A story today in the Aberdeen American News about the possibility of closing Ellsworth Air Force base. A theme of the story is whether John Thune has the clout to protect the state's base, although it does mention how Time Johnson's Appropriations Committee spot helps as well. The Ellsworth question challenges the clout of the entire South Dakota delegation but clearly the focus will be on Thune who beat "Mr. Clout" Tom Daschle. Protecting Ellsworth would be a major victory for Thune, while its loss would be a major disappointment to him and the state. The story reports:
What's Thune doing?: Thune, who was lobbied by Republicans at the highest level to challenge Daschle, said he talked to Vice President Dick Cheney about saving Ellsworth before he was even sworn in earlier this year. He also sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
''I am in a position to weigh in in a significant way for the state,'' Thune said.
Al Cornella, Daschle's commission appointee during the last round of closures in 1995, said Thune is doing his part.
''I know for a fact having been in Washington that Thune is working extremely hard to do everything he can for Ellsworth,'' Cornella said.
One thing I find interesting in the story is that "quality of life" is a factor in base closings, and the worry is that South Dakota's cold weather will make it harder to keep the base. A show of hands of those South Dakotans who would hate to live the Black Hills /Rapid City area. I think Senator Thune needs to take that commission on a fact finding tour sometime in June, and they will see quality of life in the Hills. And just show them the rise in property values and the commission will see that the Hills are where people want to live.
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