Dole Says Fight With Clinton Not Personal

RUSSELL, Kan. (AllPolitics, March 25) -- Sen. Robert Dole says he has a good working relationship with President Bill Clinton and it is important for them to work on legislation even as they prepare for a fall showdown.

"I don't dislike Bill Clinton personally," Dole (R-Kan.) said at western campaign stops over the weekend. "It is about broken promises. It is about trust."

Dole argues that Clinton ran as a centrist "New Democrat" in 1992, but has vetoed legislation that would have fulfilled those promises.

"We're going to repay all those vetoes," Dole said. "We're going to veto Bill Clinton on November 5th."

Dole has said he would be "a common sense conservative" as president and would appoint conservative judges. "Liberals need not apply," he told a rally in Washington state (198K AIFF or WAV sound). He also has endorsd a ballot initiative in California that would roll back state affirmative action programs.

With the fall election seven months away, no one can say how acrimonious the Dole-Clinton contest may be. Dole has a reputation for flashes of temper, but has largely kept it in check during this campaign season.

In a nostalgic homecoming, Dole took his campaign back to his Russell, Kan. hometown today (pop. 4,781) for a victory barbecue, a walk down Main Street and a visit to the county court house where he worked as a prosecutor in the 1950's.

"At this point, I wanted to be home," Dole said in a speech. "To come to this place and see all my friends.

"Anyone who wants to understand me must first understand the community of Russell, Kansas, U.S.A.," Dole continued. "It was here I learned that doing was better than talking, but I also learned to speak my mind -- to be direct, even at the cost of controversy -- and to keep my word."

Dole, poised for another important win in tomorrow's GOP California primary, has been cautious about saying the Republican nomination is his. But the Golden State's 165 delegates should remove all doubt.

Less than a year ago, Dole returned to Russell to announce his third try for the presidency.

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