Many Republican candidates around the country are separating themselves from President Bush, but Minnesota GOP congressional hopeful Erik Paulsen last week emphasized his difference with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on the Iraq war.

Many Republican candidates around the country are separating themselves from President Bush, but Minnesota GOP congressional hopeful Erik Paulsen last week emphasized his difference with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on the Iraq war.

Asked to describe his position on the war, Paulsen sounded like McCain when he said that the United States must atone for its mishandling of the war.

When asked if his war position was similar to McCain’s, though, Paulsen demurred and used a buzzword more often used by Democrats — “blank check.”

“I think Sen. McCain’s more willing to give them a blank check,” Paulsen told The Hill, before saying that he wants to continue to see a phased withdrawal.

Paulsen, a state House member, is in a tough race for retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad’s (R) seat. He is facing Iraq veteran Ashwin Madia in a quintessential swing district in the Minneapolis suburbs.