Democratic Control of Senate Hangs in the Balance

Democratic Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota is in intensive care today after undergoing surgery last night for a brain hemorrhage. A statement from his office says he is recovering without complication, but he remains in critical-but-stable condition and there's no long term prognosis. Hanging in the balance in not only Johnson's life, but the fragile incoming Democratic majority in the US Senate. If Johnson remains incapacitated or dies, his replacement would be named by Governor Mike Rounds who would likely nominate a fellow Republican.