Evan McMorris-Santoro May 11, 2010, 9:32 PM

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) told Republican state party chairs gathered at their annual convention in Maryland tonight that it was time for Republicans to “get in the arena” and start working to win elections. But when it came to his own rumored presidential ambitions, Thune was less eager to discuss the field of play.

“That was not a personal reference,” Thune told reporters after the speech. He said he’s not thinking about running for president yet and is still focused on 2010.

Thune offered the state party chairs a pretty standard Republican-base rallying speech, all Reagan and “getting back to core Republican values.” But when it came to 2010 — which Thune called a “crossroads election,” — Thune told the crowd that it was time for Republicans at all levels to get up and get involved, lest they squander the opportunity to make big gains by not showing up.

He stopped short of predicting a GOP takeover of either the House and the Senate, promising only that the party’s numbers will grow if it offers Americans “a vision and a future” based in “core Republican values.”

After the speech, Thune told reporters that it was in his nature to err on the side caution when it comes to the expectations game.

“If we had the election today, it would be a good day for us,” Thune said. He said that the “fundamentals of the race are baked in,” but he kept the door open for something to change between now and November.

“I try to keep the bar low,” the South Dakotan Senator joked, poking fun at his heritage — which he said was a naturally pessimistic one. “I’m Norwegian you know,” he said.

Most of the questions from reporters were predictably about 2012. Thune ducked and weaved — not saying no and not saying yes about whether he’d run or not — the way most politicians considering a presidential bid do.

One audience member from his home state delegation was more interested in taking a firm stand.

“Not in 2012,” South Dakota GOP Commiteewoman Mary Jean Jensen told me when I asked her if Thune should run. She said that while Thune would make a good president, she’s worried that defeating President Obama might pose too tough a challenge.

“Remember Clinton?” She asked. Jensen said that voters weren’t ready to turn the incumbent Democrat out despite his party’s drubbing in the 1994 midterms and the same thing could happen again in two years. “I just don’t know if it’s the right time yet. It’s probably best to wait a few years.”

“Of course, it’s his decision,” Jensen added.

She pondered the idea of Thune in 2012 for a second. “I don’t know, maybe vice president?” she said.

2012 elections, John Thune