Sen. John Thune could use more courage, less profile: TheNew Yorker magazine examines Thune’s integrity
A long article in the April 7 New Yorker magazine examined the Senate leadership of South Dakota’s John Thune.
Much of the piece was complimentary and any critical parts were pretty soft. Individuals from both parties were quoted expressing either admiration or, minimally, respect for him personally and as leader. Lots of SoDak home-state comments, too.
Thune’s dance around the lies, corruption, and outright absurdities flowing out of the Donald Trump presidency was the primary subject of the profile. He’s clearly not gone to the full excuse-making MAGA suck-up mode as personified by House Speaker Mike Johnson, but he hasn’t openly pushed back, either.
The writer, David Kirkpatrick, sees Thune as gently maneuvering to preserve the relevance of the senate as Trump bypasses lawmakers again and again. Petty and vindictive executive orders and overreaching actions by Elon Musk and others keep coming and Republican senators (with rare exceptions) are afraid to speak up in their own defense. Thune, the article claims, has to balance being an actual, functioning leader with the understanding that Trump could get him tossed from the job at any time.
However, keeping with the generally positive view of Thune, the conclusion is there will be a line somewhere that our South Dakota senator will not cross and he will act to save the country.
Should we have confidence that is true?
So far, the numerous absurd lies from Trump do not cross the line?
Gushing admiration and support of Russia does not cross the line?
The incredibly wrongheaded tariff calculations and flip-flops have not crossed the line?
Pardoning and praising Jan. 6 felons has not crossed the line?
Multiple corrupt personal money deals have not crossed the line?
Deporting U.S. citizens has not crossed the line?
Refusal to acknowledge the right of due process has not crossed the line?
Threatening a military takeover of Greenland has not crossed the line?
Destroying our friendship with Canada has not crossed the line?
Allowing Musk to cripple the Veterans Administration, the IRS, the Social Security, and other federal functions with staff firings has not crossed the line?
In fact, nothing has crossed the line to elicit clear public condemnation from Thune since he did actually (briefly) express disgust with Trump’s “grab them by the …” tape.
Everyone understands the precariousness for Republicans who consider speaking honestly. It’s a lot to expect integrity when it risks personal, financial, or professional loss. Liz Cheney will be a historical paragon of honor, but she’s out of a job.
So then, the question for Sen. Thune is this: Is there actually a line that you will not cross? If so, what would that be, given you’ve skipped past everything so far?
Your country needs you. Now.
Mike Levsen is a former mayor of Aberdeen and a regular contributor to The South Dakota Standard.
Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons
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