Elizabeth Dole As Political Savior?

By Bill Schneider/CNN Elizabeth Dole

WASHINGTON (July 19) -- Bob Dole had a good week this week. He was disciplined, he was focused and he stayed on message. He didn't joust with reporters, he didn't make off-the-cuff remarks and he didn't get himself into any more trouble.

To what does he owe this sudden and impressive turnaround? Was it an expensive new consultant? No, Dick Morris has not gone to work for Dole, at least not that we know of. A far more powerful force has taken over the Dole campaign.

It's Elizabeth to the rescue!

Remember the disastrous Dole interview with Katie Couric earlier this month? Elizabeth deftly tried to step in and save him. When Dole began to talk about the liberal elite espousing the Democratic line, Elizabeth interrupted and suggested they "talk about the book." (96K WAV sound)

When the issue of tobacco and smoking came up again this week, his wife was there to rescue him.

Bob Dole: "So it's just not good for you. It's bad for your health. Don't do it. And having said that..."

Elizabeth Dole: "That's it."

Bob Dole: "That's it." (96K WAV sound)

Shut up, she explained.

Time and again, Elizabeth provided focus. When CNN's Larry King asked what the key message was, Elizabeth did not miss a beat. "Very strong, I think," she said. "It's more opportunities. It's smaller government. It's stronger and safer families, Larry, if you wanted to just sum it up."

And on the economy:

Bob Dole: "They forget about the $15 billion stimulus package that we knocked down in the Congress."

Elizabeth Dole: "And the largest tax increase..."

Bob Dole: "And the largest tax increase..."

Elizabeth Dole: "...in the history of the United States."(96K WAV sound)

Dole the candidate doesn't like to talk about the character issue. It's not a problem for wife Elizabeth.

"This man is honest, trustworthy, a man of his word. And the kinds of comments coming from both sides of the aisle, that's something you really treasure," she said recently.

But isn't there a risk that voters will say Elizabeth's really the one in control?

While on the "Regis and Kathy Lee Show" recently, host Regis Philbin asked Elizabeth: "Does he handle the remote control?"

She replied, "He does."

Bob Dole added, "SHE handles the real control in our house."

Elizabeth Dole is an accomplished professional. She worked In the Johnson, Nixon and Reagan White Houses. She held two cabinet posts and she's on leave from her position as president of the American Red Cross.

So, will she have power and influence? Of course. All first ladies do. Nancy Reagan and Rosalyn Carter did, and how about the comparisons to Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Bob Dole seems a little sensitive about the subject.

"And when I'm elected, she will not be in charge of health care. Don't worry about it," Dole said. "Or in charge of anything else." He paused, and then added with a laugh, "I didn't say that."

Elizabeth knows how to turn the comparison to her husband's advantage.

"So as spouses all across America, I am going to be a supportive helpmate," Mrs. Dole told King.

But there's one big difference between Elizabeth Dole and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Unlike the first lady, Mrs. Dole does not have her own political agenda.

This week, Elizabeth Dole provided a steadying influence in her husband's campaign. She has given it focus and discipline. Could this the beginning of a turnaround for the Dole campaign?

Maybe. But at the very least, it's the political Play of the Week.

Dole's campaign operatives say that from now on, the candidate will emphasize several broadly based themes. They call them "message modules."

Ugh.

Dole's never liked being packaged or handled and that is his most appealing quality. But he kept getting in trouble. So now he's going to be more scripted and controlled.

Maybe his campaign will be better off without this spontaneous, bracing, brutally honest and direct Bob Dole of the past. His wife certainly thinks so. But you know, we're going to miss him.

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

Elizabeth Dole As Political Savior?

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