Sen. John Thune: Biden's Foreign Policy Failures Mount

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) joins "America Reports" to discuss President Biden's foreign policy decisions and their impact on the upcoming Senate elections.

Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota and the Senate Minority Whip, has criticized President Biden's foreign policy decisions, citing them as a major factor in the GOP's efforts to regain the Senate majority in the upcoming elections.

Thune, who is considered a top contender to succeed outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, believes that the GOP has a significant opportunity to win back the Senate, but it must maximize its chances this year.

Sen. John Thune: Biden's Foreign Policy Failures Mount

He pointed to the 23 Democratic-held seats up for grabs in November, including those in deep red states like West Virginia, Ohio, and Montana, as key targets for Republicans.

"It's kind of really a make-or-break moment for Republicans in the Senate," Thune said. "If we don't get it done this time, the next two cycles aren't great for us."

Sen. John Thune: Biden's Foreign Policy Failures Mount

Thune has been actively campaigning for Republican Senate candidates, attending fundraising events and rallies across the country. He emphasized the importance of differentiating between candidates and highlighting the stark differences between the two parties.

"Elections are about differences," Thune said. "The differences couldn't be more stark between the two parties."

Sen. John Thune: Biden's Foreign Policy Failures Mount

Regarding the potential impact of Vice President Kamala Harris replacing President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, Thune acknowledged that it would be a "new race." However, he stressed that the issue set remains the same and that voters will likely be heavily influenced by issues such as border security and inflation.

"If it's about the issues, I think we are really well positioned to win and that should help down-ballot, too," Thune said.

Sen. John Thune: Biden's Foreign Policy Failures Mount

While Thune cautioned Senate candidates against getting drawn into the presidential race discussions, he emphasized the importance of targeting voters effectively.

"Our side is doing a lot better job targeting voters this time around and making sure that we're turning out and getting people to the polls way better than we did two years ago," Thune said, referring to the 2020 elections.

In his own race to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leader, Thune has been meeting with incumbent senators and building relationships with candidates on the campaign trail.

"I think people are going to be looking for leadership that is able to produce results and get things done," Thune said. "I hope to be able to make that argument when the time comes."

Thune's comments come amid ongoing criticism of Biden's foreign policy decisions, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the strained relations with China.

The midterm elections will be held on November 8, 2022, and the outcome of the Senate races will have a significant impact on the balance of power in Washington.