From: "Phil Payne" 

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/12/13/democratic-senator-hospitalized-f
or-possible-stroke/

"Mr. Johnson's health could have a bearing on the makeup of the
Senate, where the Democrats won a one-vote majority in the November
elections. If his health problems are serious enough to prevent him from
serving, the Republican governor of the state, Mike Rounds, would name a
replacement to his seat, theoretically raising the possibility of a 50-50
split."

HUH?

This is a "democracy"?  Doesn't sound like it to me.  If an MP
snuffs it, we have a "by-election" and the people get to decide
who replaces him.

You know, after the Florida business with Shrub and now this, I think the
Yanks ought to sort out their own "democracy" before trying to
foist it on others with bombs.

--
  Phil Payne
  http://www.isham-research.co.uk
  +44 7833 654 800

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5