Senator John Thune 2012: meet the Republican Obama (and your next President)

Thune in the background, but not form much longer: Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, accompanied by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., speaks
with reporters regarding health care reform. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

The draft John Thune for 2012 movement continues to grow.

Thune is an attractive candidate to mainstream Republicans who are already laying bare the various aspects of his appeal: his tall handsome good looks, his athleticism (he played basketball), his charm, his ability to connect with the party base without alienating independents and moderates, his intelligence and lack of cynicism, and his likeability compared to the baggage and divisiveness of the party’s ruling female rock star.

Sound familiar?

John Thune : Sarah Health Palin :: Barack Obama : Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Thune has electoral chops as well, having knocked off the incumbent Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in the 2004 elections. No small feat and a psychological blow to the Democratic Party which provedThune could play rough-and-tumble with the biggest of Washington heavyweights.

No doubt aware of Thune’s potential, some mainstream Democrats are already trying to stem the tide and head the Thunistas off at the pass. They note that he has no history of challenging the status quo. They note his lack of major legislative accomplishment, say his is a cipher hiding from controversy, and thus an opportunist with no history of creating real change. They say he is nothing more than a far right winger with a smiling face and a soothing voice as disguises. So what he's cool and plays baskeball? That's not a qualification for the Presidency! He’s untested! His support and his supporters are shallow! He's barely been in the Senate!

In other words, Thune’s critics are saying, he is the Republican answer to Barack Hussein Obama, is he not? Shallow empty suit with no major legislative accomplishments who shies away from strong stances on important and controversial issues, props up the status quo by not rocking the boat and voting present, speaks great, looks nice, does nothing.

Sound familiar? Sure it does. But none of that stopped Dr. Utopia from taking the oath of office in January 2009, did it?

You have to love the delicious irony of Obama voters registering this familiar brand of complaints against Senator Thune.

See John Thune wisely fly under the radar until 2012. See Thune run. See Thune defeat Palin in an epic primary. Unless Dr. Utopia steps aside and lets that Secretary of State woman take his space on the ballot (the only hope for the Dem Party), see See Thune become President.

See a little bit of history repeating.

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