Rapid City Journal endorses Thune

The Rapid City Journal unabashedly endorses John Thune today: "John Thune for Senate." Excerpt:

Those footsteps Sen. Tom Daschle is hearing are from his own record catching up with him....

Credit Thune for bringing Daschle's Washington record to the attention of South Dakota voters. It is Daschle's role as minority leader to block Republicans at every avenue - legislation, spending plans and appointments. How can anyone vote for both President Bush and Sen. Daschle when their priorities are in stark opposition?

Daschle claims he can do more for South Dakota as minority leader and points to all the federal spending he brings home. But home-state projects are funded for all senators, including first-timers. We wouldn't be $7.4 trillion in debt if only party leaders could bring home the pork.

Finally, we don't believe that Sen. Daschle can use his minority leader position to fix the nonpartisan base closure commission. Ellsworth Air Force Base will remain open or will close based on national defense needs and regardless of who is senator.

Daschle puts his own party ahead of what's best for South Dakota and the nation. That's not what we expect from a senator.