By Denise Ross

The website Politics Daily agrees with my recent analysis that South Dakota’s own John Thune ought to be in the mix when the future of the nation’s Republican Party is discussed.

After observing that Thune is “very tan,” Politics Daily makes the more substantive point that Thune is a favorite among “rank-and-file” Republicans, who will be key when choosing the next few presidential nominees.

Also,

Thune becomes the #4 Republican in the Senate and is a lesser-known, but fast-rising spokesman for GOP in Washington. If you don’t know who he is now, take a moment to read up, because you’ll hear the name “John Thune” soon enough. 

Whether or not one might or might not be thrilled with Thune’s socially and fiscally conservative politics, he does seem to be a good fit for the GOP in its current state.

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By Denise Ross

Even as the likes of Mark Sanford and John Ensign crash and burn well in advance of the checkered flag of the 2012 GOP presidential primary, South Dakota’s own John Thune gets nary a mention by national pundits as a worthy party leader waiting in the wings. I can’t understand it, so I wrote about it in my weekly newspaper column.

Thune, it seems, has managed to stay just below the radar and above the fray as a voice audible inside the Beltway and back here in South Dakota but absent from the confused melee that’s consumed his party since the Democrats’ sweeping victory in 2008. 

Writing the column didn’t help me understand the thinking of the national punditry any better - they now seem to be looking to Haley Barbour, another blast from the past - but I feel a little better. 

To read the full column, click “CLICK HERE” below.

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By Denise Ross

It takes more than just a nice guy to helm a state in the midst of economic troubles. That was Sen. Dave Knudson’s clear message as he’s wading neck-deep into a 2010 primary against the sitting lieutenant governor, Dennis Daugaard, who happens to be a very nice guy.

Knudson, the Senate majority leader, contends that Daugaard lacks the leadership skills that the times call for, however.

Jobs are really the over-riding issue in the 2010 campaign. The whole reason we have revenue problems is because people are out of work. … It would be my first priority to go out and drive South Dakota’s economic development. … I think the times call for a strong leader.

The challenge that confronts state government calls for not just somebody who’s a nice guy but for somebody who can confront and solve problems.

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By Denise Ross

Due to my (infrequent) Facebook use, I now know that Brendan Johnson’s birthday was Wednesday, and Scott Heidepriem’s birthday is Thursday.

All I really wanna know is, who bakes the cake?

Pity they don’t have access in Sioux Falls to the fabulosity that is Rapid City’s Piece of Cake.

Happy birthday anyway, guys!

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By Denise Ross

GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Knudson is completing a few days of campaigning in the Black Hills, and he carved out a few minutes for Hoghouse Blog.

I’ll post the details and a photo on Thursday.

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By Denise Ross

Every time I hear or read about how the national GOP is leaderless, I wonder why South Dakota’s junior senator is absent from the conversation. I suspect it’s because he wants to be - for now.

Unlike so many whose names are on many lists of contenders, I can’t think of any deficits that would drag Thune down. And boy could the GOP use some of his sunny disposition.

Read my latest newspaper column on the issue by clicking “CLICK HERE” below.

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By Denise Ross

South Dakota’s own Tom Daschle has raised his profile lately, re-entering the healthcare debate as an advocate for reform. This after his well-known withdrawal as President Obama’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary amid controversy over unpaid income taxes.

Daschle’s promoting a bipartisan plan for healthcare reform that he’s cooked up with the likes of Bob Dole and other heavy hitters.

Here’s his Tuesday appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe:

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By Denise Ross

While South Dakota’s senior senator, Democrat Tim Johnson, prepares to meet with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, our junior senator is a lead voice for the GOP saying Judge Sotomayor isn’t providing his party with much juice when it comes to stirring up the rank-and-file or raising money.

John Thune tells Politico:

She doesn’t have the punch out there in terms of fundraising and recruiting, I think — at least so far.

…

When one of the conservatives leaves the court, then I think you’ll have a huge fight, and I think that will be very galvanizing.

Any predictions on which conservative might be leaving next - and when?

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Here’s the (very brief) release:

Washington, DC —U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement in regards to his meeting tomorrow with U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor:

Judge Sonia Sotomayor has a distinguished career that spans three decades, and has worked at almost every level of our judicial system. Judge Sotomayor would bring extensive federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court.  I look forward to this face-to-face meeting with her tomorrow to personally learn more about her than can be drawn from a questionnaire.  I will continue to follow the nomination process as it progresses through the hearing phase scheduled for next month.
 

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Here’s the release, from Thune’s campaign operation rather than his official Senate office:  

Sioux Falls — Senator John Thune has garnered 10,593 supporters as of this morning for an online petition supporting his Government Ownership Exit Plan bill that would require the federal government to get out of the business of owning private companies by July of 2010.

“This shows the kind of support this bill has,” said Senator Thune.  “Recent polling has shown that as many as 80% of Americans believe the federal government should not be running GM, Chrysler, AIG and other private companies.  This bill creates a clear exit strategy and prevents the government from interfering in the day-to-day management of these companies.”

Senator Thune’s bill has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Against Government Waste, the National Taxpayers Union, and Americans for Tax Reform.

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