More on Ariel Sharon

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been admitted to the hospital yet again for a significant stroke.

Sharon, 77, is scheduled for an operation Thursday to repair a small hole in his heart. The hole was discovered during tests after Sharon suffered a minor stroke December 18.

Although Sharon had difficulty speaking during the stroke, neurological testing found that he recalled everything from the night of his admission, Lotem said.

Doctors said Monday that Sharon suffered no lasting brain damage. He was released from the hospital two days after the stroke and has resumed his work load.

The health scare has raised concerns about the leader's ability to work as he runs for a third term. The elections will be held at the end of March.

Many Israelis feel he is the Israeli official best able to carry forward peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

This year Sharon orchestrated Israel's historic pullout from Gaza in hopes of jump-starting the peace process.

The Associated Press has the latest update saying that the prime minister has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while having the latest surgery.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Wednesday and was receiving breathing assistance while under general anesthetic, a hospital official said. Power was transferred to his deputy.

Sharon, 77, suffered a "significant" stroke and was brought to Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital from his ranch in the Negev desert, an official said. Channel 2 TV said Sharon was suffering from paralysis in his lower body and was taken into the hospital on a stretcher.

Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the hospital's director general, said Sharon was under general anesthetic and was receiving breathing assistance while doctors assessed his condition.

A few minutes later, Mor-Yosef emerged to say that initial tests showed Sharon had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, or bleeding in his brain.

Addressing reporters in English, Mor-Yosef said Sharon had "massive bleeding and was being transferred to an operating theater."

Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon said Sharon's authority had been transferred to Vice Premier Ehud Olmert.

My thoughts and prayers are with the prime minister and his family.

A Rasmussen poll shows Claire McCaskill leading Jim Talent by 46 percent to 43 percent. Very impressive.