Sen. Thune (R-SD) threatens to vote against Bolton

[quaoar]

Bush gave him the shaft on the base closing issue, so now Thune says he's looking for payback. We'll see if he really has the cojones to give Bush the high hard one.

http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D8AAG7IG1

Since Republican John Thune defeated the Senate's top Democrat last November, he has been one of the most loyal Republicans to President Bush. He has traveled around the country to fundraise and championed the party's priorities on countless news networks.

But now that the Pentagon has targeted South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base for closure, Thune is increasingly flirting with the opposition.

This week he threatened to vote against the nomination for John Bolton, Bush's embattled nominee to be United Nations ambassador. If he does vote against Bolton, he will be one of only a handful of Republicans to do so.

Thune also has declined to take a position on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, another Bush priority.

"Ellsworth will not go down without a fight," Thune said Wednesday. "I've made it clear that I am very disappointed with the Pentagon's decision."

[coloradodem2005]

1. Boy. Do it Johnny Boy. I double-dog dare ya.

[MADem]

2. Yeah, I know why he is pissed off!

He's afraid that the 'bait and switch' base won't end up being ELLSWORTH, after all. It could be PORTSMOUTH, to peel Collins and Snowe away from the Gang of 14!!!

Lie down with dogs, Thunie, get up with fleas.

[Clark2008]

3. He must have gone and talked to Voinovich

"I know the reasons Bolton was nominated to UN Ambassador, but will not say on the Senate floor. You can ask senior members of the Foreign Relations Committee or see me privately, and I will tell you..." sayeth Voinnie.

[Massacure]

8. Oh, its tempting me. Whats Voinovich saying about Bolton's nomination?

[rhino47]

4. I wouldnt hold my breath

Hes going to goose step right along with *

[quaoar]

6. Yeah

I don't think he has the balls.

But if he's going to make threats like that, he better be ready to act on them or he'll be marginalized in his own party.

[Chipper Chat]

5. There is not a plunger large enough

to pop Thune's head out of dubyayhoot's posterior.

[zulchzulu]

7. That would be VERY cool

I'm suspicious of Thune...but he could help remake the Repug moderates...and hopefully become a Democrat after they call him a sinner.

[Ilsa]

9. Well, that didn't take long.

Another senator has a vote for sale.

I think he should be more vocal and forceful about his demands as a junior senator. Someone, please, melt some butter. :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[quaoar]

10. Here's a NY Times version

< snip >

At home in South Dakota, he is feeling the heat from his constituents, who are furious over the Pentagon’s plans to close Ellsworth Air Force Base, the state’s second-largest employer. But in the Senate there are only so many options available to a freshman — even if that freshman is Thune, who became a Republican celebrity by unseating the Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, last November.

One of those options is sending messages to the White House that the base closure recommendations are more important than party loyalty, which is exactly what Thune is doing. “I’ve said all along that I’m going to play whatever cards I have to get the best possible outcome I can for my base,” Thune said Wednesday. In an interview with a South Dakota newspaper, The Rapid City Journal, he put it even more succinctly: “What goes around, comes around.”

Right now, Thune’s cards include hedging on a matter of utmost importance to Bush, the vote on the nomination of John R. Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations as early as Thursday in the Senate. He has also failed to take a position on Central American Free Trade Agreement pending before Congress, and on Wednesday, also implied that he might waiver on Bush’s judicial candidates, although he did vote to confirm Judge Priscilla R. Owen to the appellate bench.

“I’m undecided on Bolton,” he said, “and I guess that’s where I would leave it.” His reasons? “My reasons are my reasons.”

[wisteria]

11. I don't care why he would vote against Bolton, I just hope he does.

Most Republicans, never seem to vote against this administration unless there is something in it for them. They are just self-serving,smug and randomly uncaring.

[FrenchieCat]

12. I wish....

But they'll probably slap him back in line before tomorrow.

[Doctor_J]

13. (yawn)

KKKarl told him to pretend to be a Maverick for a day. They'll all be in line for the vote. These people don't fool anyone except the hardcore Libeciles.

[unkachuck]

14. hey South Dakota....

....I guess old Senator Tom doesn't look quite so bad after all....and now your new bush-boy Thune, barely six months old, is going to bite the mighty hand of bush....

....people of South Dakota, you really don't want anything from Washington, do you?....

[cindyw]

15. Some time ago I wrote about this. I said that the base closings in the

Repub areas were simply designed to give Repubs a chance to "save" the bases and save their seats. It's a chance for them to look like heros. Thune is looking for a way to save his base. He will get an agreement to save the base and in return he will vote for Bolton. It is as simple as that.