Pray for Democratic Senator Tim Johnson

He's had a stroke:

Senator Tim Johnson was taken to George Washington University Hospital this afternoon suffering from a possible stroke. As this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team. Further details will be forthcoming when more is known.

Senator Johnson isn't that old, and hopefully, for his sake and ours, he pulls through this scare okay. Not only is he a good leader and representative for South Dakota, but were he to die or become severely disabled, the Governor of South Dakota would appoint a Republican to take his place - which would mean the U.S. Senate would swing back to the GOP.

Senator Johnson doesn't want that to happen and neither do we. Our prayers are with him, his staff, and his family.

UPDATE: The office is now saying it wasn't a stroke:

By the end of the day, after what his office called "a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team" at George Washington University Hospital here, a spokeswoman for Mr. Johnson said he had not suffered a stroke or a heart attack.

That's good. Hopefully whatever is afflicting him isn't serious. It's good to see wishes for a full recovery arriving from all quarters. From the comment thread:

Though as a Republican, I'd rather the Senate stay in the hands of the Republicans, certainly not at this price. Our prayers do go out for you, Senator Johnson.

We'll post another update later when more details are known.

UPDATE II (and bumped): Johnson is apparently undergoing surgery:

CBS 2's Chief Correspondent Jay Levine got reaction from Sen. Dick Durbin, a good friend of Johnson's.

Johnson is 59 years old, and a picture of health and vitality, came into the Senate with Durbin, and the two have remained close.

"Had his physical just last week, blood pressure 120 over 70 and something happened today. [I] don't know if it was a stroke or not. There's conflicting information. [He's] undergoing surgery right now, its a touch-and-go situation and my prayers are with him. I hope he makes it," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, the Capitol physician, Dr. John Eisold, has issued a statement following that made by Johnson's office which indicates it was a stroke after all:

"Senator Tim Johnson was admitted to the George Washington University Hospital today with the symptoms of a stroke. He is currently under the care of physicians at the George Washington University Hospital."

Talk about conflicting information and conflicting statements. Well, in any case, it seems his condition is serious. He could definitely use our prayers.