Dole Navigates The Issues

By Candy Crowley/CNN

WASHINGTON (April 30) -- Sen. Robert Dole has drawn another line across Pennsylvania Avenue, challenging President Bill Clinton to sign a bill that would limit damage awards in lawsuits over faulty products. Dole says frivolous suits are stifling research, driving up costs and scaring companies out of even providing materials needed for medical devices.

Dole charges that Clinton is threatening to veto the measure because trial lawyers have stuffed millions of dollars into Clinton's re-election coffers.

"By signing the bill the president can demonstrate that he will not be strong-armed," Dole said. "The president can leave his trial lawyer friends in their Gucci loafers and walk a mile in the shoes of the average American (160K WAV sound)."

Like many issues these days, the substance of product liability reform is inseparable from the politics of it. Nobody thinks it's coincidence that business groups took their ads on this subject to the Midwest battlegrounds of Michigan and Ohio where, by the way, Dole cannot afford to advertise at the moment.

Democrats say the big money behind ads like this is tobacco money. In fact, Democrats say the whole reason Dole supports this bill is that the tobacco industry gives money to the Republican Party.

While he struggles to take the daily agenda away from Democrats, the majority leader is ignoring the latest tempest within the party: abortion. California Gov. Pete Wilson has joined a growing list of Dole supporters who want the Republican Party to soften its anti-abortion plank.

"I don't think it reflects the views of the majority of Republicans nationwide," Wilson said. "It seems to me that the answer is that for those of us who are conscientious pro-choice or those who are conscientious pro-life we should be able to come to a common ground (192K WAV sound)."

It may sound reasonable, except that staunchly anti-abortion Republicans don't think there is common ground on this issue. And one in particular -- conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan -- could react badly if the plank is watered down.

Dole has an anti-abortion record, but the party struggle puts him in a tight spot. He does not want to alienate moderates inside or outside the party by being belligerent on the issue nor does he want to set off the prickly Buchanan by seeming too accommodating.

What's a candidate to do? It seems Dole is still trying to figure that out.

This story originally appeared on CNN's "Inside Politics."

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