Mrs. Dole Leads Hometown Rally

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 10) -- The political spotlight switched from likely Republican presidential nominee Robert Dole (R-Kan.) to his wife, Elizabeth Dole, at a rally in her hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina Tuesday.

"It's a great honor for me to be able to introduce Elizabeth," Dole told a crowd of 2,500 which included high school classmates and U.S. Senators Jesse Helms and Lauch Faircloth. "Not only do you have a (future) first lady from your town, but a first Liddy."

As the crowd held signs saying "We love Liddy" and banners hung reading "Put a North Carolinian in the White House," Mrs. Dole took the opportunity to talk politics (132K WAV sound).

"This is a defining moment, this next election," the American Red Cross chief told the crowd. "It's one of the most important in the nation's history."

Character matters, Mrs. Dole asserted. She said her husband could be trusted because he was raised in a family that was "rich in values (99K WAV sound)." She cited Dole's commitment to appointing more conservative judges, and to encourage the entertainment industry to reduce the amount of sex and violence in movies, television, and pop music.

"This is serious business," Mrs. Dole said. "We need to look at a man's record. We want your support and we need your support if we're going to beat Bill Clinton."

Dole, looking rested after a 10-day vacation in Bal Harbour, Florida, sat through his wife's speech and stood at the end to acknowledge the applause and standing ovation from the crowd.

As November's election nears, Dole seems to be taking advantage of his wife's popularity and appeal, and comparisons to Hillary Clinton will be inevitable. The two women -- both strong and accomplished -- are expected to play key roles in their husbands' bids for the presidency.

Mrs. Dole Leads Hometown Rally

Related Stories: