Nine months after a brain hemorrhage brought him close to death, Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) returned yesterday to the Senate floor, where he basked in the tributes and standing ovations of his colleagues.
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who attempted his own return yesterday, didn't fare quite so well.
Johnson's return was the feel-good story of the summer: Feuding political factions unite to celebrate earnest lawmaker's against-the-odds triumph over illness. "My speech is not 100 percent," the senator said with a still-slurred voice, "but my thoughts are clear, and my mind is sharp." Standing in front of the motorized wheelchair that carried him into the chamber, he brought tears to the eyes of Democrats, Republicans and even reporters in the gallery when he said: "Today, I come home to the United States Senate."
Craig's tale, by contrast, played out like a horror film: Villain's bloodied corpse improbably comes back to life, and weary protagonists must kill him -- again. Craig, only four days after announcing his resignation after his arrest in a sex sting in an airport men's room, called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to revise and extend his resignation remarks.
"I heard from Senator Craig this morning," McConnell announced in a tone that indicated he did not enjoy the conversation. While Craig now wants "to try to finish his term," McConnell added coolly: "I thought he made the correct decision -- the difficult but correct decision -- to resign."
It was an unusual double feature. The two story lines, intertwined through the day, brought out the best and worst of what more than one lawmaker described yesterday as the Senate "family."
Johnson, grinning broadly, wheeled into his office yesterday while his staffers applauded and his onetime rival, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), held open the door. There were baked treats for the senator inside and changes to the layout: an elevated desk, widened aisles and a modified bathroom to accommodate Johnson, who has trouble moving his right side. "I am anxious to get back to work," Johnson announced at the doorway, briefly turning his chair around to give photographers their shot.
In the office doorway, Johnson aide Julianne Fisher recalled the dark moments of December, when "we weren't sure if he'd be making it back here" and the media speculated about whether Johnson's death or incapacity would cost Democrats control of the Senate. "No offense," she said, but "that was very hard for the family." Yesterday, Fisher got her revenge: She ignored reporters' phone calls and barred all but a few from entering the office to talk with Johnson.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who attempted his own return yesterday, didn't fare quite so well.
Johnson's return was the feel-good story of the summer: Feuding political factions unite to celebrate earnest lawmaker's against-the-odds triumph over illness. "My speech is not 100 percent," the senator said with a still-slurred voice, "but my thoughts are clear, and my mind is sharp." Standing in front of the motorized wheelchair that carried him into the chamber, he brought tears to the eyes of Democrats, Republicans and even reporters in the gallery when he said: "Today, I come home to the United States Senate."
Craig's tale, by contrast, played out like a horror film: Villain's bloodied corpse improbably comes back to life, and weary protagonists must kill him -- again. Craig, only four days after announcing his resignation after his arrest in a sex sting in an airport men's room, called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to revise and extend his resignation remarks.
"I heard from Senator Craig this morning," McConnell announced in a tone that indicated he did not enjoy the conversation. While Craig now wants "to try to finish his term," McConnell added coolly: "I thought he made the correct decision -- the difficult but correct decision -- to resign."
It was an unusual double feature. The two story lines, intertwined through the day, brought out the best and worst of what more than one lawmaker described yesterday as the Senate "family."
Johnson, grinning broadly, wheeled into his office yesterday while his staffers applauded and his onetime rival, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), held open the door. There were baked treats for the senator inside and changes to the layout: an elevated desk, widened aisles and a modified bathroom to accommodate Johnson, who has trouble moving his right side. "I am anxious to get back to work," Johnson announced at the doorway, briefly turning his chair around to give photographers their shot.
In the office doorway, Johnson aide Julianne Fisher recalled the dark moments of December, when "we weren't sure if he'd be making it back here" and the media speculated about whether Johnson's death or incapacity would cost Democrats control of the Senate. "No offense," she said, but "that was very hard for the family." Yesterday, Fisher got her revenge: She ignored reporters' phone calls and barred all but a few from entering the office to talk with Johnson.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
LinksMarker is a Web 2.0 content management system
Comments