashing, eh?
Chris Bowers at the MyDD blog also singles out Fox News’ coverage here, with no mention of the too-many-to-count stories of MSM speculation across the spectrum on Johnson and the Senate balance.
By my count, we’ve got one very popular far lefty blog insinuating that the entire MSM are “celebrating” over the possibility of Johnson being too ill to serve as of the entire MSM were conservatively biased (and we know they’re not) and two other popular far lefty blogs deliberately ignoring the fact that news outlets other than Fox are rampantly engaging in such speculation, as noted by the Google News link I provided, which I’ll link up to once more.
I sincerely wish Senator Johnson a full, quick recovery. I also sincerely wish that the far lefties in the blogosphere would show a little more honesty on the issue of media coverage in terms of who is engaging in what as it relates to what’s going on with Senator Tim Johnson. Ceasing the nonsense about how the entire MSM is “celebrating” a possible Johnson incapacitation would be helpful, too.
As a side note, I wonder how long it will be before some nut starts a conspiracy theory that Karl Rove (or some other evil right wing politico) had “something to do” with what happened to Johnson because they “couldn’t take” that we’d lost both houses of Congress? Hey, it happened with Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone in 2002 and Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan in 2000 when he ran against John Ashcroft for the Senate (as a refresher, both died in plane crashes a few weeks before the elections) , so why not this one, too? Never underestimate the power of a cooked up conspiracy theory from the Nutroots.
Update 2:29 PM: Toldjah So (hat tip: ST reader Sev).
More: MKH points to some very tasteless political speculation about Strom Thurmond back from 2001 at the liberal Nation magazine, speculation that was done before Senator Thurmond passed away. WuzzaDem takes a look at what’s happening at the Daily Kos on this story in the comments section.
Update 3:24 PM: Webloggin’ is also checking out the Kos conspiracy theorists (hat tip: Greg Tinti). Dan Collins at PW is monitoring the lefty reaction to this story as well.
Others blogging about this: Tom Maguire, Suitably Flip, Blogs of War, FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog
Progressives single out FauxNews because it is a bought and paid for marketing arm of the Republican party. Anytime a Bushco person needs to speak to a friendly audience, where do they go - that’s right, to Faux News. Who was selected as the new White House spokesperson - that’s right, Tony Slow of Faux news. So while I am watching my nightly news casts, all of them - all of them - spoke to the topic of what would happen to the power swing in the Senate. All of them spoke to this topic - not just liberal, not just conservative - all of them. Here’s hoping everybody is wishing Senator Johnson a speedy and full recovery.
Comment by Tom @ 12/14/2006 - 2:22 pm
Didn’t take long did it?
Comment by Severian @ 12/14/2006 - 2:22 pm
Well, Tom is well and truly into moonbat, nutcase, BDS territory. I’ve seldom seen so much BS crammed into one paragraph.
Comment by Severian @ 12/14/2006 - 2:34 pm
More moonbat theories here Sis.
LINK
Comment by Karl @ 12/14/2006 - 2:37 pm
Sev, I was wondering the same thing. I knew before the day was out some idiot would blurt out some mindless theory that eeeevil Republicans were behind Senator Johnson’s stroke. The only question was which one of the usual suspects. Now we know.
And the funny part is that even DU has banned any such nonsense. When you’re too loony for DU, you’ve passed into a whole new dimension of BDS.
Speaking of which, it seems Tom’s stopped just short of that line, thankfully. But he did remember to wear his old tinfoil hat while visiting today:
Progressives single out FauxNews because it is a bought and paid for marketing arm of the Republican party.
Progressives? You mean liberals. Come on, for once stand up for what you believe instead of trying to hide it under a reinvented label. And as for your charge, it’s nonsense. Last time I looked, people like Colmes and Van Sustren were on Fox and weren’t exactly repeating the White House line.
All of them spoke to this topic - not just liberal, not just conservative - all of them.
And therefore it stands that Fox News’ coverage from that angle is legitimate, and therefore Kos and the rest of left who are whining about it are, shall we say, not wrapped too tightly? If everyone’s doing it, there’s no good reason at all to single out Fox.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/14/2006 - 3:18 pm
If everyone’s doing it, there’s no good reason at all to single out Fox.
More of the incredible myopia that affects liberals, they only see it if conservatives do it, and give a free pass and ignore far worse abuses from their own.
Comment by Severian @ 12/14/2006 - 3:26 pm
Here’s hoping everybody is wishing Senator Johnson a speedy and full recovery.
Tom, that we do. You might want to take a quick look through the conservative side of the blogosphere. You’ll find posts wishing for the Senator’s recovery all over the place. ST did it here, and I found nine other major blogs - places like CQ, Malkin, Wizbang - all doing the same.
Compare that to the death wishes your side spews whenever the shoe is on the other foot. Then you might want to come back here and explain why hate is such an integral part of the modern moonbat mentality.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/14/2006 - 3:26 pm
No no GWR, that’s not hate, that’s “love.” Didn’t you get the Newspeak memo changing the terms, hate is love, liberal is progressive, etc.
Comment by Severian @ 12/14/2006 - 3:32 pm
It’s no wonder Fox has great ratings. Liberals watch it a lot.
Comment by William Teach @ 12/14/2006 - 3:41 pm
Progressives? You mean liberals. Come on, for once stand up for what you believe instead of trying to hide it under a reinvented label. Sir, you are in no position to speak to my political ideology. You don’t know me and the presumption on your part that progressives=liberals is wrong on its face. It would be the same incorrect analogy to say that Republicans are conservatives. Both labels fail to explain the entire story of either party. There are many people who don’t fit nicely into your straight jacket view of political stances. For the record, I am not liberal. I’ve been in the military and have had the opportunity to see our enemies face to face. Have you? I am more than happy to debate/dicuss any topic that appeals to you. It does your position no good to presume you know the mind of the other person. My comment was merely saying that all media (yours, mine, theirs) seemed to move away from the health issues Mr Johnson has into the area of power struggles. It would have been best if we backed off a day or two to ascertain his condition. Yes, I agree the left has been impolite in this regard, the right also. I say we take a time out to make sure an elected member of the Senate gets well and returns to the job he was elected to do. Makes sense, no?
Comment by Tom @ 12/14/2006 - 5:46 pm
You judge the mind of the other person from their words and deeds Tom, and based on your words, you are a full fledged BDS suffering liberal. You may want to deny it all you can, but anyone who can come up with the kind of twaddle you did in that first post is borderline deranged. Now you’re backpedaling and saying “My comment was merely saying that all media (yours, mine, theirs) seemed to move away from the health issues Mr Johnson has into the area of power struggles.” but let’s look at your post:
Progressives single out FauxNews because it is a bought and paid for marketing arm of the Republican party. Anytime a Bushco person needs to speak to a friendly audience, where do they go - that’s right, to Faux News. Who was selected as the new White House spokesperson - that’s right, Tony Slow of Faux news. So while I am watching my nightly news casts, all of them - all of them - spoke to the topic of what would happen to the power swing in the Senate. All of them spoke to this topic - not just liberal, not just conservative - all of them. Here’s hoping everybody is wishing Senator Johnson a speedy and full recovery.
Hmmm…you single out Fox for your ire, and grudgingly admit the other networks did the same. So why reserve your indignant response for Fox? And why all the stereotypical FauxNews, Bushco and other typical lunatic leftist BS?
Hard to hide your true intentions when you’re so ill controlled in your emotions and thought that they come gushing out regardless isn’t it?
Comment by Severian @ 12/14/2006 - 6:46 pm
Dear sir, mainly because I don’t like Fox news and what it stands for. That is a consumer choice based on my past experience trying to find the ‘fair and balanced’ news they pretend to present. I noticed Fox news stating the case for removing the sitting senator due to his illness. I noticed Fox newspeople discussing ways the republicans would benefit by this removal. I noticed Fox news further discuss ways in which the ‘lefties’ were trying to use this situation to their advantage. Nobody seemed to discuss the Senators illness and the health implications. No backpedaling here. Just an observation of what topics were being discussed more than others. Did the ‘lefties’ give themselves any honor for their behavior - well many did not. That is a shame. Again, my point was simple - everybody (yes, even Fox news) should have backed off a little and given the medical people time to do what they do. Fox news is merely part of the problem. I think a big part, but again, that is my opinion. We are still allowed to have an opinion, aren’t we?
Comment by Tom @ 12/14/2006 - 6:59 pm
You’re allowed to have an opinion, but don’t expect to be able to piss on my head and tell me it’s raining. Your last post here Tom, is really quite well thought out to me, and you’re right, I would have liked to see more compassion and coverage of the man and his problem and less of the political implications. But I also note that the first news organizations I heard delving into the political realities of this were not Fox, NPR was the first I heard it on. And, considering the virulent political atmosphere we suffer from today, it’s to be expected that this is how it’s covered. It’s not preferable, but that’s the way it is.
See, Tom, you need to exercise some self control over the way you present yourself and your ideas. Your last post is rational and I find nothing to really disagree with it. But when you start your posts with things like FauxNews, BushCo, etc. you look like a raving partisan nutjob. I tend to think it’s your true personality coming thru, though I admit I may be wrong. In unguarded moments, the truth will often out itself.
Comment by Severian @ 12/14/2006 - 7:18 pm
It would be the same incorrect analogy to say that Republicans are conservatives.
If I said that by ‘progressive’ you mean ‘Democrat’, your analogy would hold water. But I didn’t, so you’re wrong. ‘Progressive’ is the what liberals call themselves when trying to hide their agenda. And yes, I do think I can speak to your political ideology. Severian’s already dissected your commentary and its implications superbly; I’d invite you to re-read those comments.
For the record, I am not liberal. I’ve been in the military and have had the opportunity to see our enemies face to face. Have you?
Total non sequitur. One has nothing to do with the other. Are you trying to say veterans can’t be liberals? That’s nonsense. Exhibit A: Jean-Francois Kerry.
Oh, and if you want to try the ‘chickenhawk’ meme on a more appropriate thread here sometime, please do. I can think of at least a dozen regulars here, including myself, who would love to demolish that inane line of non-thinking. But for the record, the answer to your question is yes, I have.
My comment was merely saying that all media (yours, mine, theirs) seemed to move away from the health issues Mr Johnson has into the area of power struggles. It would have been best if we backed off a day or two to ascertain his condition.
I agree completely with the last part. And if that’s all you’d said, there’d be no further commentary here. But most of your post wasn’t ‘merely’ a hope for media restraint. It was a rant laced with far-left drivel that looks like a cut-and-paste job from Kos. As Severian said, if that’s how you present yourself, we have every right to consider you a ‘raving partisan nutjob’.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/14/2006 - 8:02 pm
Hey, Tom: I don’t know you, but I’d have to guess that using the phrases “FauxNews,” “marketing arm of the Republican party” and “Bushhco person” in your 1st two sentences would lead most people to think you’re not a fan of FoxNews, and might not be a big fan of Bush, either. Wouldn’t you admit that kind of narrows things down a bit?
Comment by geezer @ 12/14/2006 - 8:25 pm
Severian & Great White Rat - As to the initial energy and ranting on my first post, your critism is valid and I apologize for starting from a ‘too partisan’ position. Fair is fair and you both are correct. As to the chickenhawk comment by Rat, sir, nothing of the sort from me. I did what I did (serve) for my reasons and I would never disparage anybody for following their heart (to either serve or not). I guess I was trying to indicate to you that I am not a ‘liberal’ in the sense that I am opposed to “everything” the Bush administration is doing. No sir, no chickenhawk snark from me. And also, I do see a difference between ‘liberals’ and ‘progressives’. maybe it is just my way of rationalizing my choices, but I see a difference. So anyway, I am glad we can fnd common ground. And I am glad you found some of my comments not ‘raving partisan nutjob’. I would not like a reputation as that. Cheers.
Comment by Tom @ 12/14/2006 - 8:28 pm
Geezer is wise.
Yes sir, you are correct (sort of).
Comment by Tom @ 12/14/2006 - 8:32 pm
Kos obviously doesn’t read the comments on his own blog, because his readers were doing far, far worse yesterday when this story broke.
There were a few initial “hope he gets better” replies, and then the usual “understanding” we get from the left showed up….in spades. lol
Comment by Brian @ 12/14/2006 - 9:05 pm
Tom, thanks for your last remarks. I’m glad we can end this in agreement, then, as ST began it - with fervent wishes for a complete recovery by Senator Johnson.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/15/2006 - 12:01 am
Best wishes and prayers to Sen. Johnson and his family.
And shame on the media for playing and playing and playing and playing and playing the clip of his interview.
‘Nuff said!
Comment by Poet @ 12/15/2006 - 10:23 am
Tom,
CNN is the owned and operated mouthpiece of Ted Turner, one of the craziest of the Leftist Liberal Lunatics. Of course seeing as he is a Democrat and a LLL of impeccable pedigree that makes CNN totally unibased and impartial in your BDS addled mind. Teddyboi also owns a huge chunk of AOL Time/Warner and we all know just how “unbiased” Time magazine is.
Now, little boy, let me explain some simple facts of life to you.
As one who had their mother go through the same thing Sen. Johnson is going through I will guess that Sen. Johnson will be retiring from the senate. That is unfortunate because I know Sen. Johnson and he is a good person.
If Sen Johnson retires the Governor of South Dakota has the right to appoint anyone he damn well pleases to that position. Too bad for you for despite your and your little LLL playmates desires to rewrite the rules(a very typical LLL trait when the pouting toddlers don’t get their way)if the Governor decides to appoint a Republican to replace Sen. Johnson there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it.
Comment by Nahanni @ 12/15/2006 - 10:32 am
Best wishes and a speedy recovery indeed to Senator Johnson.
No doubt the mediots now have a list of the physical and mental conditions of all 100 senators and will stake out those whose condition is perhaps not up to the mark. Perhaps the cable news networks can prepare it in the form of a box score. You know:
Senator/Age/Known/Preexisting Conditions/Last Checkup
And so forth
Oh and by the way . . . in U.S. history, “progressive” is a term usually followed by “era,” as in “The Progressive Era reforms of Theodore Roosevelt.”
How it became a substitute word for those who do not wish to call themselves liberals I cannot tell you. The suggestion here is that conservatives counter by deciding to call themselves, say, Cavaliers.
Comment by Leslie @ 12/15/2006 - 10:53 am
“Best wishes and a speedy recovery indeed to Senator Johnson.
No doubt the mediots now have a list of the physical and mental conditions of all 100 senators and will stake out those whose condition is perhaps not up to the mark. Perhaps the cable news networks can prepare it in the form of a box score. You know:
Senator/Age/Known/Preexisting Conditions/Last Checkup
And so forth”
LOL!
Comment by Sister Toldjah @ 12/15/2006 - 11:00 am
Nahanni - Good morning! Reading your post (little boy) gives me a good idea of what I sounded like when I firmly placed my foot in my mouth. If I sounded shrill (as you do), I really need to take a look at how I communicate. Sir, your opinion on CNN, Ted Turner, the easter bunny, water on mars, nu metal, etc…are just that - opinions. Ted Turner is definately the ‘mouth from the south’ - no question. The single last place I would get my news is from the likes of those broadcasters. They do us no good, but it is hard to question his success, no? With the ‘entertainment’ value of the newscasts taking precedent over the ‘news’ value, we all lose. As yo noted, the Governor can replace Mr Johnson with anybody he chooses. No problem for me. Thats the rule. Whether or not that satifies the voters concerns, I don’t know. They voted for a ‘D’, not an ‘R’. Is it somewhat disrespectful of their choices made at the polls - I don’t know. What do you folks think? Cheers.
Comment by Tom @ 12/15/2006 - 11:22 am
Tom asks:
Whether or not that satifies the voters concerns, I don’t know. They voted for a ‘D’, not an ‘R’. Is it somewhat disrespectful of their choices made at the polls - I don’t know. What do you folks think?
On that, two points:
First, they also voted for the ‘R’ governor, knowing full well that one of his powers would be appointing an interim senator should such a contigency arise. It would be the duty of Governor Rounds to appoint whoever he thinks is the best person for the job. I have no idea where the governor stands politically, but if he’s a conservative Republican, then he’s going to think another conservative Republican is the best person.
Second, there remain some serious questions whether the people of SD actually did vote for the ‘D’ in the 2002 election. As I recall, that election was decided on the basis of some late Chicago-style vote manipulation on the Indian reservations.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/15/2006 - 11:51 am
Also, there are more than a few cases of Senate seats changing parties from gubernatorial appointments.
When Paul Coverdell (R-GA) died (ironically, of a stroke, I believe), the governor appointed a Democrat to replace him. Actually, in that case, the governor probably did pick the best man for the seat - Zell Miller.
When John Heinz (R-PA) died in a plane crash (and coincidentally providing John Kerry with another sugar-mommy opportunity), the governor appointed a Democrat there. The voters later reversed that decision. As they will in SD if they don’t like the replacement choice.
But aren’t we’re still getting ahead of ourselves? The focus right now still should be on prayers and best wishes for Senator Johnson.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/15/2006 - 12:04 pm
Great White Rat is correct. I was replying to a comment by Nahanni. It is far too early to know what his medical condition might be. I was told last night on another blog that the rules in SD call for an election - and not an appointment. Parden my lack of knowledge about this, but does anyone know the true process in SD? Thanks.
Comment by Tom @ 12/15/2006 - 12:27 pm