January 4, 2000
Web posted at: 6:13 p.m. EST (2313 GMT)

BEDFORD, New Hampshire (CNN) -- Former Republican presidential candidate Elizabeth Dole on Tuesday endorsed Texas Gov. George W. Bush for president, saying Bush would cut taxes, challenge the status quo and restore pride in the nation's institutions.

"At a time when civility has all but vanished from the political arena, he stands out as a leader who would much rather bridge our differences than exploit them," Dole said.

Dole, who quit the GOP presidential campaign in October due to an inability to raise funds, threw her support behind Bush at a joint appearance in Bedford.

"I am supporting George Bush for president because he has outlined a realistic, achievable plan to cut taxes, to guarantee the future of Social Security, yes, and to make it easier for low income families to move into the middle class," Dole said.

There was speculation that Dole was backing Bush in hopes of becoming his running mate if he wins the party's nomination, but published reports and political observers say no guarantees have been made.

Elizabeth Dole, left, stands with Texas Gov. George W. Bush, during a morning rally in Bedford, N.H.

Bush responded when asked about selecting Dole as a vice presidential candidate by saying: "First things first. It's important to have a strong woman like Elizabeth Dole standing by my side to help me win the primaries and the caucuses."

Dole also avoided any speculation over the vice presidential slot. "The governor has got to win the nomination and when he does the party is very fortunate to have a large number of very talented leaders with great experience from which he can choose," she said.

From New Hampshire, Dole and Bush traveled to Iowa, where Bush was endorsed by Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the state's most popular Republican politician, who said Bush was "a proven leader who inspires us with optimism and faith."

At a Des Moines airport rally, Dole said she and Bush shared positions on issues important to Iowans including support for ethanol subsidies and expanded trade opportunities for farmers.

"On a personal note, George Bush and I share a personal faith and a belief in the power of prayer," she added.

Dole couldn't compete with Bush financially

After listening to Dole's glowing endorsement, Bush kissed her on the cheek and called her "a leader in our country and a leader in our party."

Bush said Dole was an "articulate and capable woman," and referred to Dole's position as transportation secretary during the tenure of former president Ronald Reagan.

"Elizabeth, you have always said that you have been a lieutenant in Ronald Reagan's army. I am proud to have you as a general in mine," Bush said.

Despite her popularity, Dole abandoned her bid for the presidency before a vote was cast, citing her inability to compete with Bush's fund-raising machine, which has raised a record-setting $67 million. She said on CNN's "Larry King Live" that a candidate cannot "run on air" and that the emphasis on money has "really diminished the process."

"I've learned that the current political calendar and election laws favor those who get an early start and can tap into huge private fortunes or who have a pre-existing network of political supports," she said during an October 20 press conference announcing her withdrawal.

But those concerns did not prevent her from endorsing Bush, whom she compared to Reagan. She said Bush, like Reagan, "has shown a remarkable ability to attract support from voters who have not often flocked to the GOP."

Analyst: Endorsement unlikely to affect N.H. race

She called for the GOP to rally around "another western governor" in Bush, just as the party did in 1980 for Reagan, a former California governor.

The Bush campaign hopes that Dole's endorsement will attract more women, independents and first-time voters to Bush, whose campaign faces a critical first primary test in New Hampshire on February 1. The latest polls show Arizona Sen. John McCain leading Bush in New Hampshire by a margin of 36 percent to 33 percent.

But CNN political analyst Stuart Rothenberg said he doubted Dole's endorsement would have a major impact on the New Hampshire race.

"I don't think there are legions of Elizabeth Dole supporters who are going to go en masse to George W. Bush," he said. "John McCain's strength is his character, his message as a political outsider, his attack on special interests."

McCain was not surprised by Dole's endorsement.

"I've always said the establishment will be with Gov. Bush and anyone who wants the status quo certainly doesn't want to support John McCain," he said.

When Dole dropped out, some of her supporters moved to McCain's campaign. But Dole associates have long suspected that McCain's campaign was behind rumors that Dole was going to abandon her presidential bid before she actually dropped out. McCain's campaign consistently denied the rumors but they nonetheless hurt Dole's candidacy before she withdrew.

Conspicuously absent from the press conference was Dole's husband, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, who was the 1996 Republican presidential nominee. Mr. Dole remains close to McCain, who was a strong defender of Dole in 1996. The former senator has not endorsed anyone, but McCain advisers expect he will remain silent on the issue because of the possibility that his wife could fill the vice presidential slot if Bush wins the nomination.

Bush has strength with female voters

Bush has shown strength in recent presidential polls at attracting female voters, which has been a problem for Republican candidates in the past.

Dole said that two-thirds of the women voters in Texas, half its Hispanic voters and 30 percent of the state's African-American and Democratic voters had endorsed Bush's re-election as governor.

"In other words, those who know him best, admire him most," she said.

"One of the things that Mrs. Dole worked hard to do was to recruit new faces and new voices to the Republican Party, and that's exactly what I'm attempting to do myself," Bush said.

Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said Dole's support combined with Bush's ability to attract female voters shows that the Republican Party no longer has a so-called gender gap.

"If George Bush is the nominee, the gender gap becomes a Democratic problem -- they will have a real problem with men," Fleischer said.

Dole, who has served in two cabinet posts and as director of the American Red Cross, said Bush was also committed to improving the nation's education.

"Others may talk about educational reform," Dole said. "Governor Bush has delivered it. The Texas public school system, once among the nation's most troubled, is viewed today by educators as an emerging model of equity, progress and accountability."

Dole said Bush believes in preserving Social Security, supporting the U.S. military and improving the standard of living of the men and women who serve in the armed forces.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tuesday, January 4, 2000

• Bradley would 'crack down' on corporate tax breaks
• Stuart Rothenberg: Spotlight on California races
• Dole endorses Bush
• Hillary Clinton moving to new home
• Kennedy expected to endorse Gore
• Monica Lewinsky trying to pare down her body and her fame
• NHPrimary.com: McCain starts major New Hampshire push
• Des Moines Register: Gore again pledges support for abortion rights
• Fourth term for Greenspan
• Rep. Fowler to retire
• Mrs. Clinton rakes in soft money
• Twenty years after White House run, Anderson back on ballot
• Legislature names Musgrove new Mississippi governor
• Web vote leaves Democrats with red faces
• July 10 is new Tripp trial date
• At last, Musgrove to become Mississippi governor

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