Tim Johnson, Democrat Senator from South Dakota, has been out of action for what, nigh on to 6 months, now? He had his bad stroke shortly after the Democrat victory in November and, despite continuing party assurances that he's fine and dandy and reviewing legislation, no one has seen him since. Whispers have recently surfaced, from the people caring for him, that he's in an unresponsive state.
SD has a Republican governor, whose job it is to replace Johnson if he can't fulfill his obligations; the Senate Democrats fear that their tenuous lead there could be broken if he chooses a Republican, which he probably would. So, given that likelihood, Johnson must be propped up and kept chugging along, no matter what condition he's in.
Now, I don't know what kind of "Weekend at Bernies" thing the Democrats might be pulling here, but I do know that there are increasing calls, especially on talk radio, for a live shot of Johnson, waving and holding that day's copy of the NY Times.
I personally think that's not a bad idea; if the Democrats are, indeed, propping up a very ill man just for the sake of their lead, they should be ashamed, because they've reached a sad new low for all politics. They are also being fraudulent, by gaming the system in such a manner.
I wish Johnson and his family well; I pray he really is fine, and recovering with flying colors; but if not, this sleazy, despicable---fraudulent---deception has to end. Now.