On Thursday’s edition of The View, the ladies, along with guest co-host Dari Alexander of Fox News, discussed Democratic Senator Tim Johnson’s emergency brain surgery and the potential political fallout. Alexander explained to the audience that if Johnson had to resign from the Senate, the Republican governor of South Dakota would pick an interim senator to fulfill the remainder of Johnson’s term, thereby creating the potential for an even split in the Senate between Democrats and Republicans. Joy Behar chimed in and put forth another tin foil hat worthy conspiracy theory:
Joy Behar: "Is there such a thing as a man-made stroke? In other words, did someone do this to him?" Video Clip: Real Player (2MB) or Windows Media (2.45MB) Plus MP3 (383KB)
Alexander joked that perhaps he had been given polonium, referencing the recent death of the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who accused the Kremlin of poisoning him:
Dari Alexander: "Maybe they gave him polonium."
O’Donnell [laughing]: "Oh no, no."
Elisabeth Hasselbeck laughed off Behar’s ludicrous question, referring to her suggestion as a conspiracy theory, but Behar refused to back down:
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: "Let me ask you something. Why is everything coming from the liberal perspective a conspiracy? This is a conspiracy."
Behar: "I know what this–that party is capable of."
The full transcript of the exchange follows below:
Rosie O’Donnell: "His name is Senator Tim Johnson. He’s a Democrat, and sadly he, he was ill, and he’s had brain surgery. They think he may have had a stroke."
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: "Yes."
Alexander: "And the thing that is quite interesting about this, I think, is that it started this whole political brouhaha because, as you know, the Democrats took over in November by a 51-49 majority, and now if he has to resign, it will make things 50-50, because the governor of that state, who is a Republican, is in, in, he’s in charge of basically putting an interim person in there for, for Senate, and–"
Joy Behar: "Is there such a thing as a man-made stroke? In other words, did someone do this to him?"
Alexander: "Maybe they gave him polonium."
O’Donnell [laughing]: "Oh no, no."
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: "Let me ask you something. Why is everything coming from the liberal perspective a conspiracy? This is a conspiracy."
Behar: "I know what this–that party is capable of."
Hasselbeck: "Help us."
Alexander: "So, in any case, it started this whole political brouhaha, and you know, I think the thing that's really sad about this is that it takes a political angle when this guy is really critically ill."
Behar: "Yeah, we’re very sad that he’s critically ill, but there are millions and millions of people who depend upon this Congress. People in the world and people in this country. So it’s really–his, his illness is, is sad, but it's not as important in the overall scheme."
Alexander: "Well, that’s definitely true, but–"
Hasselbeck: "I guess it depends on what scheme you’re thinking of."
Behar: "Well, I'm thinking of, I’m thinking of human beings lives. That’s what I’m thinking of."
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Note Behar's second to last s
December 14, 2006 - 17:33 ET by Nathan R MINote Behar's second to last statement, then note why I will never classify myself as a liberal. Since when is a persons life less important than who controls the senate? This man's life is hanging on by a thread and his party is more concerned about their own agenda. How pathetic is that! It seems that the only people that can put aside political views when something like this happens is a conservative. Well, just goes to show who's the better person now.
Nathan...Sadly, I expect this
December 14, 2006 - 17:37 ET by Clear thinkerNathan...
Sadly, I expect this from Democrats so I'm not surprised in the least. I'm betting Sen Reid will keep up with the "he looks really good" long after the poor guy dies.
I guess before today I gave t
December 14, 2006 - 17:42 ET by Nathan R MII guess before today I gave them too much credit. Before I thought they had some kind of conscience but I've found the error in my ways and have corrected them.
My father had a similar opera
December 14, 2006 - 17:46 ET by HokieconMy father had a similar operation after a stroke. He had a nine inch, horseshoe shaped scar on the one side of head. Once you open up the skull and mess around in the brain case, the recovery time is on the order of months to years. The age of the patient also plays into recovery time as well. I predict that the Senator will have to resign and an interim appointee will be needed.
Still, I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. My dad never did.
--Hokiecon
My grandpa had a stroke about
December 14, 2006 - 17:53 ET by Nathan R MIMy grandpa had a stroke about two years back. I don't think it was the same as the Senators or your fathers because he didn't have to have surgery. Nonetheless he was back up in a little over a year. Those first few months through I'm guessing it was hell from what I heard from my mother. Now he has slight problems with his left side still.
There are probably many forms
December 14, 2006 - 18:14 ET by HokieconThere are probably many forms of stroke. My dad's was due to an inoperable tumor.
One thing we all need to take into perspective is that the Senator will still be able to do business as many have done in the past, while ill. There were several Senators who were too ill or infirm to do much of anything, but they never lost their seats. I don't believe that even Strom Thurmond was as active as a Senator should be.
Makes me wonder how they vote if they can't make it to chambers.
--Hokiecon
I think I've read somewhere t
December 14, 2006 - 18:19 ET by Nathan R MII think I've read somewhere that if they aren't there to vote then they just aren't counted. I wouldn't quote me on it but I think thats the way it goes.
"...we’re very sad tha
December 14, 2006 - 18:51 ET by mattm"...we’re very sad that he’s critically ill, but there are millions...of people who depend upon this Congress..."
This is the key problem. No one should have to "depend" on Congress. We are supposed to be free, independent and self-reliant. Congress' job is merely to protect that freedom, not provide our bread and butter.
That quote reveals the mindset that turns people into sheeple and leads all of us down the road to serfdom.
Typical liberal dem rant. I
December 14, 2006 - 19:26 ET by RunningBeerTypical liberal dem rant. If things don't favor them the begin accussing the right of fowl play. May we should tell them it was a stroke invented by Diebold just to even out the Senate?
airgap
December 14, 2006 - 19:26 ET by Jerry MackJoy Behar is living proof that a brain is not a requirement to be on a television show. The term "Air Gap" might be over rating her. Imagine the IQ of the viewers?
recently, while stuck in a ho
December 14, 2006 - 19:38 ET by jwm45recently, while stuck in a hospital waiting room with the TV tuned to The View, I seriously thought about admitting myself into the ER... the show is that bad
How is Foley today?JDWKerry
December 14, 2006 - 19:47 ET by JDWHow is Foley today?
JDW
Kerry: "You know, education, if you make the most of it ... you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."
Timeline
December 14, 2006 - 20:40 ET by nkviking75I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that by the time the View is fed live to the East and Central Time Zones, it was already known that Sen. Johnson's problems stemmed from a problem that existed from birth. That makes an inane comment an ignorant one as well.
My step-dad had a brain incid
December 14, 2006 - 21:03 ET by msh1973My step-dad had a brain incident four years ago and is currently in a nursing home. He has not fully recovered the use of his speech or the right side of his body. I feel badly for Johnson and his family. Recovery is a slow and a difficult process.
Terry Shiavo? Remember her?
December 14, 2006 - 21:15 ET by m36b1Terry Shiavo? Remember her? So.... do you suppose all of the liberal "let 'em die with dignity - we know there's no brain left" crowd will be as quick to pull the plug on a Democrat senator if he happens to end up in the same condition?? You can bet if Senator Johnson don't recover his normal brain function that they'll have him plugged into every feeding tube imagineable, with Senator Reid personally guarding the plug-in. Can you imagine if the tables were turned right now - and the Republicans were in control by 1 seat with a Democrat in the White House, and a Republican senator had a stroke? Let your mind wander - what would C-BS and CNN and the rest be spouting.... Heck, blabbing death threats against the President is "all in good jest" to them....
It was completely
December 14, 2006 - 21:22 ET by Conrad5It was completely irresponsible for Behar to traffic in such
nonsense. This is the stuff of left-wing
blogs…not mainstream network television.
Unfortunately, some of the yentas who watch this show think she’s
delivering news, not deranged
commentary. With unabashed conspiracy
nuts like this around, it’s no wonder that such a disturbing number of citizens
think that president Bush orchestrated the September 11th attacks.
The stroke is President Bush'
December 14, 2006 - 23:23 ET by EdhenryThe stroke is President Bush's fault, isn't it?
This incident brings up the
December 15, 2006 - 08:36 ET by sarcasmoThis incident brings up the question: "How severe must brain damage be to disqualify one as a politician." Considering the various brain-dead actions of the allegedly-non-impaired politicians of both "major" parties over the years, my answer would be "pretty-damn-severe." As for Ms. Shiavo, I agreed with this guy...
JMR
Or the alternative question
December 15, 2006 - 14:18 ET by leentOr the alternative question: How severely brain-dead must one be to be a "political commentator" on a network entertainment program?
U.S. Navy (ret.)I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and
to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God,
indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Weekend at Bernie's?The more
December 15, 2006 - 14:25 ET by Clear thinkerWeekend at Bernie's?
The more I think about how Reid and other Dems will handle the Johnson illness, the more I am reminded of the movie "Weekend at Bernie's".
Reid:Castro,Arafat,Senator Johnson in stable condition
December 15, 2006 - 00:00 ET by pearlReid Press Release:Castro,Arafat,Senator Johnson in stable condition.
"Hussein’s scientists were on the verge of building an atom bomb, as little as a year away" New York Times 11/06
what fact's who needs them
December 15, 2006 - 00:36 ET by foolnomoreAs said before, they get up to the minute reporting before crawling out to the pulpit,to sputter their tripe, i do hope Mr. Johnson recovers ,they'll drag the man around the same way they do mr.kkk byrd to-do his job for the company..Miss Hasselback please WALK off this side show!!
4arrow As much as I like Joy
December 15, 2006 - 00:53 ET by 4arrow4arrow
As much as I like Joy B. I think the old girl is nuts.
I thought the show hit rock b
December 15, 2006 - 01:31 ET by Airforce_5_OI thought the show hit rock bottom when Rosie "The Rivet Strapped" O’Donnell took over but I was wrong. Joy, please for the love of all that is common sense, shut up!
The new world order is in power. God help us all. Airforce_5_O, 2330, November 7, 2006Behar is another LIB Tv broad
December 15, 2006 - 01:39 ET by ww thumperBehar is another LIB Tv broad that sets of her brains!!... .....Political correctness when dealing with Islam will kill america....ww .....
Why do we even give this crap
December 15, 2006 - 04:13 ET by Full MonteWhy do we even give this crap any kind of legitimacy by putting it on the blog? I'm sorry, but anyone who considers a conversation between a bunch of dumb broads (sorry ladies, that's what they are and most women should be offended by what they say every day) "media" has probably never even read a newspaper. Besides, if anyone poisoned the guy, it was probably the liberals because Senator Johnson is a relatively conservative Democrat!
There's nothing serious about
December 15, 2006 - 07:16 ET by Andrew H.There's nothing serious about the silly "View." To even suggest something was done to Johnson is absurd and silly. I don't know why we waste our time on this show. I don't as far as watching the thing.
Never relent.
I agree. I've never watched t
December 15, 2006 - 08:14 ET by Indiana JoeI agree. I've never watched the show, but have been forced to catch bits and pieces. This seems to me most like what used to be referred to as a "hen party," except they think they're qualified to discuss "politics."
They are WRONG....
My gosh Behar, don't think of lives for abortion reasons.
December 15, 2006 - 08:41 ET by acaiguanaMy gosh Behar, don't think of lives for abortion reasons.
Behar: "Well, I'm thinking of, I’m thinking of human beings lives. That’s what I’m thinking of."
And you abuse the word, 'thinking'.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Ya can't win if ya don't play."
I think that her being on the
December 15, 2006 - 11:20 ET by Quidnunc SavantI think that her being on the show is a Rovian plot to undermine the liberal point of view.
Yea that's the ticket, let them show how dumb they really are. Dark Lord Karl is a genious.
"Go f*#& yourself , I say what I want." Oriana Fallaci
I wonder if the reason she &q
December 15, 2006 - 11:47 ET by amberI wonder if the reason she "knows" what the Republican party is capable of is because she is capable of it. Obviously she thought it up, it was brewing in her tiny little brain, so, if you ask me, she is just projecting her own fantasies.
The View
December 15, 2006 - 14:37 ET by iveseenitallRosie, Joy, and guests like Danny----Come on----The View is a circus freak show! Real women should be protesting this abomination.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Badge Man did it
December 15, 2006 - 14:39 ET by Carl KolchakI feel pretty confident that "Badge Man" is somehow behind all of this.
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane" Waylon Jennings
Smoking Man
December 15, 2006 - 14:41 ET by dagdaMy money is on Smoking Man.
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
I'm anxiously awaiting the new Zapruder Film
December 15, 2006 - 14:45 ET by Carl KolchakI sure hope Zapruder got some film footage of Johnson, so we can all learn the truth. I wonder if "The View" can call him and get the exclusive rights so they can show it on their cheesy show.
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane" Waylon Jennings
Flight 19 has something to do with all of this
December 15, 2006 - 14:51 ET by Carl KolchakI think Johnson was somehow invovled with Flight 19, and x number of years later something weird is going on. "The View" needs to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Those cheesheads on "The View" wish they had competent people like Weekly World News does, but they don't, so they probably won't have a clue on how to handle something this serious.
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane" Waylon Jennings
hey us real cheeseheads may t
December 15, 2006 - 15:23 ET by Quidnunc Savanthey us real cheeseheads may take offense to the comparison
--
"Go f*#& yourself , I say what I want." Oriana Fallaci
I don't want to offend the cranberry makers
December 15, 2006 - 15:33 ET by Carl KolchakRest assured I don't want to offend the fine people from Wisonsin who make cranberry juice, as I enjoy drinking my cranberry juice on a regular basis.
The cheeseheads are the people who think they know about conspiracy theories, but don't have the first clue. That's why I only read fine publications like Weekly World News, who never has a false story. The staff of "The View" wish they could be as good reporters as those at the staff of Weekly World News, but they can't. Now I have to go searching for the "magic" bullet.
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane" Waylon Jennings
Carl --Amazing discovery
December 16, 2006 - 17:47 ET by misterbillCarl --Amazing discovery--until now I did not know that Wisconsin produced cranberry juice!!!!! Guess another major cranberry producing state??? Massachusetts. You may have hit on something. I suggest we suspend ingesting anything made from cranberries until a medical study is done!!!!!
PS Now you have me wondering about the Liberal state--Minnesota???
That Behar is a genius at wor
December 16, 2006 - 17:32 ET by bigtimerThat Behar is a genius at work I tell ya!
Geeeesh! I see by my post a couple of minutes ago I didn't go on down further to the older blogs when I was wondering if anyone had heard about these ridiculous conspiracy theory's that the loony left were putting out on the Washington Journal first thing the morning after Johnson was hospitalized...well, now I see it was everywhere!....Bush and gang did it!
LMAO!
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland