There’s a part of me that thinks, if for some reason Johnson is unable to perform as the state’s senator, that South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, ought to avoid a move that would mean switching control of the Senate. I think the governor would be wise to find and name some respected nonpartisan type. Heck, find the most conservative Democrat you can, the South Dakotan Zell Miller. But I don’t think it will be good for control of the Senate to change because of a sudden tragedy. As bothersome as Jim Jeffords’ decision was in 2001, it was the lawmaker’s own choice, not a matter of dumb luck, or an undiagnosed health problem that suddenly turned deadly serious.

I know, I know, many folks out there are thinking, “if the situation were reversed, the Democrats would press for the advantage; after all, in Georgia, they named Democrat Zell Miller after Republican Paul Coverdell’s sudden death.” But I don’t think ‘what the other guys would do’ ought to be the touchstone in these circumstances. There are a lot of good ways to win back control of the Senate; capitalizing on a sudden tragedy isn’t one of them.

Just believe the honorable thing to do is for the governor to try and do what the people of the state said they wanted: A Dem in this case.

Now we find out that on the election in South Dakota hinged the political fate of the Democrats?

Crap…

Then explain Jeffries…

Because the people of the state elected a D.

The problem is, Senators used to be chosen by the state legislature. The constitution was amended to allow for the direct election of Senators.

Under the older system, it was perfectly logical to allow the Governor to choose a replacement since so much of who was in the Senate hinged upon who was in state control. That part of it however, has not been changed.

That’s news to me.
Posted by: Oliver Willis

Well then, who are these guys?

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Why would choosing a Democrat be “the high road”?
The people who voted for Johnson, didn’t vote for Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker of the House, or Charles Rangel for Ways and Means.

They voted for a Senator, and now the Governor has the right to select whoever he wants.

Why don’t you have by-elections over there? Surely that’s fairer than just letting the Governor pick who he likes?

If the worst happens, I hope the governor goes the high road and appoints a moderate (grit teeth) Democrat.

I agree.

I also note that PowerLine continues to wish the Senator the best of luck, despite predictions otherwise.

In any event, I can’t really blame the media here. I would be willing to bet that upon hearing the news, plenty of senators of both parties immediately considered what his death or inability to serve would mean politically. You don’t think Harry Reid thought about it?