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"We must rekindle a spirit in our hearts, something very American, something still alive, but buried beneath a thickening layer of skepticism and doubt." |
Elizabeth Dole (NC) The wife of Bob Dole was the biggest winner in his 1996 presidential campaign. She charmed voters both on camera and in person and her resume demonstrates leadership skills. As soon as she stepped down from the American Red Cross in January 1999, Dole became a contender. She will be able to use her husband's organizational network and fundraising ability. However, it would be a mistake to think that Elizabeth Dole's current popularity is solely a result of the 1996 campaign. Indeed, her GOP credentials may be among the most impressive in the field, having served the administrations of Presidents Bush, Reagan and Nixon. In her various roles, many of which were firsts for women, Elizabeth Dole has built a repuation for solid leadership skills. "The Red Cross has been a mission field. I felt passionately about what I was doing there, as I did in my government positions," Dole told CNN's Late Edition on January 6. "Now, you know, I think this is an important time in our nation's life. I want to take a look at how I could best serve. Public service has been my entire life. So I am not stepping down from public service. It is just a matter of how I can best serve, how I can best make a difference." Given her experience, positive image and popular name, Elizabeth Dole has great potential in the 2000 campaign. However, she has started slowly in two areas: fundraising and organization. While her campaign points out that her strong poll numbers are better than money in the bank, that argument won't hold up very long. In politics, even more than other ventures, it's important that people "put their money where their mouth is." Dole is also taking some interesting steps in staking out a moderate stance on some issues. For example, her comments that "you don't need an AK-47 to defend your family" has raised some ire in conservative circles where some note it depends from whom/what you are defending your family and others question the concept of governing according to "need". Yet her message pleased many moderates. Dole has shown an ability to attract crowds at every campaign stop and she placed a respectable third in the Iowa Straw Poll. However, she had yet to break out of the second-tier of candidates with a strong showing that in some way indicates she can win. That was the surprise that many Dole supporters hoped for. Instead they got an annoucement on October 20 that she had decided to drop out of the presidential race. Click here to read her withdrawal speech. |
