July 1, 1999
Web posted at: 5:35 p.m. EDT (2135 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 30) -- Although the former American Red Cross president has been actively campaigning for months, Elizabeth Dole made it clear Wednesday she is running for U.S. president and announcing and upcoming formal announcement.

In an interview Wednesday, Dole said that while she still plans a formal declaration in the fall, she is a full-fledged presidential candidate.

"I'm in the race," Dole said. "I'm in it to win."

Dole formed a presidential exploratory committee on March 10, actively campaigning and raising money around the country. But the series of media interviews Wednesday marked the first time she has said she will definitely be a candidate.

Dole campaign spokesman Ari Fleischer said Dole is no longer just exploring. "She's running," he said.

Fleischer said Dole will report raising $3.4 million, including $2.7 million in the last three months. That second-quarter figure is second only to Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Fleischer said.

Fund-raising figures, however, will show that Bush has raised $36.2 million in the first half of 1999, a record-setting number that is nearly $7 million more than the entire GOP field have raised. And at least another GOP presidential contender, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, has raised more money than Dole overall.

Bush's double-digit record in contributions is matched by recent poll numbers that show him far ahead of Dole in surveys of Republican voters.

Bush has gained 13 points since early June, mostly at the expense of Dole, whose support among Republicans nationwide has dropped from 24 percent in May to 14 percent three weeks ago and just 8 percent on June 28.

Dole, who had been the only other GOP candidate besides Bush in double digits, is now in a four-way tie with Steve Forbes, Dan Quayle and John McCain for second place.

Dole downplays the gap between her campaign and Bush's, saying there is plenty of time left to catch the Texas governor.

"Look who's saying he can't lose -- the pundits," Dole said. "The same pundits who said Bill Clinton would have to resign after the Monica Lewinsky affair. The same pundits who said Bush's father could never lose after the Persian Gulf War."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday, June 30, 1999

• Starr still investigating, despite midnight expiration of IC statute
• Dole makes candidacy official
• From Watergate to Whitewater: History of the independent counsel
• Hubbell pleads guilty as part of deal with Starr
• Energy Department audit finds problems at Livermore lab
• McCain pushes campaign finance reform
• Clinton says Medicare plan affordable
• Holbrooke nomination clears Senate hurdle
• Trial of Gore friend for alleged campaign violations nears end
• Bush has raised whopping $36.2 million
•CBO's surplus estimate below Clinton's, sources say
• Babbitt called before grand jury in Indian casino case
• House passes bill to restrict teen abortions
• White House-Congress compromise on Y2K bill jeopardized
• Congress questions military anthrax vaccine program
• New Hampshire may move '2000' primary to 1999
• Pols woo farmers for their votes
• Bradley raises $200,000 at fundraiser
• Gay ambassador sworn in
• Bush calls on Hollywood to help bring 'responsibility era'

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