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Thune Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush
AP ^

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.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: South Dakota
KEYWORDS: 109th; bushbash; disloyalty; election2006; fingerinthewind; ingratitude; pollmonkeys; thune
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To: slowhand520

I live in Texas...and sent $$$$ to this joker in 2004.

Dang...I wonder if I could get it back?


21 posted on 07/19/2006 10:50:45 AM PDT by Txsleuth ((((((((((( ISRAEL)))))))))))))
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To: slowhand520

This SOB couldn't be any closer to Bush's coattails when he ran against Daschel and won. Now, this "conservative" wants to distance himself from Bush and his policies? He now represents the RNC??? My goodness, not only will they not receive my checks but nasty notes will be attached to every solicitation I return to them, less a check.


22 posted on 07/19/2006 10:52:36 AM PDT by caisson71
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To: slowhand520; All

IIRC, Thune felt he got hung out to dry by Bush over the issue of closing an AF base in South Dakota. One of the the major themes of his campaign was that, if elected, he'd have the influence with the WH to see that the BRAC didn't close the base...so, right after the election, what did the WH do?


23 posted on 07/19/2006 10:58:19 AM PDT by ken5050
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To: slowhand520
What our candidates have to effectively do is make it about a choice," he said. "Who can move forward with a positive agenda?"

That's yer prolum, rite'chere. Neither of the two parties can.

24 posted on 07/19/2006 10:59:05 AM PDT by mikeus_maximus (Hey George! Read OUR lips: Build the wall!)
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Right. Some "allies" use the older
adage, "One for All and ALL for ME!"


25 posted on 07/19/2006 11:00:18 AM PDT by Grendel9 (quen)
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To: napscoordinator; samanella
Oh come on. You will or should if it is between him and a liberal.

Heck, Graham is turning into a liberal!

26 posted on 07/19/2006 11:02:51 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: slowhand520

The story is a lie.

BREAKING: AP Reporter Lies In Headline On Thune
A story by Associated Press Writer Mary Clare Jalonick carries a fraudulent headine: Thune Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush. I would know, I was one of a handful of reporters to attend the "pen and pad" briefing at the National Press Club today and sat right beside her.

http://www.jeffgannon.com/archives/general/index.html#a000630


27 posted on 07/19/2006 11:03:59 AM PDT by ConservativeMajority
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To: Rummyfan
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...

Right < /sarc >...we're all suppose to blindly follow a leader who's
1. Proclaimed Bill Clinton "My Brother"!
2. Proposed that a Dubai terror group protect our port cities!
3. Plays lip service to puny little dictators in Iraq and Korea and prays he won't have do more than that!
4. Has yet to veto one bill even though we're spending like a drunken jarhead on liberty!
5. Allows his secretary of state to criticize Israel's self defense!
6. Backs the most incompetent defense secretary since Edwin Stanton was in office (Lincoln administration)!
7. Often mispronounces words (i.e. "Ah-mur-rika") to national audience but has no trouble saying "sh*t" on the world (G-8) stage to the embarrassment of us all!
8. Tells his FEMA chief he's "doin' a great job Brownie" then lets him twist slowly in wind!
9. Cosy-ups with far-left Teddy Kennedy to pass disasterous "No Child Left" education bill!
10. Blames John McCain for a reasonable CFR proposal saying it limits freedom of speech but signs it anyway!

28 posted on 07/19/2006 11:04:03 AM PDT by meandog (If I were to draw the odious Islamic prophet Muhammad, he would have horns, a tail, and a pitchfork!)
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To: slowhand520
Added sd (US: South Dakota) to the TOPICS list for our FRiends who monitor South Dakota news in the sidebar.

Instead of just scrolling past them all, please take a moment to click the applicable state(s) on the Topics screen when posting news of particular interest to people in that state.

29 posted on 07/19/2006 11:05:27 AM PDT by newgeezer ("Hezbollah" is deceptive. The accurate translation is "Hezb'Allah"; it means 'party of Allah')
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To: meandog
Often mispronounces words (i.e. "Ah-mur-rika") to national audience but has no trouble saying "sh*t" on the world (G-8) stage to the embarrassment of us all!

I wasn't embarassed by that at all! :^)

30 posted on 07/19/2006 11:06:01 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: slowhand520
Yeah Senator Thune, THAT will get you a lot of votes. The Democrats are just dying to vote for a moderate Republic who ousted their Saint Tommy of the Miniature.
31 posted on 07/19/2006 11:08:34 AM PDT by msnimje (There is no way we can lose if we stay in Iraq and no way we can win if we cut and run.)
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To: meandog

You left out:

"Says we're a nation of laws while failing to enforce the lwas concerning our border.

Claims to have the defense of Americans at heart, while failing to enforce border security."


32 posted on 07/19/2006 11:11:17 AM PDT by SerpentDove (No weapon forged against Israel will prevail. - Isaiah 54:17)
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To: slowhand520

I like John Thune a great deal and this story had a strange feel to it. I've contacted his office (and forwarded the story) and asked for a transcript of the event because I was curious if it was taken out of context, was creative editing, or just that Thune is more conservative than the President has been. They indicated they would be getting back to me...


33 posted on 07/19/2006 11:11:49 AM PDT by philled ("Enshrine mediocrity, and your shrines are razed." -- Ellsworth Toohey)
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To: SerpentDove

Typo in previous post,

---

You left out:

"Says we're a nation of laws while failing to enforce the LAWS concerning our border.

Claims to have the defense of Americans at heart, while failing to enforce border security."


34 posted on 07/19/2006 11:12:03 AM PDT by SerpentDove (No weapon forged against Israel will prevail. - Isaiah 54:17)
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To: Rummyfan

Heck, Graham is turning into a liberal!



I defer to your experience with him because I don't follow him too much except what MSN gives out. I know he was a thorn in everyone's side during the group 14 or what ever it was called, but I guess I just haven't heard from him through MSN lately. I hope he either improves or like you mentioned before you may have to vote against him. Hopefull the democrat is better (I know it is crazy, but I guess sometimes they are).


35 posted on 07/19/2006 11:14:57 AM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: slowhand520

Playing the game of low expectations...that is what Thune is doing, I believe.


36 posted on 07/19/2006 11:24:21 AM PDT by Recovering_Democrat (I am SO glad to no longer be associated with the party of "dependence on government"!)
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To: slowhand520

This guy should shut up and count his lucky stars that his state still gets all those wasteful farm subsidies (WELFARE).


37 posted on 07/19/2006 11:25:14 AM PDT by Minus_The_Bear
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To: slowhand520

I'm going to assume the AP chose and picked quotes to make Thune sound anti-Bush. The article hints that Thune is anti-war, but does not give any quotes where Thune supposedly said it was a mistake. The article also said Thune would choose a different strategy if he was running for election right now. But, back during the campaign Thune tried very hard to give people the impression he stood on his own as a candidate. I could be wrong but I don't think Bush visited South Dakota to campaign for him in 2004 (although Bush came to South Dakota five times in 2002).


38 posted on 07/19/2006 11:27:12 AM PDT by faq (Oh, you heard that, too.)
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To: napscoordinator

You people are beginning to make me sick! Thune: 1) Didn't contest the 2002 election when he lost to Tim Johnson: 2)He didn't run for Governor because the RNC wanted him to run against Daschle, and 3) He beat the majority leader in the 2nd biggest election in 2004! What r u people missing? Blame Nicholsen for not running in Montana. Blame Hoeven for not taking on Conrad this year. Blame Thompson in Wisconsin. Blame Gibbons in Nevada. Blame Jeb for not running in Fla! If Thune wants to be a Chuck Hagel that's fine by me. He's paid his dues and is entitled to our gratitude big time. I blame the cowards who won't run and you idiots that can't see. This website is getting stupid.


39 posted on 07/19/2006 11:33:10 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: ZULU

BINGO BUMP!


40 posted on 07/19/2006 11:37:32 AM PDT by conservativecorner
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