SD Senator's Re-Election Bid in Good Health

Colleagues amassed $2 million campaign chest in his absence

(NEWSER) - A brain hemorrhage won't stop South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson from seeking reelection, he said yesterday. He is still in therapy and gets around in a motorized wheelchair, but claims he is ready to run. "It is clear to my family, my doctors, and me that I am able to do the hard work required of a United States senator," he said. More»

Recovering after brain hemorrhage, Johnson to get back to work

(NEWSER) - Tim Johnson will be back in the Senate next week, and yesterday he returned to South Dakota to declare, "I am back!" What's more, in a series of interviews during his recovery from the brain hemorrhage that threw the control of the Senate into question, he told ABC's Bob Woodruff, "I expect to run and to win" in 2008. More»

Last primary is a toss-up

(NEWSER) - Unlike most of this year's primaries, South Dakota is a genuine toss-up. Different polls have both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama leading by double digits. Politico focuses on things to watch for:

• Split time zones: The western half of the state is an hour behind the eastern half; results won't be revealed until all polls close at 8pm CT.

• A late night: Ballots are transported to and counted at county auditor's offices, some more than 2 hours from polling places.

Man spotted directly below the carvings of four presidents

(AP) - Authorities have arrested a man for climbing Mount Rushmore National Memorial in western South Dakota. A Mount Rushmore rep says the climber was arrested about 2:15pm yesterday on federal charges that include trespassing and climbing the memorial. She did not identify the man, who has yet to appear in court. He was spotted on the loose rock directly below the carvings of four presidents, and park rangers escorted him safely down the mountain. The rep says the sculpture was never in any danger. More»

Campaign aims to do the opposite of McCain

(NEWSER) - Team Romney’s rule of thumb: Do the opposite of everything John McCain did in 2008, or so reports Politico in a look at the campaign's strategy. The approach applies broadly, say advisers—focus hugely on the economy, fully engage in fundraising, integrate early with the Republican National Committee—but comes most into play in the search for a VP. The campaign doesn’t want to end up with its own version of Sarah Palin, so it is going to great lengths to avoid anyone who could be seen as unprepared. The goal, according to one official: Go with an "incredibly boring white guy." More»