Buchanan, Dole Take Conciliatory Steps

From Correspondent Candy Crowley/CNN

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, March 17) -- The raucous St. Patrick's Day parade on Chicago's south side was a natural for GOP presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, with his Irish- Catholic roots and in-your-face political style.

Lately, though, it has seemed as though Buchanan is a bit less in the face of front-runner Bob Dole.

"Senator Dole has clearly made a gesture yesterday when he said Pat Buchanan's raised a very important issue and we've got to address it," Buchanan said on CNN's Early Edition Sunday.

As Buchanan reveled in his Irish heritage, Dole was celebrating roots of all kinds in the Chicago suburbs, including a salute to the wife of the orthopedic surgeon who put Dole back together after World War II. The Armenian doctor refused all payment for his services.

"I came to Chicago as a young veteran," Dole said. "I was looking for a miracle and found one in Dr. Kelikian."

There was no mention of Buchanan Sunday, but Dole has been saying for weeks that Buchanan deserves some credit, particularly on the issue of people's concern over job security. (60K AIFF or 60K WAV sound) And it appears that Buchanan is beginning to hear Dole's message.

"The senator has clearly indicated that this is now on the table for debate and I think that's a healthy step," Buchanan said.

The former commentator also may be softening his threats to walk away from the party. (102K AIFF or 102K WAV sound) But Buchanan's muted tones may have less to do with what Dole is saying that with what others are -- particularly those under the right wing from which Buchanan gets his lift.

William Bennett of Empower America said Sunday that Dole should tell Buchanan "one of three things: 'Welcome to the party;' 'if you don't want to join the party and embrace our principles, then be quiet;' 'if you don't want to be quiet, then be gone.'" (111K AIFF or 111K WAV sound)

Dole is not prepared to be that blunt, and the Dole camp doubts that long-time Republican Buchanan will bolt the party. Doles' best bet, said one of his close supporters, is to keep the door open -- and his powder dry -- until Buchanan runs out of ammunition.

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