Thune Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush

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.

Thune takes reporter to task for misquote. From Monday's Roll Call:

In an interview Friday, Thune said he feels it is important that his colleagues hear directly from him that the published reports were off base. Thune said he “was shocked” by what he read in print, saying his message was that while mistakes have been made, as in any war, Republicans continue to be united behind Bush and that victory is the only option in Iraq...Those comments were “in the context of an entire discussion. I thought it was very much a ‘gotcha’ story where they cherry-picked or plucked out some controversy and took it out of context,” Thune said.

Your message to Sen. Thune (* = my edit), reproduced here just in case your image and/or post disappears for any reason:

What... are you a f*cking retard, or do you just play one on CSPAN?!?
The Bush agenda is WHY you have cred on national security. Don't be such a jerkoff, friggin' ungrateful RINO.
You're damn lucky you aren't running this year with this damn metrosexual McCain wanna'-be BS I have to read from the AP on your PATHETIC spineless pandering to the MSM.
Go to hell.

I trust his office will give your message the attention it deserves. If it's not too much trouble, let us know what you receive in reply.

When this story broke I had forwarded a link to Thune via his web site. Today I got an email back from him. OK, it took a while but I kind of like the idea that he doesn't sit around and send email all day (unlike me). I was expecting to see a press release on his web site, but I don't see where he ever issued one.

Thank you for contacting me about recent media accounts characterizing statements I made about the upcoming elections. I appreciate receiving your comments and having the opportunity to respond and clarify this matter.

To begin, I respect and support President Bush and his strong leadership for our country. Although I am not afraid to disagree with the President on certain issues when appropriate, I have consistently and publicly supported him in his efforts in fighting the War on Terror and many other issues. Recently, however, some in the media have taken comments I made about the upcoming elections out of context, distorted my message, and tried to create controversy where it does not exist.

We all recognize that the enemies we face in Iraq are vicious terrorists whose only mission is to kill innocent Americans and Iraqis. Therefore, defeat is not an option in the War on Terror. I have been to Iraq twice, and have consistently expressed my support for the outstanding job that our American troops are doing over there fighting the War on Terror, and for the President's leadership in these efforts.

It is unfortunate when the media does not report statements accurately and takes things out of context in an attempt to create controversy and cause division among members of Congress and the President. Although some will attempt to make the upcoming elections solely a referendum on the President, I believe that a hopeful, forward-looking vision of the country that focuses on protecting America's homeland, securing our prosperity, growing the economy, and creating more jobs are the types of things that will resonate with voters across this country.

Thanks again for contacting me, and I appreciate the opportunity to address this issue with you. You can be sure that I will keep your comments in mind as I continue to serve South Dakota in the United States Senate.

Kindest regards,

JOHN THUNE
United States Senator

It's been a hoot to watch some Democrats and some Republican to
run away as fast as possible from "comprehensive immigration reform"
(AMNESTY, that is).
-----
They had better run away from AMNESTY --- and many are already standing clear of Bush because he stinks when it comes to this issue, and they know it. Going against the will of the American people is not going to be popular or tolerated, and the rage is building --- the Washington nutjobs, elitists, Marxists and other undesireables are going to feel the heat big time ----

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