Johnson campaign: A platform of pity
I’ll let you watch the video first, just to help you get in the right frame of mind to join my sympathy toward the Johnson family.
Honestly, you’ve got to realize that these were the best takes from the filming session. It’s not as if the camera caught the Senator at a bad moment. What you see are the most-usable clips!
Folks, this is a man who is being victimized by his own party. These people are so fearful of losing their seat that they are trying to resurrect a man from near-death to run. They should be ashamed of themselves. They’re running him merely on a platform of pity.
We, as a state, are kind and compassionate. But we deserve a US Senator who can adequately represent us, not one we voted in out of pity.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
This is a sickening attack. The fact that this man has been able to come back this far as quickly as he has is truly amazing. He clearly is getting stronger everyday and is continuing to fight for this state. This is a cheap shot at a truly courageous public servant.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
you should be ashamed of yourself. This man has done nothing but his job for South Dakota. It’s not that he has to he does it because of his love for the people he serves.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Joe: So aside from making you sick, where did I err?
George: How’s the weather in D.C.? Glad to see our humble little site is attracting nationwide attention. Feel free to visit us in person, too!
July 28th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
You guys have seriously lost it. When hes Sen. JOhnson ever asked for your pity. He is who he is. Instead of hiding from it he embraces it. He has worked tirelessly since his return to the Senate. You guys are low. Have some self-respect.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
South Dakota does deserve a Senator who can adequately represent us. That comes in the form of Tom Johnson, who had relentlessly worked for the good of South Dakota and its citizens.
Tim Johnson has made an astounding recovery from a medical condition, and that deserves recognition and admiration, not pity. Senator Johnson also deserves common decency, which this post doesn’t contain in the slightest. Rather, this post is extremely insulting, both to the Senator and his family. The implications stating that he is near death when he has made above average progress in speech and physical therapy are such a blatant lie that there are no words for them.
Please do not use the words “we” and “kind and compassionate” within the same sentence. That assumes that you, being from South Dakota, are indeed kind and compassionate. Rather, you’re insulting and ill-informed ( rather just refuse to acknowledge the truth) as the Senator hasn’t missed a vote since returning to the Senate. Johnson has also played a significant and vital role in ensuring the passage of the Farm Bill through by his work in the Senate, along with the $30 million in funding for the Lewis and Clark Pipeline.
South Dakota needs more representation like Senator Johnson. What South Dakota doesn’t need is a Senate race like the Republicans are attempting to create. I would rather vote on a platform of experience and representation, which is which this election should be based on, rather then one cheap shots and degrading remarks. Senator Tim Johnson offers South Dakota that experience and represenation. This post and this blog shows the other side clearly does not.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Correction-The second line should obviously read Tim Johnson. I apologize for the typo.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
We only have three voices in DC. If Mr. Johnson is “fine” lets hear him debate. If he can’t debate he is not able to fulfill his duties for the State of SD.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Southeast: Thank you for well-thought-out (albeit a tad wordy, given the issue at hand) response. Just a clarification, my implication was not that he IS near death, but rather WAS.
Don’t get me wrong folks, the Senator has made a nearly miraculous recovery. However, even with the strides he has made, he is in no position to debate, which is crucial to his job as a US Senator.
What is truly laughable is the lefty herd mentality. Instead of tackling the issue, you’re proving my point by calling me a jerk for bringing it up. Not one of you has even attempted to answer the charge, but rather trying to make him untouchable.
Dare I say it’s the same move as your party is doing with Obama. Anybody that dares bring up an issue must be a backwoods racist.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
The fact is Tim Johnson has done little for South Dakota before his stroke. And most of the people were voting for him on the ‘good dog’ philosophy. But this is a state that works to promote individual achievements. Tim Johnson has stedfastly weakened individuals by making them dependant on government programs. That may be charitable to you, but I don’t see charity as the governments job.
Voting is about all he can do. He is not an effective speaker. Why do you think doctors get so concerned about stroke? It will permanantly effect your life.
He’s doing great as a husband and a father, but he is weakened as an effective senator. And he was only luke warm to start.
We need representation, not a ‘good samaritan’ badge for a handicapped Senator.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Johnson’s recovery is fantastic and he’s to be commended for coming so far and working so hard.
But his condition is relevant to his ability to perform the job for which South Dakota elects him. Speech, and the ability to handle a heavy schedule, are among those job requirements.
Also, if he is unwilling or unable to debate his opponent at a public debate, that may undermine his contention that he is up to the task for which he is elected.
We don’t have to be nasty about this issue or Senator Johnson’s condition, but it is a fair and honest question we must consider.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Bob: You are right on! A major portion of the job in the Senate is to work with others from around the area to get things done for South Dakota. Communication is absolutely critical.
Asking for Mr. Johnson to debate is not too much.
Debate or Retire!
July 29th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
This is painful to watch. Please Mr. Johnson, go enjoy your time with your wife and Family.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I remember Jim Abdnor’s last campaign. Demo’s made a big deal about his slight speech impediment. I heard “How embarrassing!” or “how does this make us look to the rest of the country?” All campaign rhetoric, to be sure, by the same types that now attack any legitimate questioning of Johnson’s ability.
With all of his progress with care and rehabilitation, still the best in the world, he could have another episode at any time.
Let’s see, who was Jim’s opponent that last time???
July 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
ManWithNoName: Oooh, oooh… pick me, pick me! I know the answer!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
You’re point isn’t proven when we call you a jerk for bringing up his health, our point is proven that the GOP can’t do anything but campaign on insinuation and lies when you do so.
Also, I think all of you might be confused with watching the House of Commons instead of the U.S. Congress on CSPAN. Little is accomplished by the speeches made on the Senate floor. Getting hard work done requires that those in Washington respect your ability…Hm…trading in a well-known senior senator for a freshman in the minority party, great idea all around…Member of the Appropriation’s Committee…Johnson doesn’t really need to speak, his record does so itself…
July 30th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
OK, ewald, I’ll bite. You say “insinuation and lies” when we question the man’s ability to represent the state to the level it deserves?
I love how liberals, when faced with not having a sound bite for a topic, will try and cram another one in where it only halfway fits. It must hurt to not be able to generate original thought.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
ewald: Have you ever been in a committee hearing? You must be able to communicate. Have Tim show up in Mitchell at DakotaFest and we the voters can see and hear Tim in a forum. That should be the bare bones ablity to be in the Senate.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
ewald: Read what noname has to write! I forgot about the teasing the gave Abnor. But now don’t pick on Timmy his trying hard.
I want to see a debate.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:01 am
I was going to post a reply, but than I noticed that under topics, this website uses “Barack Hussein Obama”, but hey good job putting McCain’s middle name under there too, I see you’re really being fair and balanced…
But back to “insinuation and lies”…No, I see how this website is really all about the discussion of policies…I was wrong, right?!
July 31st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
ewald: Good Liberal! Bad Magician. You can’t misdirect. You made accusations then ‘discuss your policies’!
July 31st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Brett Favre and Tim Johnson should take the same medicine, RETIRE.