For Dole, The Last Uncertainty Is Gone

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 14) -- Publisher Malcolm S. "Steve" Forbes' decision to abandon his White House bid removes one of the last remaining uncertainties standing between Sen. Robert Dole and the GOP nomination. (96K AIFF or WAV sound)

No one except Forbes knew how much of his $440 million personal fortune he was willing to spend on the race. Even if he had enjoyed little recent success with voters, Forbes and his checkbook might have been a factor in a media state like California, which votes March 26.

Forbes' departure means there won't be a three-way race in the Golden State's winner-take-all primary. If Forbes' decision helps Dole, it's a big blow to commentator Pat Buchanan, who had hoped a spirited competition in California might give him at least a shot at California's 163 GOP delegates.

Sen. Robert Dole welcomed Forbes endorsement. "No doubt about it -- it helps," Dole (R-Kan.) told the Associated Press when asked about the effect of Forbes' withdrawal.

The big question that remains, however, is how much Dole will reach out to either Forbes or his supporters, by embracing the cause of tax reform. After Forbes spent millions of dollars in negative advertising directed against him, Dole may find it difficult to welcome him on to the bandwagon or find a prominent place for him in the proceedings in San Diego.

And while in his press conference, Forbes said he was supporting Dole, he offered the endorsement almost in passing. Forbes emphasized Dole's ballot box support, rather than saying why he thought people should vote for the Kansas senator.

Forbes captured two primaries, Arizona and Delaware, but his bid crumbled under big Dole wins on Junior and Super Tuesday. In all, Forbes spent about $25 million, most of it from his personal fortune, to win 900,000 votes, or about $27 per vote.

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