Talk:John Thune

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Validation of article performed by WIKICHECK. February 8, 2006 5:35pm. WikiCheck 22:36, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

Contents 1 weighted terms, unsubstantiated claims. 2 confusing? 3 inaccurate information? 4 attention Wikieditors 5 More POV, needs editing 6 Role Jeff Gannon played 7 Thune educated in SoCal

[edit] weighted terms, unsubstantiated claims.

The author claims that Thune has been enveloped in controversy, yet fails to substanciate any of these claims. The text currently reads:

"Several controversies have surrounded Thune, including his lobbying activity on behalf of big beef importers before running for the Senate and the role controversial figure Jeff Gannon played in his 2004 election. Since much of South Dakota's economy is based on the beef industry, ranchers were not thrilled by Thune's aid to the suppliers of foreign beef."

What role did Jeff Gannon play in Thune's 2004 election? Associating a person with a controversial figure without justification of a relationship sends the message that Jeff Gannon played a direct role in the Thune/Daschle race. I do not believe this was the case. Gannon "reported" news about the race using his controversial style, but such coverage is indicative of interest Republicans placed in the race not proof that Thune authorized or promoted Gannon's tactics. The fact that Jeff Gannon is a controversial figure does not neccessarily mean that the personalities he covered are suspect themselves.

Who are "big beef importers?" Please be more specific.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 192.103.41.201 (talk • contribs) 06:27, 16 February 2006 (UTC).

I've been hearing a lot of rumors that Sen. Thune is having an affair and even separated from his wife. Has anybody else heard/read anything like this? Obviously, this is still just a rumor so it doesn't belong in the main article, I am just curious as to what other people have heard. LightningOffense 18:49, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] confusing?

"paid bloggers to blog," seems there should be a better way to phrase this.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 12.214.39.203 (talk • contribs) 21:22, 22 March 2006 (UTC).

[edit] inaccurate information?

To the best of my recollection blogging was not in the bloggers duties as paid consultants for the Thune campaign. As I understand it they were bloggers first, then hired as consultants with the campaign, and continued their blog in the same manner as before their hiring.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 12.214.39.203 (talk • contribs) 21:24, 22 March 2006(UTC).

[edit] attention Wikieditors

Is the tone of the article appropriate for an encyclopedia? In my opinion the phase "perhaps destined to do even greater things for the people of South Dakota and the nation" be excluded; as should other statements of hypothetical nature. After all, it is entirely possible that Sen. Thune is destined NOT to do greater things; he may even be revealed as a Martian invader or a Venusian reptile that wears a human skin. Or he may just disappear from the political scene and be forgotten in about 5 years (precedents are numerous).—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.166.116.231 (talk • contribs) 06:45, 29 April 2006 (UTC).

I think you're right (except for the Martian or Venusian part). As much as I fear getting involved in editing political articles, I went ahead and removed that clause. Heimstern Läufer 06:48, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More POV, needs editing

I believe that "Already a rising star in the Senate due to overcoming long odds in his victory over Senator Daschle, Thune's victory to keep Ellsworth open firmly established his reputation as a tenacious and resourceful political leader" is a POV. I don't suggest removing the whole passage but it needs to be more neutral. I don't believe it is appropriate to assign either overly enthusiastic ("rising star") or overly negative (e.g., "political failure") to a partisan politician, especially after less than 2 years in the Senate. For comparison, the words "rising star" are found on the Sen. Barak Obama page ONLY as a part of a title of a cited reference, they are not used in the actual text of the article. Maybe, for symmetry's sake a similar reference (journal article, wire report etc.) that refers to Sen. Thune as a "rising star" can be found and added to the reference section of this article.

This page will also benefit from inclusion of more information on Sen. Thune's activities as a legislator, other interesting or maybe controversial votes, his expressed positions on various topics etc.

A clarification is also needed: "On November 2, 2004, Thune stunned the nation by defeating Daschle by 4,508 votes or 51% of the vote" -- maybe "... defeating Daschle by 4,508 votes *and gathering 51% of all votes*" S.D. is a small state so people may erroneously think that 4,508 was 51% of all votes. Americans would know that much more than 8840 votes were cast in that election (the actual number was close to 500,000, I believe); however, non-Americans may be confused.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.26.163.39 (talk • contribs) 08:16, 2 May 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Role Jeff Gannon played

Well, what was the role Jeff Gannon played in his election? More elaboration is needed (with a source if possible). Moncrief 08:05, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

On 03:26, 12 November 2006 (UTC), 67.38.254.82 changed Jeff Gannon to "Jake Young" for some reason. The allegations are not sourced in the Gannon article either. I'm removing this from the main page per Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons. RJASE1 19:02, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Thune educated in SoCal

OK, so Mr Thune graduated from Biola University. What was this major? Did he have a minor? Did he excel in any way (letters, Dean lists, etc) ?