(From David Kranz of the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader)
No doubt Sen. John Thune, R-S.D, had one of the best seats in the house during the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
That prime position created curiosity back home with some wondering out loud how a Democratic president can allow a Republican to be so close by.
Well, the Obama-Thune ties go back to somewhere after Election Day 2004. That day marked Thune’s victory over Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Obama’s election as a U.S. senator from Illinois.
Not long after, maybe a few hours or so, talk began that the two new senators might challenge each other in a game of basketball.
From that point on, the two men’s mutual interest in the sport has become the subject of light discussion.
Not long after Obama’s inauguration, Thune and Obama injected basketball again into their ongoing conversation about the sport.
Someone even joked about the possibility of placing a basketball court in the White House so that the two of them could play.
The conversation doesn’t seem to bother Thune. Especially now that he’s doing things to demonstrate his sure-fire bid for re-election such as hiring a campaign manager.
With the basketball conversation, Thune’s getting national visibility with the president of the United States without even trying.
For instance, did we mention Sports Illustrated?
In January, there was a long account written by Alexander Wolff about John Thune, Barack Obama and basketball.
Wolff writes: “After helping make him who he is, after helping him get elected, how might basketball influence the way Obama governs? People it will behoove him to get along with – both Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodr’guez Zapatero play regularly – could wind up as guests in presidential games. For Cabinet officials there will be face time with the president, and for those who play (prospective Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Attorney General-designate Eric Holder), there will be in-your-face time as well.”
And one of Thune’s high-ranking staffers offered this reference in a story by Jeff Dufour and Patrick Gavin that appeared in December in www.dcexaminer.com. The subject, of course: basketball.
“Just because everyone ooh’d and aah’d Barack Obama’s basketball prowess during the presidential campaign, doesn’t mean that you should necessarily believe the hype. He’s good, but he’s apparently not that good … at least when compared with some of his Senate colleagues.”
Then there’s the ever-popular “on-background” comment from a Republican U.S. senator published in that article.
“Look, Barack Obama’s good, but he’s definitely not the best basketball player in the Senate. Not by a long shot. John Thune is the best basketball player in the Senate. Bar none.”
While most things don’t really seem certain in life, in this case there is one thing that is.
Thune and Obama enjoy their appreciation for basketball. However, the president need not expect that much cooperation from Thune when the Senate roll calls are taken.
“They will be focusing on what needs to get done. There are more pressing matters,” says Andi Fouberg, deputy communications director for Thune.
Speaking of re-election
Much of the other conversation about Thune’s re-election bid revolves around who Democrats will pit to run against him.
Democrats most often suggest that it might be U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. She likely would provide worthy opposition for him, but there is no indication from Herseth Sandlin’s camp that she would like to do that.
If she vacates her House seat for another role, it’s a race for governor of South Dakota that’s most often mentioned.
Thune might draw a token candidate, but few would want to have the token label hung around his or her neck.
So far, no names have been offered as candidates willing to jump in.
Ken Blanchard, Northern State University political science professor, sees it this way.
“My impression is that it would be hard to find anyone credible to run against John Thune. He seems to be very popular, right now running on an ideal balance. He is in the national press, better thought of than most senators from small states and is still a down-home boy.”
As much of a challenge as it might seem, we don’t hear Democrats ready to throw in the towel, though.
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