Salute to a Political Giant
Legendary political figure Sen. Bob Dole passed away in his sleep yesterday at the age of 98, only 10 months after announcing he had stage 4 lung cancer.
He was the first presidential candidate I ever covered in Iowa, some time in the fall of 1979 before the January 21, 1980 Iowa presidential precinct caucuses. He had been Gerald Ford’s vice presidential running mate in 1976, but was far down the list in Iowa in 1980.
I recall meeting him and taking a number of photos during a session with farmers held at the Tama Livestock Auction barn near my hometown. He demonstrated a sharp wit and keen attention, maintaining sharp eye contact with everyone he met.
Undeterred by the 1980 loss, Dole ran for president twice more, and each time–in 1988 and 1996–he won Iowa’s caucus. Ultimately, he won the GOP nomination in 1996, before losing the general election to incumbent Bill Clinton. His Iowa caucus popularity led him to be called “President of Iowa”.
He was a mentor to Iowa’s Sen. Charles Grassley, who typically remains neutral in the caucuses but was a Dole supporter.
From military hero to respected lawmaker to presidential nominee…as noted by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in announcing his passing yesterday, he spent 79 years serving this country, from the time he enlisted in the military during World War II. A double Purple Heart recipient, Dole also received the Bronze Star with valor. Kansans elected him to the U.S. House and Senate, where he served a total of 35 years before stepping down to focus on that 1996 presidential run.
Another example of the Greatest Generation, who cheated death and then dedicated his life to public service. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Just two years ago, Congress unanimously passed a bill promoting Dole from captain to colonel for his military service. He said, characteristically, “I’ve had a great life and this is sort of icing on the cake. It’s not that I have to be a colonel; I was happy being a captain, and it pays the same.”
Rest In Peace, Senator Dole.
