Gilmore: Asking Saudis to up oil production is like negotiating with enemies

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore may have put John McCain's name on the campaign signs he put up around the Wakefield Shad Planking a few weeks back, but according to the Washington Times he is making a very concerted effort to distance himself from President Bush as he runs for the U.S. Senate seat now held by John Warner.

According to the Times, Gilmore "dramatically distanced himself from President Bush on trade, immigration, spending and energy, and even likened the president's hat-in-hand request of the Saudi government to boost oil production last week to Sen. Barack Obama's call to negotiate with enemy leaders."

Ouch.

Gilmore also told the Times editorial board that the GOP is "'splintered' both at the national level and in Virginia."

Read the full story, and watch the Washington Times video of the interview, here.

Gilmore is seeking the GOP nomination to run for U.S. Senate in November against Democrat Mark Warner. The party will choose between Gilmore and state Del. Bob Marshall at its convention in Richmond next week.