From the Argus Leader:
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson and his wife Barbara will be at a public event in Sioux Falls in the evening on Tuesday, Aug. 28, according to a release issued from his Washington office moments ago.
Johnson, who has been recovering from a December brain surgery, will personally thank the people of South Dakota for their support, the release said.
Johnson has yet to make any public statements or appearances since his surgery.
As I have said many times, I have met Senator Johnson and I think very highly of him. I am encouraged by news of his progress. I believe that most or all folks in South Dakota, regardless of their party affiliation, feel the same. On the other hand, Senator Johnson is a public servant and the public has a right to inquire as to his fitness for duty. Senator Johnson's planned appearance is a reasonable response to these concerns.
But some of my esteemed blogosphere colleagues see Senator Johnson's condition as a partisan issue. Todd Epp has this:
Hey, GOP Wolf Packers! Sen. Tim Johnson is going to meet South Dakotans August 28th. Maybe you can get your pack ready to try and trip his walker then blame him for falling.
So far as I can tell, the "GOP Wolf Pack" is entirely a figment of Todd's imagination. He has yet to provide a single piece of evidence for its existence. And my colleague David Newquist has this:
Shortly after Sen. Johnson's "episode," the vultures gathered around his bed, cyberly speaking, and pronounced his demise and said he should resign from life and the U.S. Senate. Then at news of his recovery, they insisted that he put himself on display so they could see if he had any speech defects or spastic movements.
Vultures occupy space and leave droppings. Can Professor Newquist show us any evidence of the one or the other? My impression is that Republicans in South Dakota, and elsewhere, have been more than civil and compassionate throughout Senator Johnson's illness. But there is, after all, and election approaching. Does the Senator's illness forbid the Republicans from fielding an opposing campaign?
That, I think, is what my Democratic colleagues are hoping. But hiding behind a wounded man is no more noble than kicking him. Let Senator Johnson tell us when he can return to duty, and whether he intends to run again. That is enough for me.
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