Balance of power hanging in balance--who controls Senate? Who will be committee chairmen?---oh, and by the way, how's the Senator from South Dakota?

I absolutely flippin' do not believe what I've seen the past few days in press coverage of the emergency brain surgery and critical health condition of Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota.

Let's break this down......

---Wednesday midday, Senator Johnson falls ill.

---630pm, ABC and NBC lead their newscasts with the "possible stroke" suffered by Senator Johnson, but cannot resist going into a conversation with "Washington correspondents" about the sudden political implications with the balance of power so even in the Senate.

---635pmish.....CBS gets to the story, goes to Gloria Borger, who first says that, of course, the first priority now is to think of the Senator and his family, then launches into the 94 percent of her report....which concerns how his health possibly affects the balance of power in the Senate.

---7pm ET-----SENATOR JOHNSON GOES INTO SURGERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The poor man hadn't even entered the operating room and pundits around the nation were talking as if we'd better prepare for his temporary or permanent departure from the political landscape, and since the Governor of South Dakota appoints a successor, and he's a Republican......yadda, yadda, yadda.

My dad had major brain surgery in May, 1984 for an anuerysm, and let me tell you, you know NOTHING but approximate percentages of risks going in, and NOTHING definite as to short and long term damage until days, weeks, MONTHS later.

But meanwhile, Dick Cheney is back practicing pounding a gavel with a smile and Sen. Harry Reid, privately, is.....well, one has to wonder what the political part of him is thinking. I wouldn't want to be him right now. He's genuinely concerned about his fellow Senator, he visits the hospital daily, the press I'm sure hounds him as he leaves, etc....etc.....

So.....before we determine the Senate seating arrangement, anoint 2008 Presidential nominees, elect one.....etc.....

how about we pray for the good Senator's recovery? Step by step, day by day.....

....I guarantee you he'll show much more progress during a difficult time of recovery and therapy than any legislation will NO MATTER WHO IS IN CHARGE of the Senate.

Thank you, and good night.