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Thune Rallies Iowa GOP

By Bree'Ann Hildreth

Story Created: May 31, 2008 at 6:37 AM CST

Story Updated: May 31, 2008 at 6:37 AM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is probably the only GOP candidate equipped to survive in an election that is badly tilted against the party.

That is the view of Senator John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, who told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that despite sour poll ratings for President Bush and an unpopular war that McCain backs "there's a pathway there for him" to win the presidency.

Thune spoke with the AP before talking to GOP activists before the Republican Party of Iowa's annual Lincoln Day dinner on Friday night.

The fundraiser gives Thune a high-profile role in a state that traditionally launches the presidential nominating season, but he downplayed any personal motives for the visit, saying he was focused on boosting McCain.

Thune says he has no ambitions -- at this point -- of doing anything other than holding his Senate seat and helping McCain get elected.

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