Posted on 02/09/2011 4:02:37 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper
SIOUX FALLS, SD - We will know whether South Dakota Senator John Thune will run for president by the end of the month. Thune says he is close to making a decision and will announce his plans in the next few weeks.
It may seem early to announce a run for president, but the first primaries are less than a year away. And, even though no other Republican has made an official announcement, Thune is prepared to announce his presidential aspirations within weeks.
"It's such a big decision unlike anything we've ever contemplated before," Thune said.
Thune and his wife Kimberley have been talking about a run for president for the past several months, and the Senator says he's close to an announcement.
"If I were serious about doing this you've got to get out at the starting gate because most of the other candidates are starting to make moves, and so sometime before the end of the month we'll probably let folks know what my intentions are," Thune said.
Thune says several fellow senators and South Dakotans have encouraged him to make a run at the White House, but he says it's now up to him, and his family, to make the final decision.
"At some point it just becomes a gut-level decision that you and your family make, and that's what we're coming up on," Thune said.
Thune says the decision won't be about power but it will be about serving the citizens of South Dakota and the United States.
"You have to ask the question, the fundamental question, do I have something to contribute? And, is there leadership I can provide for the nation? And, then you have to come back and say is it something I have a passion to do?" Thune said.
It not only takes passion but money to run for president. Thune has $7 million in campaign cash on hand since no one challenged his re-election this fall. But, Thune says it will take far more than that to run for the Republican nomination.
SENATOR JOHN THUNE
• Elected to U.S. House in 1996
• Served three terms
• Lost to Sen. Tim Johnson in 2002
• Won U.S. Senate seat in 2004, defeating Sen. Tom Daschle
• Serves on the:
- Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee
- Budget Committee
- Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee
- Finance Committee
• Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee since 2009
I like thune. I would vote for him and hope he runs.
He’s considered an underdog but I would be glad to vote for him. I’ve met him a couple times when he’s been through Rapid City he’s a patriot and a real class act. He’s one of the few who will listen to your concerns.
Thune = Voted for TARP. No thanks.
The money from TARP is paid back.
He has stood strong against Obamacare.
Thune is excellent.
He is a rino... NO SALE!
LLS
Thune’s my FIRST CHOICE. I hope he runs, he can win.
Nonsense. It goes to his very understanding and role of Gov’t. When the chips are down, he will turn to Gov’t, as will other TARPers.
Where does he stand on the issues?
We don’t need Mr. Ethanol as our small-government candidate.
...well, if he is another fascist tarper it doesn’t matter much.
He’s far better than mitt, huck, newt, etc , and can united most of the factions on the right. He is not gaffe prone, not polarizing, good looking, and has a very articulate presentation.
Just fo vote for obama and get it over with already. Face it, there is no. One at all to satisfy the 10 \ 10 crowd.
You clowns are going to give us obama for another term with this insistence on purity.
By the way, tell me your candidate for 2012.
Here’s a timely piece on the ethanol and farm-subsidy issue for Republicans: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/259294/republicans-are-weak-farm-subsidies-michael-tanner?page=1
I don’t have a candidate for 2012 yet.
Another professional bloviator Senator-wannabe-President.
He’s about as exciting as broccoli.
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Senators should be required to resign their senate seat before seeking any other elective position, national or state.
Too many of them use their seat and abrogate their responsibilities by running for some other office. See: Hutchinson-TX, McCain-AZ, Kerry-MA, Obama-IL, Clinton-NY, and the two-dozen others who have been absent from the Senate to campaign for other positions.
“Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee”
Anyone know what role he played on that awful farm bill that passed in 2008? My congressman, a republican, was voted out in 08 for voting for that and TARP. Much to the chagrin of the constituents in my district who thought they were voting for a moderate Dem, we got a Pelosi/Reid/Obama rubberstam instead.
I have been watching Thune ever since Fox did a story on him as a future GOP candidate way back in 2008? and I have always believed that he would be one of the candidates who could beat Obama hands down. He and Pence were my top two choices. I sure hope he runs!
If he’s a pro ethenol guy I’d be down on him. It is the biggest waste of money ever while taking 40% of our corn production.
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