Dole Picks Up A Farm Endorsement

By Bruce Morton/CNN

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 20) -- Citizen Bob Dole had a busy day. Arriving in a place famous for apple juice, Dole found a friendly crowd of farmers and their families, and picked up a Michigan Farm Bureau endorsement.

Talking mostly farm policy, Dole did find time for one joke about those FBI files, suggesting President Bill Clinton could just endorse Dole's policies and quit campaigning (224K WAV sound).

"I'll say Bob Dole's for this and I'll have a sign that says 'Clinton--Me Too' and that saves him a lot of travel," Dole said. "He can stay in Washington and he can have more time to read the FBI files."

Leaving the rally, Dole was stopped by a woman concerned that he would further alter his stand on the abortion issue (128K WAV sound).

"I want you to protect the babies," she said.

"I care about the babies, I'm worried about the babies too," Dole replied. "Check my record."

As Dole walked off, the woman said, "Don't waffle so much."

Dole retorted, "I don't waffle."

In fact, Dole's record is consistently anti-abortion. The fight within the GOP is over how to say that people with other views are welcome in the party. The Michigan stop wraps up a four-day campaign swing -- three in California -- during which events have been well planned and well advanced, and during which Dole has stuck to the themes he was supposed to emphasize.

The trip would get good marks among political consultants, and the candidate showed a discipline he hasn't alway displayed in the past.

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

Dole Picks Up A Farm Endorsement

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