WASHINGTON — The Senate Republican leader is encouraging Sen. John Thune's potential White House bid but is stopping short of an endorsement.
Sen. Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he hopes the South Dakota lawmaker will run for president in 2012. When asked on MSNBC if he was endorsing his colleague, McConnell laughed and said he didn't want to give Thune that handicap.
Thune is among more than a dozen names mentioned as a potential challenger for President Barack Obama. Thune says he hasn't yet made a decision but tells ABC News that "the clock is ticking."
Thune says he is looking at how he can best serve the country. He says there is a "big opportunity" on a national scale but adds he isn't rushing to run.
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