Excerpts from the Aberdeen American News:
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has a "certain star quality," is respected by his peers and is willing to work with both Republicans and Democrats, according to Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss.
Lott, the new Senate Republican Whip, picked Thune to be his chief deputy in the new Congress, which started Thursday.
"And I just like the fact that he's young, and he's energetic and he's a hard worker," Lott said Thursday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
...
The first-term senator has been willing to take on big challenges for South Dakota, Lott said, adding that he was impressed with the way Thune dealt with the Pentagon's 2005 recommendation to close Ellsworth Air Force Base. Eventually, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission took Ellsworth off the list.
"He was going against the (Bush) administration. But it was the right thing for his state. He took 'em on and was part of the process that led to Ellsworth being saved," said the Mississippi senator, who has been through three BRAC rounds.
Asked whether - after some experience in the leadership job - Thune might be considered vice presidential material, Lott said, "He could be. Obviously it will depend partially on who our nominee is and what he or she is looking for in terms of experience or geography, something of that nature. If the nominee is (Arizona Sen.) John McCain, he might want to look in the greater Midwest."
Lott added that he hopes Thune doesn't get caught up with that just yet. "We need him too much in the Senate."
Here's the whole story.
Recent Comments