Chris Cillizza Nominates John Thune

Coming hard on the heels of David Brook's column on John Thune is this piece by the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza:

For months -- if not years -- the Republican/conservative smart set has been looking for a fresh face on which to hang their hopes and dreams. South Dakota Sen. John Thune may be that person.

Well, he may be. With the next Presidential election three years away, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are the only big names on the board. Senator Thune has been quietly enlarging his role in the Republican Party, mostly on the basis of his defeat of former South Dakotan Tom Daschle. He is also showing up on a lot of cable TV shows, as Cillizza notes. Whether he intends to or can assemble a coalition for a national bid remains to be seen.

But wouldn't it be fun? If Thune runs for President it would prove that South Dakota is the little engine that could. It would also irritate some persons in the local blogosphere to the point of collapse. That alone would be worth a hefty campaign contribution.

I have had the pleasure of meeting both Tom Daschle and John Thune on several occasions. I liked both of them, and I thought that both deserved their status. John has certainly proved himself to be a very valuable asset to the Republican Party. I say watch this space.

Comments

[caheidelberger]

Actually, I agree: a South Dakota candidate for president would be nothing but good for the state. Heck, our first South Dakota presidency would be a hoot -- Air Force One flying in all the time, Secret Service guys buying more burgers at Dairy Queen... and Jon Lauck bringing White House staff to the Great Blog Hunt!

But Ken, why on earth would I collapse from the irritation? As a blogger, I'd be thrilled to see John Thune on the ticket or even in the White House: just think what he'd do for our blog traffic as folks everywhere would check in to hear our local scoop on the Prez from Sioux Falls? :-)

[KB]

Cory: I wasn't thinking of you. I would expect nothing but good humor and clever commentary from the Madville Times. I was thinking of David Newquist, who seethes and spits every time the types the word "Thune."

[JonH]

The only way a dark horse can be a dark horse is if the MSM gets behind the candidate.(period) The deepness of the shallowness of the Christian Right who feel that being a Christian replaces being smart, experienced, and with brains like Romney has (a secret to the lazy MSM sourced)is what Thune is up against with Palin and Huckabee. Neither of those two have any real brain power!! It is true that they can choose experienced and fairly bright people to do much of the brain work. But the Romney supporters know there man isn't just very smart--he's way beyond that. And he also knows how to use his brain power to get things done fast and very non-governmentally WELL DONE! So, the roots of all three types of supporters for the top three candidates are entrenched pretty strongly in their respective camps. Thune is making a mistake in not coming out showcasing himself early. Pawlenty is, and it's tough going arresting the supporters from the 3 top leaders camps. Thune comes from an even smaller state--if he doesn't have a strong personality and a lot of money to organize he's dead before he gets started. His first run will lay a foundation for a later run. Even still, little state, little money equals little attention.

[duggersd]

Perhaps if Senator Thune has presidential ambitions, it is a good idea to put his foot in in this election cycle. 1968 had George McGovern trying and winning the nomination in 1972. 1976 had Ronald Reagan trying and winning the nomination in 1980 and the Presidency. George Bush tried in 2000 and won the nomination in 2008 and the Presidency. President Obama never planned on winning but hoped to make a good enough showing so he could run in a later cycle. Perhaps there is something to getting your name out there once for people to see with the expectation you can have an easier time the next cycle.