Senate switch back to the GOP?

[Dinner]

So the question is how disabled does he have to be in order to get forced out?

[Darius871]

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe
This is the senate we're talking about brain function is optional.

QFT

[SlowwHand]

Run, if it's such a no-brainer.

[DanS]

Originally posted by Oerdin
So the question is how disabled does he have to be in order to get forced out?

For all intents and purposes, he could probably be a vegetable and still be in the Senate. How could they force him out? Ogie's quip is right on this in actual fact.

[SlowwHand]

Recall?

HOUSE BILL 06-1051 [Digest]

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Witwer, Berens, Gallegos, and Kerr J.; also SENATOR(S) Sandoval, and Evans.
AN ACT
Concerning elections to recall elected officials

http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/olls/sl2006a/sl_121.htm

[Ned]

Assume he becomes a vegetable, almost like President Wilson, could his wife vote for him as his guardian?

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by Ned
Assume he becomes a vegetable, almost like President Wilson, could his wife vote for him as his guardian?

Not unless appointed to office to fulfill his term - like Muriel Humphrey, Jean Carnahan, and a few others.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Recall?



http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_d...06a/sl_121.htm

States can set up procedures to recall elected state officials. Grey Davis, anyone? I don't think it's ever been tested for Federal officials, but there's no authority in the Constitution for it. Since the terms of office are explicitly defined, states don't have the power to modify the term of office of a federal officeholder, once regularly elected. States probably could design recall or similar measures for appointed interim officeholders, as the procedure for interim appointments is expressly granted to the states.

[Flubber]

I didn't read through all the thread-- If he has to step down would there be an election tom fill the vacancy or would it be an appointment?

In either case the Dems would want to hold on to their 50-49 edge and avoid the chance of the 50-50 situation

[Admiral]

Well, it seems that this discussion may be moot.

Admiral John Eisold, Attending Physician of the United States Capitol said, "Senator Tim Johnson has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Specifically, he has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required."

[MichaeltheGreat]

There's always an appointment, except in Oregon and Washington - the difference is whether there's a limitation on the party of the appointee, and whether there's a special election at some point, or if the appointment goes until the next general election.

Meanwhile, it's pretty much up to the senator himself whether he stays in office for his remaining term, unless he dies.

[Ramo]

I was wrong about there being a special election within three months of a vacancy. A close reading of the statute would indicate that it's only relevant for members of the House. The Rounds' appointee would have a two-year term, and the eleciton would be in '08 (also when Johnson's term is up).

[SlowwHand]

I know what's going to happen.
Al Haig will claim to be in charge.

[Petek]

Here's an interesting article about removing senators from office:

Senate is loath to remove disabled members

Summary: No senator who has been sworn in has ever been removed due to disability. One (Carter Glass) was absent for four years, but even nominally retained a committee chairmanship.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Petek
Summary: No senator who has been sworn in has ever been removed due to disability.

Just in case, though, the Dems are rushing through a bill to change Tim Johnson's name to "Terri Schiavo."