South Dakota Senator Suffers Possible Stroke

Sen. Tim Johnson (D., S.D.) was hospitalized Wednesday with strokelike symptoms, according to published reports.

Johnson, 59, became ill this morning when speaking to an Associated Press reporter, according to The Washington Post's Web site. He was taken to George Washington Hospital in the capital for evaluation.

Johnson's condition takes on added political significance in that if he is unable to serve, South Dakota's Republican governor would get to appoint a replacement. The Democrats took 51-49 seat control of the Senate in the November elections.

If South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds were to appoint a Republican replacement if Johnson were unable to serve, the balance of power would essentially shift. That's because Vice President Dick Cheney would cast tie-breaking votes if the Senate were deadlocked 50-50 on legislation.