Thune advises distance from Bush agenda

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 would distance himself from President Bush and his agenda.

“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.”

“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.”

Thune said Republicans should not let Democrats make the election a referendum on the president but rather highlight their differences with Democrats on issues such as the economy and national security, which he said favor Republicans. He said GOP candidates shouldn’t be afraid to point out where they differ with the president and should localize the contests.

Tough truth for the administration.