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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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5

Thune Takes Ensign's GOP Leadership Post

Policy Committee slot is No. 4 in party's Senate hierarchy

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(AP) – 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.

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.
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)
South Dakota's John Thune was elected today to the Republican Senate leadership post vacated by Nevada's John Ensign.
South Dakota's John Thune was elected today to the Republican Senate leadership post vacated by Nevada's John Ensign.   (AP Photo)
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., talks with reporters on his way to a vote Monday.
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., talks with reporters on his way to a vote Monday.   (AP Photo)
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5 comments
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Newser001
Jun 25, 09 7:42 PM CDT
'We're in a bit of a hole'... Clearly an understatement. Reply
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+4
Snarfeh
Jun 25, 09 8:53 PM CDT
Nice tan, neat hair, blue tie to match his blue eyes (he does that often), an aw-shucks-corn-pone-meet-me-by-the-haystack look but still ruggedly good-lookin'...this guy's a hunk! I predick this one is the next Republican gay sex scandal. What an episode of "As The Hypocritical Republican World Turns" that will be! Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jun 26, 09 3:32 AM CDT
Yeah, what's the over-under on when this jackass turns out to be, to roughly quote Jon Stewart, yet another pol with a conservative mind but a liberal penis?
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+2
Adapt-Overcome
Jun 25, 09 10:33 PM CDT
King of Earmarks: John Thune used his skills and took a bill that was zeroed out President Bush's 2005-2006, but was saved and revised "behind closed doors" under Thunes leadership as part of the 2005 transportation appropriations bill that including funding to "the bridge to nowhere" for fellow Republican Sarah Palin. You know, the money she got, never used and never returned. Only goes to show the Republican party really have NO clue about what the hell they're doing, they only thing they know is how to say NO to the American people in need and YES to big business. Reply
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+1
kokuaguy
Jun 27, 09 8:41 PM CDT
Same tired old lyrics with a new .... Reply
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Senate Republicans • Republican Party • John Ensign • scandal • John Thune • extramarital affair • Lisa Murkowski • Senate Republican Policy Committee

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