FLASHPOINT for Dec 15, 2006

Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 | 7:28 a.m.

The fine, often-nonexistent line between politics and humanity has been highlighted since South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson suffered a brain seizure. Democrats and Republicans rushed to put out releases with virtually identical language - their "thoughts and prayers" are with Johnson and his family. Yes, some in the Gang of 535 are sincere, feeling human beings. But that doesn't mean they also aren't thinking and praying about the possibility of a partisan power switch if Johnson is incapacitated or dies. The prospect of a Republican governor appointing a GOP replacement and giving the majority back to the Republicans, thus depriving Harry Reid of his majority leader status, surely has occurred to all those thinking and praying.

archive