Posted on 07/19/2006 10:34:54 AM PDT by slowhand520
Thune Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush
Jul 19 1:06 PM US/Eastern By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON
Freshman Sen. John Thune, the Republican hero two years ago for ousting the Senate Democratic leader, said Wednesday that if he were running this year, he'd distance himself from President Bush and his agenda.
In 2004, the White House political operation recruited Thune to challenge Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. He dealt the Democratic Party a major blow, edging Daschle in South Dakota as Bush captured a second term.
Thune, a conservative who rarely breaks with the GOP or Bush, said Wednesday that if he were up for re-election this year, he'd adopt a different strategy.
"If I were running in the state this year, you obviously don't embrace the president and his agenda," Thune told reporters at the National Press Club. He said the Iraq war is Bush's biggest problem.
"The first thing I'd do is acknowledge that there have been mistakes made," he said. "Our candidates have to draw and point out differences in how they would approach and win the war in Iraq and how their opponents would. The biggest thing we have going for us on that issue is that Democrats are very divided."
Thune is a leading contender to head the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which recruits and helps finance Senate candidates, in the 2008 election cycle. The South Dakota senator offered a blunt assessment of the 2006 outlook.
"Clearly we are facing a headwind if you look at the national political environment," Thune said. "The president's numbers in most places aren't good ... these are going to be tough races to win."
Republicans hold 55 seats to the Democrats 45 with one Democratic- leaning independent. Republican incumbents in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Montana, Missouri and Ohio face tough challenges. Democrats need to gain six seats to capture control of the Senate.
Thune said Republicans facing election should emphasize their differences with opponents on issues such as national security, which usually favor Republicans.
"What our candidates have to effectively do is make it about a choice," he said. "Who can move forward with a positive agenda?"
Since defeating Daschle, Thune has been a major draw on the Republican fundraising circuit, raising money for numerous candidates in states such as Missouri and Minnesota. He said he will decide after Labor Day on whether he wants to seek the post of chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The current chair is Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C. Lawmakers typically hold the job for one election cycle.
With friends like these....
What is it with these guys? The National Committee did a lot to get him elected and I'm sure Rs from around the country contributed to his campaign in the hopes of showing Daschle the door. Now he wants to be independent!
And I sent this guy money in his election bid! In that election, I was supportive of not only Thune, but Lindsey Graham. Neither will get my support again...and Lindsey will not get my vote.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Thune = synonymn for dumb s***!
Of course AP totally ignores Bush's position on open borders and support for illegals (amnesty) which is Bush's other BIG problem, and a major issue with conservatives who respect our soverignty and our laws, to say nothing about government waste of taxpayers' dollars on illegals.
I certainly cannot fault TRUE conservatives for separating themselves from Bush. For obvious reasons.
Since this is an AP story, I will give Thune the benefit of doubt. something might have been taken totally out of context. I also gave Thune money. I hope the problem was with the AP writer.
don't blame him!
No, Senator, the problem isn't the Iraq war, but the White House's mysterious inability to consistently frame Iraq as key to the war on terror and changing the calculus in the Middle East, as well as the MSM's incessant lying about our progress there.
File this under the catagory of no good deed goes unpunished
I'd distance myself from Bush also:
on immigration pandering,
vote fraud ignoring,
spending excessively,
veto preventing,
McClaim-Findgold signing,
Kennedy-NEA pandering,
....
"He said the Iraq war is Bush's biggest problem. "
WRONG!!!!!!
Bush's biggest problem is the illegal alien invasion and his refusal to deal with it. Its alienating his base.
His base supports the war on terror and understands why we are in Iraq. Some of us may differ on aspects of our tactics there and the importance of moving on to neighboring targets like Iran and Syria, but Bush's base is solidly behind him on Iraq.
Neither will get my support again...and Lindsey will not get my vote.
Oh come on. You will or should if it is between him and a liberal. We can't allow for the dems to get in ever again. Plus, he seems to be improving over the last six months. I think he just got to involved with McCain and let him influence him.
Rino homo erectless
Good. John Thune was a Christian conservative when he was elected. It appears he intends to remain that way.
It is obvious the majority of House members are running against Bush on amnesty for illegals.
MSM is following NYTimes/DNC lead in framing "dissension" in Republican ranks and not mentioning the same in Democratic.
What's wrong with him is he is a typical short sighted, It's all about me, "gratitude, what's that", scumbag politician.
It is obvious the majority of House members are running against Bush on amnesty for illegals.
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Yes, and let up pray for America that it stays that way.
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