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Thune says GOP stronger on terror

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By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Aug 12, 2006 - 12:09:09 am CDT

This week’s dramatic new terrorism threat may help remind voters Republicans have provided “strong leadership on that issue that won’t vacillate,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said Friday.

“People will focus on that issue this November,” Thune said in a telephone interview from Grand Island.

“People recognize we’ve gone through the last five years without a major incident. It will be in the fabric of this fall’s elections.”

Story Photo
John Thune

Thune, who achieved GOP star status in 2004 when he defeated Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, was in Nebraska to address a $100-per-person fund-raising reception for Republican Senate nominee Pete Ricketts.  

The event at Grand Island’s Saddle Club raised an estimated $12,000 to $14,000 for the Ricketts campaign.

Steadfast Republican leadership  contrasts with “so much ambiguity and confusion on the Democratic side as to how to contend with the terrorist threat,” Thune said.

The war in Iraq is an issue Republicans need to frame within the context of the war against terror, he said.

“If we allow Democrats to talk about Iraq in isolation, that may work to the Democrats’ benefit” in the autumn election, Thune said.

“I think most people see the connection between Iraq and Lebanon and al-Qaida and this week’s attempted plot as all part of the global war on terror.”

Most Americans want to “focus on completing the mission in Iraq as part of winning the war on terror,” the senator said.

The plot uncovered by British intelligence to blow up airliners bound for the United States once again places the terrorism issue “at the top of people’s minds,” he said.

Ricketts’ contest with Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson this fall “could very well determine control of the U.S. Senate,” Thune said.

Granted, he said, it’s unlikely Republicans would experience a net loss of six Senate seats in November.

“But anything is a possibility and we always have to contend for every seat.”

Nebraska, he said, should provide “good terrain” for a Republican  pickup.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.


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And wrote on August 12, 2006 12:42 am:
" He's right. "
He's WRONG wrote on August 12, 2006 7:27 am:
" What the Republicans really are stronger on is ignoring constitutional rights and spying on individual citizens in the name of fighting terrorism. They're also really good at distorting military intelligence and lying to the American people to gain support for the invasion of a country that had absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist acts of September 11th. Thune is nothing more than a stooge parroting the false claims of this inept and corrupt presidential administration. I can't wait to see Republicans booted out of the Senate and House this fall. "
Mrs. Johnson wrote on August 12, 2006 7:39 am:
" Sometimes strength isn't what's called for. Sometimes you need to use your smarts instead! Look what GW's & Cheney's "strength" has done for the USA and world the past 6 years. Are we really stronger than what we were 6 years ago??? "
peb wrote on August 12, 2006 8:16 am:
" Now that the Republicans created MORE terrorists with the Iraqi war, of course it's "an issue Republicans need to frame within the context of the war against terror . . ." And what the Republicans have done so far is working? "
Ahmed wrote on August 12, 2006 9:45 am:
" Spin is spin, it is the same military and Congress has relied on commanders to demonstrate strength. Unfortunate for our soldiers is Mr. Cheney and Mr. Rumsfeld have micromanaged implementation of strategy. That has castrated the military of its virulence and potential for enduring performance. The result has been a stronger Shiite presence and now more Shiia have a USA militart training. Iran is pleased with how US taxpayers have funded and provided this training. "
Sue wrote on August 12, 2006 10:16 am:
" Dear AND, the only thing "he's right" on is his political leanings. "
Wrong Rx wrote on August 12, 2006 1:24 pm:
" After five years the administration and Blair still haven't won the hearts and minds of Islamic populations in their own countries. That is a significant failure and the finding last week was evidence how feeble there strategy and operations have been. That an under current of hate proliferates shouldn't be a surprise, look at all of the hopeless feelings and hatred against Istael and her US, British partners has spread since the bombings in Lebanon. Choices of destruction are not acceptable because it only generates more and spreads quicker than avian flu. War flu is a deadly disease spread by leaders infected with hate. "
Thune is Pro Shiite (Hizbollahs religion) wrote on August 12, 2006 1:33 pm:
" Yes Thune, Republicans have supported and made potential for terrorists stronger. Training and supplying Hezbollah's extended army...the Shiites of Iraq...fortifies Shiia strength and presence. USA taxpayers and Defense has supported this perverted anti USA soldier condition. It is an irony, but you have helped build a stronger Islamic force that Israel is fearful of. That is the building of terror Thune supports, the three districts need to purge themselves of this Republican strategy and her poodle politicians. "
bin laden at large wrote on August 12, 2006 2:14 pm:
" if our "war on terror" is designed to bring these terrorists to justice then why is Bin laden still at large after 5 years? This is the number one operative of al qaida. While we are bogged down in Iraq, he runs free and is able to plot other attacks, as mentioned by our vice president, al qaida seemed to be behind the recent arrests in london. Get us out of Iraq and on the path to bringing bin laden to the hand of justice. "
DP wrote on August 12, 2006 3:18 pm:
" What are the democrats plan on fighting terrorist? Sit down for lunch and talk with Bin Laden and see if we can come to a mutual understanding? Do you people think it was America's fault they attacked us on 9/11 too? We weren't at war then, but they still wanted to kill thousands of Americans. Even if we did not go to war in Iraq or if we had killed Bin Laden, terrorist would still hate us and want to kill Americans. So what do we do, just sit back and wait for the next attack. You have to be proactive. We haven't had a successful attack agaist us in 5 years so yes Mrs. Johsnon and Peb we are safer and the plan is working. "
Scott wrote on August 12, 2006 3:44 pm:
" "People recognize we’ve gone through the last five years without a major incident. It will be in the fabric of this fall’s elections." John, I'd like to buy your magic rock that keeps terrorists away. It's obvious that Thune has never taken a logic course: it's rather specious reasoning to say that Republicans keep terrorists away. It's like me saying that my pet rock keeps tigers away. "
Thune Iraq Religion wrote on August 12, 2006 5:03 pm:
" Thune and others forget, the primary training in Iraq is of Shiite warriors (Iraqi troops). Hoe important is religion to our soldiers and do they or Iraqi troops share a common religion with Hezbollah? Who are taxpayers training and what is their religion of choice? Is Thune supporting this training and does he understand what he is endorsing? "

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