Since then, I’ve been utterly disappointed in Senator Thune. He’s proven to be another status quo Republican who votes the “right way” on most legislation that comes before him, but is WAY too cozy with the RINO establishment and is far more concerned about bringing home the bacon than standing on principle or sticking his neck out to shrink the ever-growing federal monstrosity. I can think of no major accomplishments he’s achieved after six years in office.
I’m disappointed that many other freepers still seem lovestruck with Thune and want to reward him with a slot on a Presidential ticket. It seems to me there’s a pretty clear reason why the mainstream media keeps trying to sell conservatives on this guy, and it ain’t good. A lot of it has to do with the fact he looks good on TV and is a smooth talker, shades of the reasons Mitt Romney was hyped (no, I don’t think Thune is a Romney-type RINO, though he shares the virtue of being overhyped and underachieving ever since he won against an entrenched Democrat)
Thune’s apologists here would have us believe he DESERVES a promotion simply because he votes the “right way” 90% of the time, and therefore we should overlook the fact he was wrong on a couple of issues of MAJOR importance (::cough:: John Bolton; bailouts; gang of 10 ::cough!), and ignore the fact he’s a big spender who endorses people in primaries that freepers hate, including McCain and Mark Kirk. Yet when other so-called “red state” Senators suckup to McCain and betray us on an important issue, freepers demand their heads on a platter regardless of the fact they’re solid the other 90% of the time.
I never thought I’d agree with John McCain more than John Thune when it comes to being “bipartisan” with the Obama crowd, but this thread is living proof that McCain is indeed more outraged with Democrat treason than Thune. And for those who say it’s just a cynical move because McCain is up for re-election this year in a GOP state, I will remind you that Senator Thune is as well (perhaps Thune can get away with being “bipartisan” more because South Dakota Republicans refuse to challenge Thune in the primary and continue to whitewash his record?)
No doubt Thune is still far preferable than a Marxist Democrat in that seat. But this latest outrage – playing footsie with Dems when they just erased 200+ years of American ideals to turn this nation into a European-style big-brother nanny state – is excusable. Thune is absolutely the wrong person to nominate on a Presidential ticket in 2012, and I will do everything possible to ensure he is NOT slated.
Thune has $6 million cash on hand and no Dem challenger. Thune is moving to the center to posture himself for either President or more likely Veep.