[Update]: New report from CBS Chicago quotes Sen. Dick Durbin:
CBS 2's Chief Correspondent Jay Levine got reaction from Sen. Dick Durbin, a good friend of Johnson's.
Johnson is 59 years old, and a picture of health and vitality, came into the Senate with Durbin, and the two have remained close.
"Had his physical just last week, blood pressure 120 over 70 and something happened today. [I] don't know if it was a stroke or not. There's conflicting information. [He's] undergoing surgery right now, its a touch-and-go situation and my prayers are with him. I hope he makes it," Durbin said.
"Touch and go" is the first confirmation I've read or heard yet this the Senator's condition is possibly critical.
Update [2006-12-13 23:56:29 by TocqueDeville]:This was reported during Anderson Cooper by Dana Bash. It lasted only a minute or two and was tucked between a commercial break and an Iraq story. I would have missed it without Tivo.
CNN is reporting that they have two Democratic sources who confirm that Senator Johnson is presently "in surgery at George Washington Universary Hospital."
Reports that Senator Johnson's condition is not serious obviously need to be revised.
They also report that the Capital physician said that he was "admitted" for "symptoms of a stroke." This is vague and only adds to the temptation to speculate.
I recognize the seeming insensitivity of considering at this stage the implications for the balance in the Senate. But we must also recognise what is at stake. Lives and the future of our country could be in the hands of a few doctors right now.
I'm not a religious person, but if you are, I suggest you pray for the Senator, his family, and for our country.
[Update]: South Dakota law regarding vacancies (send mojo to brjzn):
12-11-1. Special election to fill congressional vacancy--Time of election of representative. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a senator or representative in the United States Congress it shall be the duty of the Governor within ten days of the occurrence, to issue a proclamation setting the date of and calling for a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy. If either a primary or general election is to be held within six months, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress shall be held in conjunction with that election, otherwise the election shall be held not less than eighty nor more than ninety days after the vacancy occurs.