2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Gov. Bobby Jindal, Senators Jim Talent & John Thune, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn In Mason City, Iowa On November 4, 2012

Gov. Bobby Jindal, Senators Jim Talent & John Thune, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn In Mason City, Iowa On November 4, 2012

Mason City Victory Office
1314 4th Street SW
Mason City, IA 50401

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by John Thune, U.S. Senator, South Dakota at the 2012 Republican National Convention

The Hon. John Thune, U.S. Senator, South Dakota
(Remarks as Prepared for Delivery)
August 29, 2012

Good evening, fellow Republicans.
 
It's no secret that I'm a sports fan. In fact, I get asked all the time if I've ever played basketball with President Obama. The answer is "no," I'm still waiting for that invitation.

The next question is, "Do you think you could take him one-on-one?" I say, "I really don't know, I've never seen him play."

But I can tell you this. President Obama would be easy to defend, because you know he's always going to go to his left.

Like many Americans, I've been blessed by the hard work and sacrifice of those who've come before.

Back in 1906, two Norwegian brothers named Nicolai and Matthew Gjelsvik came to this country in search of the American Dream. When they reached the shores of America, the only English words they knew were "apple pie" and "coffee," which evidently they had plenty of on the trip over.

The immigration officials at Ellis Island determined that their name "Gjelsvik" -
G-J-E-L-S-V-I-K - was too difficult to spell and pronounce, so they asked them to change it. The two brothers picked the name of the farm where they worked in Norway, which was called the Thune Farm. And so Nicolai Gjelsvik became Nick Thune, my grandfather.

With their new country and their new name, the two brothers began their new life by working on the railroad. They learned English and saved enough money to start a small hardware store.

And yes, Mr. President, they did build it!

My grandfather raised three sons. The middle son, my father, joined the Navy when World War II broke out.

He became a naval aviator, flying combat missions off the aircraft carrier Intrepid in the Pacific theatre. On one mission, he shot down four enemy aircraft, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, my dad quietly returned to South Dakota, his hardware store and his family.

Many versions of that story are told across this country. The details may be different - but the dream is the same.

I hate to say it, but that dream is in serious jeopardy. We have a sluggish economy, burdened by Obama administration policies that are weighing down our job creators. Middle-class Americans, in cities and on farms, are bearing the brunt.
 
The big-government bureaucrats of the Obama administration have set their sights on our way of life. Instead of preserving family farms and ranches, President Obama's policies are effectively regulating them out of business.

His administration even proposed banning farm kids from doing basic chores!

Since President Obama took office, we've had 42 consecutive months of unemployment above 8 percent - the longest streak on record.

The cost of family health insurance premiums has risen by nearly 19 percent, college tuition has increased by 25 percent and fuel costs have doubled.

The number of people on food stamps has increased by 45 percent, and the debt we're piling on the backs of our children and grandchildren has gone up by 50 percent. Yet for all President Obama's talk about the middle class, middle-class incomes are down.

Folks, we won't be in this situation with Mitt Romney in the White House. He understands what it takes for businesses large and small to thrive.

This knowledge doesn't come from a textbook (although he's read plenty of those). It comes from decades of rolling up his sleeves and getting the job done.

It comes from recognizing the strengths and contributions of every individual. His experience tells him that the most valuable insight can be gained - not by lecturing - but by listening.

And when he does use his presidential bully pulpit, it will be to champion the cause of small business and make it clear to all companies that it is safe to hire again.
 
On Day One of Mitt Romney's presidency, the transformation of Washington will begin. Gone will be the arrogance of a president whose first instinct is to condemn achievement.

Gone will be the attitude that government knows best and solves all.

What you will see and hear is a president who will do everything in his power to make sure government is a catalyst for growth, not an obstacle to success. And, a president with a plan to strengthen the middle class.

May it never be said of us that when confronted with the economic peril before us, we averted our eyes, turned away and did nothing.

Our children's future depends on our willingness to act and our decision to elect Mitt Romney president of the United States.

May God continue to bless the United States of America.

2012 Republican National Convention Releases South Dakota Senator John Thune Speech Excerpts

Republican National Convention Releases South Dakota Senator John Thune Speech Excerpts

Tampa, Fla. - The 2012 Republican National Convention released the following excerpts of U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) prepared remarks to be delivered to the convention today, August 29.

"We have a sluggish economy, burdened by Obama Administration policies that are weighing down our job creators. Middle class Americans, in cities and on farms, are bearing the brunt. The big government bureaucrats of the Obama administration have set their sights on our way of life. Instead of preserving family farms and ranches, President Obama's policies are effectively regulating them out of business. ... Folks, we won't be in this situation with Mitt Romney in the White House. He understands what it takes for businesses large and small to thrive."

***

"His experience tells him that the most valuable insight can be gained -- not by lecturing -- but by listening. And when he does use his Presidential bully pulpit, it will be to champion the cause of small business and make it clear to all companies that it is safe to hire again."

***

"On Day One of Mitt Romney's presidency, the transformation of Washington will begin. Gone will be the arrogance of a President whose first instinct is to condemn achievement. Gone will be the attitude that government knows best and solves all. What you will see and hear is a President who will do everything in his power to make sure government is a catalyst for growth, not an obstacle to success. And, a President with a plan to strengthen the middle class."

Senator John Thune Attends Victory Office Opening In Virginia On Friday, July 27, 2012

Senator John Thune Attends Victory Office Opening In Virginia

Boston, MA – On Friday, Senator John Thune will attend the opening of the Springfield Victory Office in Springfield, Virginia and welcome President Obama to Virginia.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Event: Senator John Thune Attends Springfield Victory Office Opening 

Location:                 

Springfield Victory Office
6320 Augusta Drive
Springfield, Virginia

Doors Open: 10:00 AM EDT

Program Time: 10:30 AM EDT

Senator John Thune Attends “We Did Build It” Rally In Virginia On Thursday, July 26, 2012

Senator John Thune Attends “We Did Build It” Rally In Virginia

Boston, MA – On Thursday, Senator John Thune will join local small business owners at a “We Did Build It” Rally at Waterman’s Surfside Grill in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Event: Senator John Thune Attends Virginia Beach “We Did Build It” Rally 

Location:                 

Waterman’s Surfside Grill
415 Atlantic Avenue
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Doors Open: 6:30 PM EDT

Program Time: 7:00 PM EDT

The Fix–@JohnThune is out, who benefits? @TimPawlenty

“The most obvious beneficiary is former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty who would have occupied similar space to Thune had the South Dakota Senator run.” By Chris Cillizza

The Fix - John Thune is out, who benefits?

Statement From John And Kimberley Thune On Not Running For President In 2012

Statement from John and Kimberley Thune

For months now, my wife Kimberley and I have received encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, and supporters from across South Dakota and the country to run for the presidency of the United States. We have appreciated hearing their concerns about where the country is headed and their hopes for a new direction.

During this time, Kimberley and I and our two daughters have given a great deal of thought to how we might best serve South Dakota and our nation. That process has involved lots of prayer.

Along the way, we have been reminded of the importance of being in the arena, of being in the fight. And make no mistake that during this period of fiscal crisis and economic uncertainty there is a fight for the future direction of America. There is a battle to be waged over what kind of country we are going to leave our children and grandchildren and that battle is happening now in Washington, not two years from now. So at this time, I feel that I am best positioned to fight for America’s future here in the trenches of the United States Senate.

I want to thank those who have encouraged us and prayed for us during the past several months. We are forever grateful for all the support.

John and Kimberley

Sen. John Thune To Address 2011 Missouri GOP Lincoln Day Celebration

Sen. John Thune to address 2011 Missouri Lincoln Day Celebration

The Missouri GOP announced that Senator John Thune will share his vision of our party’s future with Missouri’s committed Republican volunteers and activists at our 2011 state Lincoln Days celebration, which will take place February 25-27, 2011, at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield.

CPAC 2011 To Feature Senator John Thune @JohnThune

Thune: Decision on 2012 presidential run to come by next spring - Rapid City Journal

“U.S. Sen. John Thune said Monday that he will decide by next spring whether to run for president in 2012.“I wouldn’t anticipate anything being formalized until sometime next year,” the South Dakota Republican said. “If I decided I was serious about that, I’d be looking at a winter-spring timeframe.” by Kevin Woster, Rapid City Journal

Thune: Decision on presidential run to come by next spring