What Does The Departure Of Senator Bob Dole Mean?

Statement By Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Wednesday, May 15, 1996
Washington, DC

In my view, there are two dimensions to the announcement by Senator Robert Dole, presumed nominee of the Republican Party for President: (1) a government dimension; and (2) a political dimension.

First, the American people owe a great deal to the long and distinguished service that Senator Robert Dole has rendered on behalf of the Republican Party, the people of Kansas and the American people. His advocacy for farm legislation, for Food Stamps, affirmative action and for the Americans with Disability Act are just a few of the significant pieces of legislation that he has led or championed. For this, all Kansans and Americans owe him a debt of gratitude.

Second, however, are the political implications of his resignation for Politics '96. In that regard, the view is much less clear. For example, leadership has been a centerpiece of Sen. Dole's campaign for the presidency. However, if he cannot lead his own party in the Senate, how does he propose to lead the country as President? If he cannot lead and make the tough decisions in the Senate, how will he do so in the White House? He ran in a fiercely fought and competitive primary campaign, which took a lot of time, money and energy, yet he didn't resign. Why now?

The initial response is that it may allow him to jump-start his campaign, possibly allow the consummate insider to redefine himself as an outsider and, by moving to the center, remake himself in time for the November 5, 1996 election.

That may be the best interpretation, but not the only one. While it is true that we have never had an election in this country between an incumbent President and the Majority Leader in the Senate, others have certainly continued to serve in one position while running for the nation's highest office. Bill Clinton continued to be Governor of Arkansas even as he ran for President. Al Gore continued to function as the Senator from Tennessee, even as he ran for President in 1988 and Vice President in 1992. It takes a lot of time and energy to do two different jobs, but apparently it can be done, since many others have done it. It is hard to understand why Senator Dole cannot do it.

Thus, Senator Dole's departure seems strange. One message may be that when the going got tough, Sen. Dole got out of the Senate or that he couldn't stand the heat, so he got out of the Senate. That message does not bode well for a Dole presidency.

Just Bob Dole -- not Senator Bob Dole, Majority Leader of the Senate -- has relinquished official power. President Bill Clinton has not. President Clinton will still perform official functions and officially greet national and world leaders. Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole will not.

Another political reading is that he is trying to make himself over. For most of his political career, Sen. Dole has been considered a moderate. His quest for the Republican presidential nomination made him captive to the Republican religious and political extremists in their party. Now, it appears, he wants to move back to the center.

Sen. Bob Dole's actions have cost him any moral authority to criticize the far rights political agenda. If he really does care about the effects of the Republican extremists agenda on the American people, what better place for him to be than in the Majority Leaders chair? In that seat, he would not just be a spectator. From the seat of Majority Leader he had the opportunity to make a difference for the country. Instead, he chose to take his seat and leave!

Again, in my view, the real danger is the following: The Republican right is happy with Sen. Dole's departure. They perceived his voice of reason as blocking their Contract with America and the Republican revolution. Thus, in a strange sort of way, Sen. Doles departure helps to unite the Republican Party. If Sen. Dole moves back toward the center, the moderate wing of the party will be happier -- i.e., they will have a reason to vote in 1996. If the Senate is led by Sen. Trent Lott and the House is led by Speaker Gingrich, the religious and political extremists in the Republican Party will be happier -- i.e., they will have a reason to vote in 1996. So in a very peculiar way, Sen. Dole's departure allows something to happen that was not happening when he was Majority Leader -- a unity that mobilizes all wings of the Republican Party and gives both of them a reason to vote.

-30-