Fox News Speculates How Officials Could ‘Declare’ Sen. Johnson ‘Incapacitated’

[El Fuego]

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/12/14/johnson-fox-news/

Fox News is speculating how the balance of power could shift in the Senate, even if Sen. Johnson survived. Fox’s Steve Doocy said that although “the issue of incapacitation is not spelled out in the state law,” there “would be a precedent of the federal level.”

Another Fox anchor added, “We’ll have to see what happens in terms of what exactly his condition is and who’s going to weigh in on whether it’s an incapacitation or whether that’s just clear from the facts.”

Transcript:

KILMEADE: Steve, remember we were down this road before? If something happens that Johnson can’t continue, 50-50 with Dick Cheney breaking the tie.

DOOCY: That’s right, and you know, in the state of South Dakota, I understand there is the issue of incapacitation. It’s not spelled out in the state law, at the state level. However, the secretary of state of South Dakota says there would be a precedent at the federal level. Is that how you understand it as well Megan?

FOX ANCHOR: Yeah, indeed, there’s a big laundry list that they would have to go through in order to determine that he is incapacitated. It’s something that, ironically enough, might be weighed in on by his advisers. In other words, Sen. Harry Reid, the incoming majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, may advise him on whether he should declare his incapacity, if in fact he’s in a position where he can declare it or not. And so, we’ll have to see what happens in terms of, you know, what exactly his condition is and who’s going to weigh in on whether it should be declared an incapacitation or whether that’s just clear from the facts.

(snip)

What dumbasses!!! :rofl: Trying to toss the Constitution in the trash just like their president.

He can stay in office as long as he's breathing. There are several precedents of nearly "incapacitated" senators serving out their terms.

[yellowcanine]

1. It is "clear from the facts" that Bush is "incapicitated" yet I don't hear Fox talking about that.

Have the Fox pontificators listened to Bush talk lately?

[Bitwit1234]

2. Didn't hear this conversation

when Spector had surgery for brain cancer, did you...or did you hear anything about Strom Thurman when he couldn't even eat and had to be fed. Or how about Reagan when he had Alzheimer's..

[rodeodance]

3. since when will the state-SD even consider letting the Feds decide. hog

shit!

[NanceGreggs]

4. And what would constitute being "incapacitated" ...

... to the point of removal from office?

An inability to reason, and think rationally?

An inability to communicate with others in a sound fashion?

An inability to accurately assess a situation, and act accordingly?

An inability to behave in a mature and appropriate manner?

Bush has exhibited all of those warning signs for years ... sounds like FOX is intent on making the impeachment argument for us.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

5. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

All of you who see this new bipartisan day. How the repubs wouldn't throw someone under the bus to further their own agenda. How they've suddenly turned against their party, and are now open minded.

IF YOU DON'T THINK THEY'RE NOT ALREADY FIGURING OUT WAYS TO THROW JOHNSON INTO THE TRASH, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION THESE LAST 2 DECADES!!

They are Praying. PRAYING!!!! That he is incapacitated, and unable to serve out his term. They may not be wishing for his death, although that wouldn't necessarily torment them either, but they are certainly PRAYING he is somehow mentally inbalanced, and that they managed to maintain control of the Senate for another 2 years.

[burythehatchet]

6. ah yes, Killme and Douchy, part of the Fox and Fiends team

[Brazenly Liberal]

7. Bullshit. Here's the real precedent:

In 1969, Republican South Dakota Senator Karl Mundt suffered a stroke. He was unable to attend Senate sessions, unable to vote, unable to do any of the work of a Senator. He did not resign. He was stripped of his committee assignments, but remained a Senator for his full term, staying in office until 1973.

There's your precedent. Even if Johnson is severely incapacitated, he is not removed from office. He has to quit voluntarily. There is no state or federal law - or precedent - to forcibly remove him.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Was Senator Arlen Specter 'incapacitated during his cancer treatment?

[Cameron27]

9. Hell, Fox news has been incapacitated for years

by complete brain lock. The condition's getting worse, better pull the plug.

[valerief]

10. I'd expect no less from the F-Word Network. nt

[niyad]

11. uhh, guys? read the F****** constitution, would you, please? the only way there would be a vacancy

is if johnson dies or resigns. PERIOD. how hard is that to understand?

oh, wait, never mind. I forgot for a minute that we were talking faux snooze here. how silly of me to expect that any of them might have actually read andcomprehended the pertinent documents.

[El Fuego]

12. Fox also invented the "minority speaker"

:eyes: