August 07, 2006
A Blow To Republicans
Even Democrats think Sen. John Thune (R-SD) would have made a hell of an NRSC chair. But Thune, the favorite of many in the Republican party for that position, bowed out from consideration over the weekend.
He's a mega fundraiser, telegenic, popular with his colleagues and whip-smart.
But Thune's first brush with national politics -- the cold shoulder given to him by the BRAC commission -- soured his desire to move up too quickly. (Ellsworth Air Force Base was eventually saved and Thune eventually stopped being a thorn in the side of the Bush Admin).
We wonder if his decision has something to do with Thune's anti-Bush campaign comment: " I were running in [South Dakota]' this year, you obviously don't embrace the president and his agenda."
Maybe Thune took a good look at the numbers and realized that the '08 GOP cycle would be, in some ways, more of a defensive cycle for the GOP than even this one; particularly if the GOP narrowly holds the Senate this cycle.
The betting suggests that Thune, who allies think would be a great presidential candidate in future cycles and a potential vice presidential ticketmate in '08, doesn't want to spend the next two years raising money the hard way.
He's great at raising it the easy way -- the Daschle-killer is a top draw on the GOP fundraising circuit.
So if Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) survives his race, he may be a shoo in.
That is, if he wants the job. [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 12:40 PM
Comments
Is it possible Thune's decision is related to the blind item from the 7/29 Saturday Brunch: "Which conservative Midwesterner is all-but-openly running for vice president? His advisers have concluded that a moderate will win the GOP nomination and will need a conservative to rouse the base"?
If the Senator wanted a place on a national ticket, he'd be wise to avoid the time-consuming grunt work of the NRSC job.
Mr. Burns | 08.07.06 01:13 PM
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Unsuprising that speculation runs rampant he wouldn't want NRSC if he thought he'd lose.
We always knew he was a chicken.
Tom B | 08.07.06 01:15 PM
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Tom B:
I think Sen. Thune is far from being a "chicken". He took on the sitting Minority Leader and beat him. Not a lot of people would have taken up that challenge.
I think you should reconsider your comment.
Kevin | 08.07.06 08:27 PM
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Yeah, Thune pretty much opened a can of whup-ass on Daschle during their joint appearance on "Meet the Press" leading up to the '04 election.
Tim Russert | 08.08.06 03:30 AM
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if more Sen(s) would have taken Sen Thune approach on BRAC we would not have a "law" that is $500B over budget, yes $500B. Congress needs to relook this law and do it NOW.
WG | 08.08.06 06:56 AM
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