WP: Democrats Fundraise For Sidelined Senator Johnson: Republicans "peeved"

[DeepModem Mom]

RECOVERING
Democrats Fundraise For Sidelined Senator
By Mary Ann Akers
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Friday, March 16, 2007; Page A19

Even as he convalesces after a severe brain hemorrhage in December, Democrats are holding campaign fundraisers for Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and his spokeswoman said his staff and other senators are working hard to make sure his agenda is fulfilled.

If Johnson is not back by fall, when spending bills are considered, his priorities still will be "pushed through" the Appropriations Committee, Julianne Fisher said, "for the state of South Dakota." As a committee member, Johnson sends millions of dollars to his state. "He's expressing his wishes on what he wants," Fisher said.

Johnson issued his first public statement this week, and Democrats held three fundraisers for his reelection. A luncheon on Monday was hosted by Sen. Max Baucus (Mont.), and a reception on Tuesday was hosted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.). Wednesday night, Reid hosted another fundraiser, where, according to sources who attended the private event, he assured the crowd that Johnson is doing "really well," that his speech is "almost back to normal" and that the senator's popularity in South Dakota is "higher than ever."

Publicly, Republicans are taking a deferential approach to Johnson's illness. "Tim Johnson's well-being continues to be our number one concern in the state of South Dakota," said Rebecca Fisher, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Behind the scenes, though, Johnson's GOP colleagues were peeved to learn of the Democrats' aggressive fundraising. "Democrats are taking advantage of the situation," one Senate Republican told washingtonpost.com.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501841.html

[Hekate]

1. Repubs have no business criticizing after keeping the ancient Strom around...

...long after his sell-by date had expired.

Here's to Senator Johnson's full recovery. :toast:

Hekate

[Ken Burch]

2. "Democrats are taking advantage of THE SITUATION"?

:wtf:
You mean, Republicans think...

-it's no fair that Tim DIDN'T DIE?

-it's no fair that Dems are raising funds for the still-living and still-perfectly functional Senior Senator from South Dakota?

-and it's no fair that said senator remains popular in his home state?

My God, how inhuman of us...how repressive...how manifestly unsportsmanlike...:sarcasm:

[annabanana]

3. That's pretty funny, actually..

Those guys crack me up.