And as for the breathless speculation about what his death might mean for the Democrats' one-vote control of the Senate? Reporters seemed shocked that the only reply from the governor's office was to offer thoughts and prayers for the Johnson family.
Prayers and kindness for the man are all that should be discussed right now. I know this comes as a shock to pundits, reporters and politicos, but this is a man with people who love him.
Imagine if any of us, in any occupation, fell ill and within hours of hospitalization, reporters were writing entire articles about what would happen to our company if we died and were replaced by someone else.
I can see it now: An insurance salesman from Peoria has a heart attack. What if Charlie dies and the boss hires that twit from the Decatur office? A mail carrier in Boston falls on his head. If Bob dies, who will get his route?
Yes, even if a radio talk show host like me wound up in the hospital, it would be pretty unnerving for my family to hear. So if that big-mouth Gallagher kicks, wonder who's gonna get his show?
Come to think of it, maybe I'm not such a good idea for this exercise. Critics would probably love the thought of me with a tube down my throat.
Seriously, let's attempt a little class here. It would be gratifying to see people respect the Johnson family -- and the senator's constituents -- by holding off on the political punditry.
Some things shouldn't have to be about political partisanship. I'd say that a man fighting for his life is one of those things.