{"id":2368779,"date":"2024-11-14T07:29:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T12:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-hope-thune-can-be-paul-ryan-2-0-with-trump-sway-looming-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-14T07:30:10","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T12:30:10","slug":"democrats-hope-thune-can-be-paul-ryan-2-0-with-trump-sway-looming-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-hope-thune-can-be-paul-ryan-2-0-with-trump-sway-looming-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats hope Thune can be &#8216;Paul Ryan 2.0&#8217; with Trump sway looming &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-hope-thune-can-be-paul-ryan-2-0-with-trump-sway-looming-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2368779&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democrats are\u2062 cautiously optimistic following the Republican Party&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/black-lives-matters-most-prominent-chapter-launches-drive-targeting-police-unions\/\" title=\"Black Lives Matter\u2019s Most Prominent Chapter Launches Drive Targeting Police Unions\">recent victories<\/a> in Congress and the White House, particularly with the \u2064election of John Thune (R-SD) as \u200dthe new Senate Majority Leader. They \u200bview Thune as a potential facilitator of bipartisanship, a contrast\u2064 to the more rigid leadership style of his predecessor Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Thune is described as a pragmatic \u200dconservative who has successfully\u200c worked across\u200c party lines, earning respect from Democratic senators such as Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Mark \u2064Warner (D-VA).<\/p>\n<p>While\u2064 there is hope that Thune could resemble\u2063 &#8220;Paul Ryan 2.0,&#8221; acting as a moderating influence,\u200d concerns remain about his alignment with more conservative elements of the party and the\u2063 influence of\u200d President-elect Donald Trump. Democratic leaders such as Chuck Schumer (D-NY) stress the necessity of bipartisan cooperation to\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">tackle impending legislative challenges<\/a>, although\u2062 the pressure exerted by \u2063Trump on Republican leaders may complicate these efforts. The prevailing sentiment is one of cautious optimism tempered by the realities of a \u200bdeeply divided political landscape.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democrats hope Thune can be &lsquo;Paul Ryan 2.0&rsquo; with Trump sway looming<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1880863\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Democrats are searching for whatever silver lining may present itself fresh off the GOP <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3221298\/republicans-win-slim-house-majority-gop-2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">securing a clean sweep<\/a> of Congress and the White House.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>One has materialized with Republicans&rsquo; selection of Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3228120\/thune-cornyn-mcconnell-senate-gop-leader-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">next <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/donald-trump-ends-negotiations-with-nancy-pelosi-on-coronavirus-relief\/\" title=\"Donald Trump Ends Negotiations with Nancy Pelosi on Coronavirus Relief\">majority leader<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The pragmatic conservative is someone who Democrats say can keep bipartisanship alive in a Washington under one-party control. He is taking over from Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), whose institutional streak meant the two parties periodically struck deals and kept the government open.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think John Thune would be a good leader. I think he&rsquo;s somebody who has good relationships across the aisle and obviously respected by his colleagues,&rdquo; said retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the third-ranking Senate Democrat. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve worked together on the Agriculture Committee, and he&rsquo;s been somebody good to work with.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A Senate Democratic aide offered a similar assessment. &ldquo;My hope is that Thune could be Paul Ryan 2.0, essentially an adult in the room,&rdquo; the aide said, referring to the former Republican speaker of the House.<\/p>\n<p>Of the 53 Republicans who will be in the Senate come Jan. 3, Thune received 29 votes on the second ballot on Wednesday. Former GOP Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) came in a close second with 24, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) was eliminated in the first round after receiving the fewest votes.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the candidates had<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3226712\/senate-john-thune-john-cornyn-rick-scott-closing-pitches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;signaled a break<\/a>&nbsp;in McConnell&rsquo;s leadership style, promising more member input and a return to regular order, but Thune was viewed as the candidate most aligned with McConnell and had a slight advantage as his deputy.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our politics are different, but I think he&rsquo;s a serious man,&rdquo; said Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA). &ldquo;I do think of all the potential choices, I think that seems like one that&rsquo;s most compatible with a leader that&rsquo;s going to want to work with our caucus.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, recalled fondly his work with Thune on bipartisan legislation to ban TikTok in the U.S. last year, calling him a &ldquo;very decent guy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But the compliments from across the aisle also came with an asterisk, as is common in Washington&rsquo;s bitterly divided political landscape: Thune is still a conservative who will be under pressure to take cues from President-elect Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;He obviously has been somebody we&rsquo;ve relied on to help manage the Senate in the last few years,&rdquo; Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said of Thune. &ldquo;I just think the question is whether there&rsquo;s going to be any independence from the White House or whether they&rsquo;re just going to be taking marching orders. I&rsquo;m hopeful, but we&rsquo;ll see what kind of grip Trump has on this place.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Fetterman said the will of Trump will undoubtedly be felt in the upper chamber, no matter the Republican leader.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s someone that&rsquo;s going to ultimately be in charge in another sense, and that&rsquo;s Trump,&rdquo; Fetterman said. &ldquo;His will definitely be projected on and imposed on the Senate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) emphasized that &ldquo;bipartisan cooperation is vital&rdquo; to accomplish year-end priorities like funding the government and avoiding a shutdown next month, as well as passing emergency aid for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-unveil-government-funding-debt-ceiling-bill-that-gop-has-vowed-to-oppose\/\" title=\"Democrats Unveil Government Funding, Debt Ceiling Bill That GOP Has Vowed To Oppose\">recent natural disasters<\/a> across the southeast United States. Senate Democrats won&rsquo;t hold their leadership elections until next month, but Schumer is uncontested as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-vowed-to-elect-more-women-they-did-just-that\/\" title=\"Republicans Vowed To Elect More Women...They Did Just That\">party leader<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Sen. Thune and I have done lots of things together in a bipartisan way here in the Senate. I&rsquo;m very hopeful that will continue,&rdquo; Schumer told reporters. &ldquo;I strongly believe that bipartisanship is the best and often the only way to get things done around here in the Senate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3191374\/dates-2024-presidential-transition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>KEY DATES FOR THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Thune, emerging from the hourslong secret ballot vote with his new leadership team assembled, declared it a &ldquo;new day in America&rdquo; on Wednesday. He restated his commitment to advancing Trump&rsquo;s agenda, calling the election a mandate.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The American people have loudly rejected the failed policies of the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda,&rdquo; Thune said. &ldquo;We have a mandate from the American people. A mandate not only to clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda, but also to deliver on President Trump&rsquo;s priorities.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em>Samantha-Jo Roth contributed to this report. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1880863\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1880863\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats see potential in Thune as a bipartisan leader<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2368780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-thune.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3685,44977,23610],"class_list":["post-2368779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-democrats","tag-paul-ryan","tag-thune"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-thune.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2368779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2368779"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2368779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2368783,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2368779\/revisions\/2368783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2368780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2368779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2368779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2368779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}