Democratic Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota has recovered from the brain hemorrhage he suffered in December 2006. At the time, his illness was an inopportune misfortune, as the Democratic majority in the Senate survived by a single vote, his vote.

Johnson is now back running his office and campaign. However, he is not able to function completely unhindered. Johnson has some speech difficulty. He has decided that although he has full mental capacity, his speech limits his campaigning. Johnson informed his Republican challenger Joel Dykstra that he would not engage in any debates.

Johnson is aware that he cannot win a debate because of his continuing speech impediment. Dykstra realizes that too. Dykstra is pushing Johnson’s unwillingness to debate as a keystone in his campaign.

“I think campaigning is part of the job, and debating is part of campaigning,” Dykstra said.

On the other side, Johnson said voters know his record and understand his slow recovery of his verbal skills.

The question is can a Senator function at full ability despite verbal limitations. Is the United States Senate, the most unhindered debating legislative body in the world, a place for a candidate who cannot engage in campaign debate? Perhaps that is too much show. If Johnson can run an office, serve his constituents and cast votes on the Senate floor, may be that is enough.