Rob's Politics Blog

I'm far from being a fan of Robert Novak, but I rather savor his latest column, which notes the waning of John Thune's star due to the decision to close Ellsworth Air Force Base. Novak casts the closures as the act of an indifferent White House, but the article inadvertently states as well that Thune's inexperience was a factor. :

When the year began, Thune's political future seemed unlimited. He was young (44), handsome, articulate, conservative. Now, he is becoming a ''Son of the Wild Jackass'' familiar to the Great Plains. Seeking separation from the White House, Thune came out against confirmation of John Bolton as United Nations ambassador and broke with Bush by opposing the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

North Dakota's Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, two of the most partisan Democrats in the Senate, were able to save Grand Forks Air Force Base even though it fell below Ellsworth in most measurements. Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald Fogleman's firm received $400,000 from the city of Grand Forks to argue its case. An Air Force old boy exercised more clout than a rising GOP politician."

So, if Conrad and Dorgan could prevail on the executive branch, why couldn't the new golden child of South Dakota? South Dakotans replaced a general with a lieutenant, and they'll be feeling the consequences for some time.