The American Spectator

Conservative Bob| 1.26.12 @ 4:52PM

TO see the reason Dole Lost the election all he has to do is stand in front of a mirror and open his eyes.
I seem to recall he was better at selling viagra than conservative ideals.

Larry| 1.26.12 @ 8:33PM

That's funny! Yeah, I'd forgotten that he was the spokesman for Viagra for a while. It is what he should have stuck to, instead of running for President.

Drek| 1.26.12 @ 8:36PM

Viagra sold itself.......... The little blue pill didn't need any help from Dole.

But I didn't know that Dole blamed Gingrich for his loss. What a tool.

So let's get this right, GHWB blames Gingrich for his loss, and Dole blames Gingrich for his loss.

I don't have any doubt that if Romney gains the nomination, and goes on to ignominious defeat, his voice too will swell the chorus of failed moderate nominees blaming Gingrich for their own weaknesses.

martin j smith| 1.26.12 @ 4:57PM

Republican establishment types either are a)stupid,b)do not have a clue or so currupt they would not know the truth if they saw it right in front of them. well I will add d) Really want to be loved so much by the Socialists that they have become Socialist pets. Thus I support Gingrich and Santorum.

RJ| 1.26.12 @ 5:04PM

Dole illustrates the problem with many Republicans who stay in DC for decades; they become part of the big government establishment that is the problem.

A friend in New Jersey asked me yesterday why the Republicans would select Newt Gingrich over Mitt Romney. Well, Michael Reagan's statement today says it all - Mitt voted for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale for President instead of Ronald Reagan. He also supported Paul Tsongas for President in the Democratic primary. Romney is no limited government conservative and now is a time when we really need one to address the rotten corruption in the federal government.

Drek| 1.26.12 @ 8:39PM

It's as Gingrich said of him, "he's the tax collector for the welfare state."

It needs to be well understood that Dole OPPOSED the whole idea of nationalizing the '94 Congressional races, and opposed the whole idea behind the Contract with America, key provisions of which Dole opposed as well.

Dole is but a not insignificant example of the establishment that must be overthrown.

Dixie Pixie| 1.26.12 @ 5:18PM

If a candidate wanted to convince the Republican voters that a candidate represents the Republican Elite interests against the TEA Party interests, one could not do any better than have the endorsement of Bob Dole.
To confirm that position without any doubt, all it would take is Bob Dole campaigning for Mittens Romney and against Newt Gingrich.

The very last support a candidate needs is a parade of the heads of the Republican Leadership actively supporting said candidate.
At that point the candidate might as well seek the support of the Democratic Leadership as well as a “Fusion” or “By-Party” candidate.

A Conservative Teacher| 1.26.12 @ 5:23PM

I read Dole's letter- and it isn't at all like you have characterized it. What he suggests is that Newt's 'I hate the media' attacks, wild ideas, one man show, and flipping positions eventually wears out his welcome and he becomes more unfavorable than favorable to voters.

I know you like him, and others like him- but what matters is whether independent and moderate voters will like him or grow tired of his act and instead vote for an Obama who looks sane, stable, and moderate in comparison.

This election has to be about Barack Obama- it can not be about Newt, Mitt, Cain, or Rick. We all must realize that our best option is 'generic Republican' for President, capturing the House and the Senate, replacing some Supreme Court justices, and in 4 to 8 years re-assess. Don't bet my children's future on a wild bet on Newt.

RJ| 1.26.12 @ 5:34PM

I understand your point that the GOP nominee must not be the issue and take attention away from Obama's record. However, the GOP has to stand for something. It is not enough to say that Obama is bad. An alternative vision for America is needed. Newt has his baggage and Romney lacks "the vision thing" just as George H.W. Bush did.

Larry| 1.26.12 @ 8:37PM

I've read the Dole letter, too, Teach. If there is anyone who shifted positions and never stood for anything, it was Bob Dole. Which is why he was taken to the cleaners by Clinton in 1996.

The GOP nominee is always going to be the issue, like it or not. Because the leftist media is going to make him (or her) the issue. Regardless of the candidate's views. Which is why the candidate's views during the election have to be clear and show something about the vision the person has about where the country is and where it needs to head. Newt is quite good at this, believe it or not. Which is why the Republican establishment and the Democrats both hate him. All the more reason at this point to vote for him.

Drek| 1.26.12 @ 8:40PM

Nobody was going to read the letter.

The whole idea was that the name BOB DOLE would come out, and would be known to come out against Gingrich.

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 1.26.12 @ 5:26PM

So Newt helped Bob Dole lose back in 1996 then? Ummm, I didn't know that!! Thanks Newt!! Bob Dole was a horrible Candidate for President, and a complete friggin' bore too!! Bob do us all a favor, and just go back to your retirement already!! I completely forgot all about you until I read that article, and I'm ready to forget about you all over again!! Aren't you late for your Tee times or something? "Bob Dole just sliced his Tee shot off into the woods"!! "Bob Dole's not going to get a par on this hole"!! "Bob Dole's very sad now"!! "Bob Dole needs to buy a new Driver now too"!! Bob Dole's old Driver is trying to undermine his Golf game"!! "It's not Bob Dole's fault, it's the Driver's fault"!!

Larry| 1.26.12 @ 8:39PM

Awesomely funny, Lullabys. Awesomely funny!! That is exactly how I would describe my own retirement. Stick to golf as a hobby.

albert constantine jr.| 1.26.12 @ 8:47PM

Back from some days in the field, eh? Welcome back.

Before I jump on the bash Dole bandwagon, please allow me to say a few things in his defense. While I find his habit of referring to himself in the third person a bit bizarre, and his shilling for Viagra not entirely dignified (though I think it was better than him lobbying Congress on behalf of drug companies following his Senate career), when I picture Mr. Dole, I still sometimes see a young Sgt. Dole in Italy in 1943, losing the use of his arm as a result of being wounded in action by German machine gun fire. I also remember him as a somewhat acerbic wit. Dole was selected to the 1976 VP slot with Ford to placate conservatives after the Reagan primary challenge. At that time, he was considered to be a stone age conservative. While the goal posts of how we define conservatism have moved and left Mr. Dole more of a big government moderate as we see him today. He was a poor presidential candidate in 1996; I still say the better man in that race didn’t win, though certainly that was not the only time this has occurred.

All that being said, when Mr. Dole jumps back into the partisan fray, that folks with differing views will remember his many flaws is not surprising. I just didn’t want his positive contributions to be forgotten.

Hobbes| 1.26.12 @ 5:29PM

“The people have had all the war, all the taxation, and all the military service they want.” Calvin Coolidge

Clint| 1.26.12 @ 6:17PM

Mr. Neutered, The Pillsbury DoughBoy Serves As Our Useful RINO-CINO Dupe To Extend The Campaign, Deny The Ruling Elites' RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney Enough Delegates And Head To A Brokered Convention.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In Florida.

PCP Smoker| 1.26.12 @ 8:40PM

This Dole is hilarious. Always going off on some bs that is only possible in his mind.

steve| 1.27.12 @ 2:26PM

I bet Ann Coulter, though brave enough to read this article, is a coward at coming out and addressing the same thing as this article does. I am so freaking sick of reading Ann Coulter bashing Newt. She seriously needs to get a LIFE!