Sen. Tim Johnson said Tuesday that he was praying for his Democratic colleague, Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, who has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Speaking to reporters during a telephone conference call, Johnson said the medical situation with Kennedy and his own experience with a life-threatening brain hemorrhage in December of 2006 were 'eerily alike."

Johnson said he hoped that Kennedy could fight back successfully just as he did.

"Don't count this man out before he has a chance to fight," Johnson said. "I pray the doctors will treat this effectively."

Johnson was absent from the Senate for almost nine months, along he worked at home during the later months, following his brain hemorrhage and emergency surgery to remove a cluster of malformed veins that ruptured. The trauma caused stroke-like symptoms and physical effects that have lingered. He continues therapy for speech problems and impaired use of his side while working a regular Senate schedule and preparing for his reelection campaign.

Johnson said politics and policy disagreements are being set aside as Kennedy's friends and associates offer payers and well wishes.

"No matter whether you sit on the left or the right side of the aisle, Ted Kennedy has spent a lifetime serving his state and his nation," Johnson said. "He is a friend."

Johnson said Kennedy offered support during his recovery.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Ted," Johnson said.

Asked about policy impacts, Johnson said that without Kennedy available to vote for a period of time during treatment, and with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama busy on the presidential campaign trail, some key votes could be more complicated for the Democratic majority.

But Johnson said he would leave that handling of that issue to Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com