Thune Won't Enter 2012 Race

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) announced Tuesday that he will not run for President in 2012, putting an end to more than a year of speculation.

“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,” Thune said in a statement. “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.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told MSNBC last month that Thune would make “a great president” and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) described him in a recent interview with the National Review as a “true-blue conservative” and “consensus builder.” He also made an appearance at CPAC this year.

Thune’s is the third Republican to officially withdraw his name from the 2012 arena. In January, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) announced he would not be entering the race and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has repeatedly stated that he has no desire to run.