Indiana Governor Hospitalized After Collapse In Chicago

[Cadfael]

CHICAGO -- Frank O'Bannon, the governor of Indiana, reportedly collapsed during an event at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital Monday morning.

http://www.nbc5.com/news/2463182/detail.html?treets=chi&tml=chi_break&ts=T&tmi=chi_break_7755_10130109082003

[prolesunited]

1. Wow!

I wonder if he had a heart attack. They said critical condition, so it sounds pretty serious.

[salin]

2. I have heard speculation about his health

more tied to his lower level of public appearances over the past year or so, than any particular insider information.

My best wishes for a healthy recovery are with the Governor, his family, and our state.

[PaDUer]

3. In serious condition...

according to MSNBC. The governor is Democrat.

[Bluzmann57]

4. Whether he is a Democrat

or a republican, I hope he comes out of this ok. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

[BiggJawn]

6. As a Hoosier...

My thoughts go with Frank and his family, just because he's human.

As a governor, he's been a miserable failure, and frankly, I wouldn't miss him. I hope he recovers enough to retire early and take care of himself.

[Ouabache]

7. BiggJawn trashes a Democrat possibly on his death bed

You know BigJawn you are always absolutley trashing Indiana Democrats.
Why is that ?

O'Bannon is no failure. Everything was fine with this state's finances until that fucker Bush stole the 2000 election.

Republican governors all over the country are 'failing' just as miserably to balance budgets because George Bush has Enroned the entire country.

BiggJawn I am getting sick as hell of you coming in under cover of ultra liberalism and trashing Indiana Democrats. I think you are a slick act, and I am calling you out.

Frank O'Bannon has lived his life in service to Indiana, may be on his death bed, and you come in here as a death-mongerer. You owe this board an apology. And the truth --- are you really a Republican ?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

8. Yep...every state is having billion dollar problems balancing the books...

...and no matter what anyone tries to do it's a losing proposition.

The tax cut repeal has to be done quickly enough to restore funding to the states, otherwise we're in very serious dire straits.

[salin]

12. He also tried - for two sessions

to force the State House (esp the republican senate) to deal with the impending property tax crisis. The State Supreme Court declared the current system unconstitutional and required the state to come up with a new system. The state house (esp the republican senate) took a head in the sand position refusing to talk about any taxes (increases or not) - even if/when it pushed the state closer and closer to fiscal meltdown.

[BiggJawn]

22. I don't owe you SHIT.

And with the exception of Evan "Turncoat" Bayh and Frank "Tax the Smokers" Obannon, name me ONE other "Hoosier Democrat" that I "trash".

and another gawd-damn thing...
WHEN have I EVER tried to pass myself off as an "ultra" Liberal? Huh?

You must have me mixed up with some other "BiggJawn"

BTW, I'm bustin' an alert cap on YOUR ass.
I'll match your "Call-out"
"Republican", indeed!

[kmla]

23. Hey! Are we gonna have to separate you two?

Just jokin'!

Maintain a little decorum here! I feel a little skirmish brewing here in which there will be no winners.

I hope cooler heads will prevail. Let's all just get along, please?!?!?!?

[BiggJawn]

24. I can agree to disagree

I looked at my original post repeatedly, and I fail to see where I implied "Ding-Dong, Frank is DEAD". In fact, I DID say that I hope he recovers and enjoys his retirement. This is his last term anyway, and if he steps down for his health, that's OK. Better that than to die in office. Kernan's no prize, either, but it ain't worth dieing for.

What's the deal here? We rip on ReTHUGlicans when they check-out or are knock-knock-knockin' at heaven's door, why should it be any different with unpopular Dems?

I don't like him. Never did. Deal With It. Put me on "Ignore" if you can't handle the fact that a Democrat can dislike other Democrats.

Or are we doing to each other what we're afraid Ashcroft will force on us concerning The Chimp? "Speak No Evil"?

Uh-Uh, I'm not playing along.

[BraveDave]

26. BiggJawn is right.

Not Bashing anyone here, but our state's surplus began to disappear long before Bush took office.

[Rich Hunt]

5. Geez

I hope he will make a complete recovery. That's scary. I live close to Indiana, so this is of interest to us as well.

[davsand]

9. Chicago radio WBBM reported a brain hemorhage

The Governor was found in his closet by his security people and rushed to the hospital.

The Lt. Gov is enroute back to Indy to meet with lawyers about a transfer of power. THAT bothers me a lot. Wouldn't you think he'd have hung out a while to see how it comes out instead of running off to call the attorneys?

Laura

[jos]

10. Lt. Gov.

Kernan is a Democrat who previously announced that he would be retiring when his term runs out next year.

[salin]

11. local news was reporting

about a half an hour ago that he was still in the ER - after two hours (they may have also said that he had not regained conscienceness). That indicates that he is still critical.

While it may seem tasteless, I think it is prudent for a transfer of power (even if it is temporary) to take place.

Keep in mind that the Lt. Governor was considered the front runner for next year's election (even with Daniels in the race), but spring he announced that he would not be seeking that office. From all reports he is an honorable man. I don't think this is a man acting to assert power. I think it is a pragmatic - and sad/scary move.

[Goldust]

13. It makes sense.

O'Bannon's condition is very critical, and from all reports he's incapable of carrying out his duties as of right now. It would be a good idea to consult with attorneys to straighten out issues such as swearing him in right now in response to O'Bannon's current condition (remember back when Quayle was President for about an hour when Bush was sedated to install his defibrallator?,) what to do if he is sworn in and O'Bannon recovers, who should do it, etc.

[davsand]

16. Sorry if that offended anyone...

I certainly didn't mean to add to whatever sadness or upset you Indiana folks might be feeling right now. I'm sure this feels really unsettling.

I do hope this is not an indicator of information that has not been released yet to the public.

My apologies.

Laura

[indypaul]

14. Our thoughts and prayers are

for his wife, Judy, and his wonderful family. Frank O'Bannon
has been an excellent public servant over many years
as a State Senator, Lt. Governor and Governor.

[ignatius]

15. What a sad day for Indiana. My thoughts and

best wishes to the family as well.

[anomaly]

17. Kernan

Best wishes to governor and his family. Kernan was a pretty good mayor in South Bend for many years and a down to earth guy. He was a Viet Nam prisoner of war who appointed a Viet Nam War conscientious objector as his replacement when he went down state.

[salin]

19. wow. I didn't know that

I have always heard very positive things about him, and have respected him. This insight makes him further tower above many hoosier politicians.

Do you think there is any chance, if he has to step in, that he might change his mind about the governors race in 2004?

[DemVet]

18. That's too bad...

....and I hope he makes a speedy full recovery. My prayers are with him and his family. :(

[IndianaGreen]

20. This is quite a shock to me, and I am sure to many other Hoosiers

We Hoosiers never make anything easy for ourselves, whether it is Daylight Savings Time (a perennial major controversy in Indiana), to who succeeds the Governor when he is incapacitated. The Lt. Governor does not automatically assume the office in cases such as this!

Lt. Governor Joe Kernan is a former Vietnam POW.

Here is some more info, from local and national news, as well as our State Constitution:

The governor's office is now researching state law about transfer of power to the lieutenant governor, should that be necessary.

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/2/072446-7022-092.html

The Indiana Constitution allows for a transfer of power from the governor to lieutenant governor if the governor is incapacitated. However, that requires a petition to be filed by the president pro tem of the Senate and the speaker of the House and a ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/963360.asp?0cv=CB10

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA

ARTICLE 5. Executive

Section 10. Vacancies

Section 10. (a) In case the Governor-elect fails to assume office, or in case of the death or resignation of the Governor or his removal from office, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor and hold office for the unexpired term of the person whom he succeeds. In case the Governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall discharge the powers and duties of the office as Acting Governor.

<snip>

(e) Whenever there is a vacancy in both the office of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the general assembly shall convene in joint session forty-eight hours after such occurrence and elect a Governor from and of the same political party as the immediately past Governor by a majority vote of each house.

http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/inconst/art-5.html#sec-10

[IndianaGreen]

21. Officials discuss possible transfer of power (The Indianapolis Star)

Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan, a former Vietnam POW, was the leading candidate for Governor next year (O'Bannon was term limited), when he announced that he wasn't running. This tragedy could change the political landscape in Indiana.

Mitch Daniels, Bush's former budget director, is unopposed for the GOP nomination for Governor. Bush was here last week to raise money and to boost Daniels's candidacy.

Officials discuss possible transfer of power
Star report
September 8, 2003

State officials gathered today to discuss the possible transfer of power from Gov. Frank O'Bannon, who was stricken early this morning in his Chicago hotel room, to the lieutenant governor.

Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan was with O'Bannon at a trade conference in Chicago and was returning to Indianapolis.

Sen. Robert Garton, the president pro tempore of the Indiana Senate, said he's already been on the phone to Jon Laramore, the governor's chief counsel, about the mechanics of a transfer of power.

If the governor is not able to fulfill his duties, and he is not able to say so, then the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House must file a written declaration with the Indiana Supreme Court.

“This is awful. I don't think this has happened in the history of the state,” said Garton, R-Columbus.

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/4/072450-3594-092.html

[ignatius]

25. I just heard that O'Bannon has died.`

So sad.

[BiggJawn]

29. No, not as of 4:51 Indianapolis time.

Out of surgery, still amongst the living.

[tjdee]

27. This is terrible!

Sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with the family. And the state too. What a shock. :-(

And Mitch friggin Daniels, ugh.

[Don_G]

28. The Latest Is That Surgery Is Over...He's OK For Now

He is under sedation after surgery on/in the right side of his brain.

From what I understand, they probably had to go deep and the blood may have put presure on his brain stem.

I hope he'll be okay!