The Man From Russell: The Runs For The White House

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After losing as Gerald Ford’s 1976 vice presidential running mate, Dole made another run for the White House in 1988. It was a crowded GOP field that included Ronald Reagan’s vice president, George H.W. Bush.

The campaign started well enough with Dole winning in Iowa. But Bush started running ads in New Hampshire saying Dole helped raise taxes, and he won the primary.

On TV that night, Dole ended up in the same segment with Bush and, when asked what message he had for the vice president, Dole snarled into the camera that Bush should “stop lying about my record.” Dole was done after Bush swept the south.

So Dole went back to the Senate. In 1990, he once again had a decision to make on civil rights. He voted against a civil rights bill, saying it did nothing but impose hiring quotas on American employers. Ten Republicans joined all the senate Democrats to pass the bill. Dole was joined by his Kansas colleague Nancy Kassabaum in opposition. The legislation was vetoed by President Bush and an override failed.

Dole was again easily reelected in 1992, beating Gloria O’Dell whose campaign slogan was “Gloria versus Goliath.” Dole won with 63 percent of the vote. Also elected that year, Bill Clinton as president. The national media dubbed Dole Dr. Gridlock and Dr. No.

All of this would set up the final campaign for the Man from Russell. On August 15th, 1996 in San Diego, California Bob Dole accepted the Republican nomination for president. He dreamed and strived for this moment since he entered politics in 1950.

A CNN poll around Labor Day had Bill Clinton with 55 percent, Dole with 32 percent and Ross Perot, running as the Reform Party nominee, with six percent. On November 5th, 1996 Bill Clinton was reelected with 49 percent of the vote to Dole’s 41 percent and Perot’s eight percent. The New York Times called Dole’s campaign one of the most ineffectual in recent memory.

So what is Dole’s legacy? That’s in our last episode.