Former conservative ‘blogger' to become Thune senior adviser (JG friend)

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/04/07/news/local/news09.txt

Former conservative ‘blogger' to become Thune senior adviser
By Kevin Woster, Journal Staff Writer

A South Dakota State University history professor who ran a computer Web site critical of former Sen. Tom Daschle during the 2004 campaign is joining the staff of Sen. John Thune, the Republican who ended Daschle's 26-year congressional career.

Jon Lauck said Tuesday night that he would begin his new job as senior adviser to Thune sometime this summer. Lauck, who received $27,000 from Thune's campaign last year as a research consultant, said he was excited about the chance to work full time in helping Thune shape national policy on key issues.

....


But Lauck received the most public notice for his computer Web log, "Daschle v. Thune," during the 2004 campaign. The sharply partisan blog gave critical scrutiny to Daschle and his voting record throughout the campaign, sometimes working with Jeff Gannon, a controversial conservative commentator recently scrutinized for his access to White House news briefings.


Another conservative blogger, Jason Van Beek, who was also paid by the Thune campaign for research services in 2004, also joined Thune's staff.

<</SNIP>>

[Demit]

1. I think JG interviewed for the job but they wanted a bottom.

[countmyvote4real]

3. Brilliant response!

And no need for me to elaborate between the lines or the sheets.

[sabra]

2. I love how they call it "research services".... hmm....

[camitche]

4. Frankly, I'm amazed that a history professor could be

so conservative. Shouldn't history professors have a wide view of politics that isn't compatible with the RW neo-conservative machine? Remind me to never send my kids to South Dakato State University. Nevermind, I wouldn't have anyway.

[DulceDecorum]

7. The Journal of American History review of Jon Lauck's book

Jon Lauck has taken on a difficult task in this book. He seeks to write an economic history of farming in America during the twentieth century that both explains the demise of the small independent farmer and advocates a revision of current antitrust treatment of farmer unions. I found the book a general failure to meet this task. The book fails for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the dense and rambling prose that makes the general argument extremely hard to follow. A second failure stems from Lauck's attempt to undertake economic analysis with an incomplete knowledge of the subject. The result is a very biased presentation of mainstream economic thought and a biased interpretation of the historical record. A final failing is in the level of evidence. The book seldom goes beyond simple quotations from various individuals.

http://www.historycooperative.org/cgi-bin/justtop.cgi?act=justtop&url=http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/88.3/br_141.html

Ouch.

[camitche]

8. Well, he's going to fit right in...

Especially with "the dense and rambling prose that makes the general argument extremely hard to follow" and "biased interpretations" and the "failing...in the level of evidence."

Thanks for posting this.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

9. Great find...

... I just happened to be reading the Sioux Falls ArgusLeader online, and immediately forwarded this site, along with my letter to the editorial board:

" Hello,

I found myself compelled to make sure that the editorial staff of the ArgusLeader is cognizant of the fact that John Thune and his appointment of Jon Lauck to a position as "senior advisor" is fishy, and has links to the Jeff Gannon/James Guckert incident. I also came across this review of Lauck's book, "American Agriculture and the Problem of Monopoly: The Political Economy of Grain Belt Farming, 1953–1980"...

This sure smells like another Gannon/Guckert style informationist. I hope this information is of assistance.

Sincerely,

IThinkThererforIAM

[MADem]

11. You got that right! Ooooooooooh!!!!! That had to HURT

With a review like that, it is really unsurprising that the clown seeks a new job!

[Al-CIAda]

5. Damn...damn...n/t

[DulceDecorum]

6. Jon Lauck claims to be a lawyer.

Can anyone prove that he took the bar?

Jon Luack is one of the original layers for the 501(c)(3) tax exempt organisation known as the Free Speech Foundation.
JeffJames GannonGuckert appears to have been the proprietor of said Foundation.
Free Speech Foundation is closely affiliated with ProBush.com which seems to have slandered the good name of former South Dakota Senator James G. Abourezk who is now suing ProBush for libel.

When and where did Jon Lauck take the bar?

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

10. Oh Oh...

...Abourezk is a great man and very well connected in DC as a lobbiest and supporter of Lebanese and Palestinian rights vs Israel. I have personally met him and came away very impressed after visiting him in his office (concerning some legal stuff I had a few years ago, sadly, he had never tried a case of my type so he gave me a couple of numbers to call).

[sabra]

12. Nice find, and a good question!

Now let's just make sure we get the answer...