Dole: The Reaction

Dole's Speech Gets Mixed Reviews

SAN DIEGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 16) -- Presidential nominee Robert Dole's acceptance speech -- billed as the make-or-break address of his lifetime -- earned mixed reviews. Perhaps unsurprisingly, those who back Dole thought he delivered an exceptional address, while those who disagree with his political agenda thought he was negative or unfocused.

"It came out as a better man for a better America," said Rep. Jon Christensen (R-Neb.), who watched the speech at a GOP gathering in Omaha. "He exudes with honesty, character and trust."

New Jersey Gov. Christie Todd Whitman said "Bob Dole laid out what the Republican Party is all about." But Democratic state chairman Tom Byrne said the hoopla over the speech has been exaggerated. "They are calling this a victory because Dole managed to smile during his speech," Byrne said. "They did do better than they did in Houston in 1992, but a good pep rally doesn't translate into 51 percent of the vote."

From Jackson Hole, Wyo., President Clinton said he didn't watch Dole's speech because he was on vacation and would "deal with all that" when he got home.

"I believe it was the best speech I have heard the old gentleman give," said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.). "It represented a real change from the campaign so far. It was a pretty tough speech. It sets the tone for the rest of the campaign."

"I believe Mrs. Dole gave him some speaking lessons overnight," said CBS reporter Bob Schieffer.

"It was a great speech, but you know I'm prejudiced," said Quineta Wyle, chairwoman of the Oklahoma state Republican Party. "What I liked about it was that when Dole spoke, you knew he had been there, he had lived it."

Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos told NBC's "Today Show" that Dole said "precious little" about how he would "take the country forward in the next four years." He called it "the most partisan, negative and divisive Republican speech since Barry Goldwater spoke in 1964."

"Dole has really created a lot of excitement," said close friend Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). "We've got more energy in our party than I've ever seen before."

Not all delegates were gushing, however. "I'm pretty disgusted with the shallowness of the convention," said Alaska delegate Dave Eichler. "It's like an Amway rally, with Dole Soap as the main product." Eichler was a Buchanan delegate who was not allowed to cast a vote for the former GOP candidate.

Illinois delegate Sheldon Marcus said Dole's speech pointed to the inclusiveness of the Republican Party. Illinois state Rep. Tom Ryder said the GOP nominee inspired the delegates.

Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar said Dole's delivery wasn't as slick as Clinton, but the GOP nominee is more sincere. The speech especially reached American families that need two incomes to get by, Edgar said.

Viewers in Dole's hometown of Russell, Kan., said the speech showed Dole's true characteristics as a warm and honest person. "I think he did a really good job letting people know who he is," said farmer Ken Stielow. "We believe if other people got to know him like we do, they'd vote for him."

Kansas delegates said the speech clearly drew the differences between Dole and Clinton and between Republicans and Democrats. "It was the second-best speech of the convention," said state Sen. Mike Harris, a delegate. "He was upstaged only by his wife. (Dole's speech) wasn't just fluff. There was a lot of meat to it."

Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) said Dole "spoke from his heart and he covered all the bases," adding, "I think this showed Bob Dole is what America needs. America deserves a better president."

"It was a politically schizophrenic speech," said Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne. "There seem to be two Bob Doles -- the Good Dole who makes libertarian-sounding speeches, and the Bad Dole who spent 30 years voting for tax increases and new federal programs. Will the real Dole please stand up?"

"I thought it was the best speech I've ever heard him give," said Sen. Connie Mack (R-Fla.). "I loved the inclusive part of the speech. With Jack Kemp on the ticket, we can take this campaign to every corner of every town in America."

"He had to make the speech of his lifetime, and he did," said Diane Tebelius, co-chairman of Dole's 8th Congressional District committee in Washington state. Her husband, Rob McCallum, Dole's Washington state chairman, agreed. "Dole needed to tell the nation what he believes and what he offers," Tebelius said. "He did all of that. I have never seen him better."

"Bob Dole's speech said a lot more about his past than about America's future. His speech tonight was one of missed opportunities," said Democratic party communications director David Eichenbaum. "Missing were any details of how we pay for a misguided economic plan that will balloon the deficit."

"The message was fuzzy," said Dan Hallin, a political scientist at the University of California, San Diego. "Dole argued that morals were more important than money, but the heart of the message was the offer of more money through tax cuts," he said.

Nevada alternate delegate Isabel Pfeifer said her favorite line from Dole's speech was the insistence that "it doesn't take a village to raise a child -- it takes a family." "That should be the theme of the entire Republican Party," Pfeifer said. "We need to restore the family in this country -- that's the fabric of the nation."

Dole's verdict on his own speech? "I thought it was all right. I liked it."

Dole: The Reaction

Dole's Speech Gets Mixed Reviews

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