I wouldn't exactly call what Thune is doing on Bolton a "back-stabbing." That threshold would be reached if the South Dakota freshman either cast the decisive vote against Bolton's confirmation or if he joined the Democrats in voting against cloture. And you'll note that Thune did not do the latter last week.
He's just pandering to the "home folks" over the closing of the Air Force base in his state. Given that there are at least 58 votes for his confirmation, his vote shouldn't be critical in an up or down vote, should the Democrats ever allow one.
Given how pork-engorged the people of West Virginia are after all these years, I would expect a Senator Capito to have to carry on at least something of that tradition, at least until her "home folks" could be weaned off of it.
Commenting by HaloScan
