The story pretty much speaks for itself but my heart does go out to his family.

The latest wrinkle in the recovery of Tim Johnson is his still-to-be-determined return to the Senate after a debilitating brain hemorrhage — and the complications of it for South Dakota Republicans who are considering challenging him.

Two Republicans, Joel Dykstra and Sam Kephart, have declared their intent to challenge him, but many consider GOP Gov. Mike Rounds the most formidable opponent. And even Johnson’s declared challengers carefully avoid any comments slighting the recovering senator.

In his absence this year, surrogates offer plenty of projections about when he will make his comeback. But their scenarios add to the uncertainty — even for Democrats who might eye the seat.

In a lengthy interview last week, Johnson’s wife, Barbara, told the Rapid City Journal that her husband remains committed to returning to the Senate, but she shied away from announcing whether the Democrat plans to run for reelection in 2008.

Barbara Johnson acknowledged in the interview that his recovery has been difficult and that his speech remains noticeably slow.

Johnson has been convalescing in the Washington area since falling ill last December, and he attends daily sessions at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Almost everyone interviewed about his health suggests it continues to improve, despite the persistent physical challenges.

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