Thune Delivers on Campaign Vow

Washington Post ^ | August 27, 2005 | Mike Allen

[billorites]

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) sat tense, crouched and glowering as the base-closing commission delivered its verdict about Ellsworth Air Force Base in the ballroom of a Crystal City hotel yesterday, then leapt up gleefully when the bomber base's death sentence was commuted.

The 44-year-old's political career may have been spared as well.

Last fall, Thune unseated Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) in part by claiming that a Republican tight with the White House would have a better chance of saving the perennially impaired Ellsworth, a Cold War arsenal in the middle of the prairie. So it was potentially calamitous for Thune back home in May when the Pentagon put Ellsworth on the list of closure recommendations for the independent Base Realignment and Closure commission.

Thune, a former House member whose status as the Daschle slayer has made him a popular speaker before GOP groups, had long told the White House that losing Ellsworth -- South Dakota's largest employer after the state government -- was the one issue that could make him a one-term senator.

"There's something about my Scandinavian heritage that knows that life shouldn't be easy -- life's got to be hard," a relieved Thune said by telephone shortly after the commission's 8 to 1 vote to discard the Pentagon recommendation to close Ellsworth and move the base's B-1B bombers to Texas.

Thune, who has traveled the country raising money for Republicans, said he has done almost nothing but focus on Ellsworth since the May announcement. He personally lobbied Vice President Cheney, White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. He dined one-on-one with BRAC commissioners and showed up at hearings where he was not able to speak, just so he could stare them down.

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[billorites]

It's certainly been a nail-biter of a BRAC cycle.

Captain's Quarters has a very good analysis of the Thune angle too.

[billorites]

Great picture of Thune being congratulated by Gov. Richardson.

[DB]

Gee, I guess Novak didn't get it quite right...

[Gay State Conservative]

Given that the physical location of a particular military asset (within the contiguous 48,at least)isn't of utmost importance in protecting the nation,I say close the bases in states that consistently vote for Maoist democRATS.

In light of the blind hatred that voters in some states show for our Armed Forces,states like MA,VT,RI,WI,NY,WA and at least a few others should be completely devoid of military bases,IMHO.

[Cicero]

It's good news, although it would have done more good for Thune if Bush had kept the base off the list in the first place.

Novak was wrong, thank heavens, but he did a fair job of painting what the stakes were.

[citizencon]

Congrats to Thune. Hard work and determination paid off.

[USNBandit]

At least Ellsworth is in a location that is still appropriate to have a military air field.....The middle of nowhere.

Encroachment is the biggest threat to military air fields and air space.
Oceana, Langley, Miramar, North Island, Tyndall, Nellis, and Luke are all under pressure from suburban development.

[fluffy]

In light of the blind hatred that voters in some states show for our Armed Forces,states like MA,VT,RI,WI,NY,WA and at least a few others should be completely devoid of military bases,IMHO.I could be wrong, but I doubt the Navy would appreciate having only Alaska as a Pacific base of operations.

[Roccus]

There is no free lunch. I'm sure this chit will be called in on some future vote.

[DeeOhGee]

It's good news, although it would have done more good for Thune if Bush had kept the base off the list in the first place.

President Bush had nothing to do with it. The BRAC commission was indenpendent of the President. If my understanding of the process is correct, once congress has voted on all of the recommendations, the entire list - as revised by Congress - is sent to the Presdident for his signature, and he can either accept or refuse the entire list, but he cannot "cherry pick" bases in states favorable or unfavorable to him.

[Gay State Conservative]

I could be wrong, but I doubt the Navy would appreciate having only Alaska as a Pacific base of operations.

Check my post.I understand that exceptions should be made for various reason.Hawaii and California being two of them.

[manwiththehands]

Good news for Thune. He deserved this ... he beat Daschle, for cryin' out loud!

[OldFriend]

Are you suggesting that the Commission was swayed by Thune's spiteful vote against Bolton?

Or his other temper tantrums?

[Brilliant]

A pretty significant achievement for a freshman Senator of a state that has little more than dirt and rocks.

[slapshot]

Nope just reminded that support cuts both ways.

Win/ Win for everyone

Also-
Moving the F-16s From Springfield IL to my former unit (122nd) in Fort Wayne jammed it up Turbin Durbins tailpipe (and broke it off). This idiot is from Springfield, IL and it is now shut down.

Payback is a beoootcch, beeeootcccchh....

[slapshot]

Nope just reminded that support cuts both ways.

Win/ Win for everyone

Also-
Moving the F-16s From Springfield IL to my former unit (122nd) in Fort Wayne jammed it up Turbin Durbins tailpipe (and broke it off). This idiot is from Springfield, IL and it is now shut down.

Payback is a beoootcch, beeeootcccchh....

[slapshot]

Nope just reminded that support cuts both ways.

Win/ Win for everyone

Also-
Moving the F-16s From Springfield IL to my former unit (122nd) in Fort Wayne jammed it up Turbin Durbins tailpipe (and broke it off). This idiot is from Springfield, IL and it is now shut down.

Payback is a beoootcch, beeeootcccchh....

[slapshot]

Sorry Mr. Moderator:

Sticky refresh key and slow connection.

Please dont wake up the kittys

[Joe Boucher]

I don't think so. I think it was important for his constituants to see him work hard and successfully for them.
Now if he'll just support his president unlike his predecessor, little tommy the fry guy at McDonalds.

[marmar]

Congrats...Ellsworth