(Sen. John) Thune Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush

[sabra]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2211497

Thune Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush
Sen. John Thune of S.D. Says He'd Distance Himself From Bush if He Were Running This Year


WASHINGTON Jul 19, 2006 (AP)— 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.

...

"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."

[saltpoint]

1. Tough talk from someone whose re-election falls after Bush leaves

office.

If Daschle was often frustrating he was never as smarmy and shallow as John Thune.

[CatholicEdHead]

7. Exactly, he has little to loose by doing this now

as peoples' attentions spans are pretty short.

[havocmom]

2. Senators should stop 'distancing' and start exercising some oversight!

Just avoiding being photographed with bush is not constructive and won't save America!

edited to add:
Instead of 'distancing' GET IN HIS FACE AND DEMAND HE OBEY LAWS!

[donkeyotay]

4. Congress has, occasionally, asked TOUGH QUESTIONS

What more could they possibly do?

:shrug:

[jwirr]

5. But you see this wonderful replacement for Daschle doesn't

disagree with *ss he only wants to appear as if he does.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Thune appears to believe all he has to do to distance himself from

the bloody, putrid excesses of the _Bush administration is simply make announcements.

The story of how he lashed himself to the administration to get elected, and acted as its groveling servant would reveal a different relationship. By the time Thune joined a few other Republicans in asking that _Bush disclose his history with Abramoff, he was already compromised.

[Tellurian]

6. But there he was, standing w/* for the VETO photo/op..

holding his darling child. Apparently, he doesn't care that his child is
exposed to flagrant hypocrisy and unconscionable demagoguery!