Six weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., is responding well to therapy, but his return to work still looks like a distant prospect. Why it matters — Johnson’s continued absence from the Senate gives the Democrats only a 50-49 voting majority over the Repugs.
“Senator Johnson is showing evidence of more functional, spontaneous speech and is indicating preferences. He is answering questions and following commands appropriately,†said Dr. Philip Marion, medical director of the hospital’s Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, where Johnson is being treated as an inpatient.
Johnson was moved from the intensive care unit Jan. 11.
According to a statement released by his office Thursday, Johnson’s has been watching movies with his family when he is not working with physical and speech therapists. He has asked that his television be tuned to CNN, and his wife Barbara said he is aware that President Bush mentioned him in the State of the Union address.
“Tim is following the news closely and was honored that the President remembered him,†she said.
Well, if he’s “answering questions and following commands appropriately,” he’s already doing better than George W. Bush.
