Thune Takes Ensign's GOP Leadership Post

Policy Committee slot is No. 4 in party's Senate hierarchy
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 25, 2009 3:45 PM CDT
Thune Takes Ensign's GOP Leadership Post
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell looks on as Sen. John Thune, new chairman of the Policy Committee, speaks today on Capitol Hill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is at right.   (AP Photo)

Republicans today elected Sen. John Thune to the leadership post vacated by Sen. John Ensign, who stepped down after admitting last week to an extramarital affair with a campaign aide. Thune will lead the Senate Republican Policy Committee, the No. 4 position in the leadership, and play a role in shaping the Republican message and agenda on health care, climate change, and spending.

"We're in a bit of a hole but we're going to dig our way out of it," said Thune, who had served as vice chairman of the conference, the No. 5 leadership job. Republicans elected Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski to that post. Thune captured attention in 2004 when he defeated then-Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
(More John Thune stories.)

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