Bob Dole, a former US Senate majority chief and the GOP presidential nominee who failed to dam Invoice Clinton’s re-election in 1996, has died aged 98.
The Kansas native and former World Struggle II hero died in his sleep on Sunday morning, in accordance with an announcement by the charitable basis of his spouse, Elizabeth Dole. “At his demise, at age 98, he had served the USA of America for 79 years,” the muse stated.
It’s with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his demise, at age 98, he had served the USA of America faithfully for 79 years. Extra data coming quickly. #RememberingBobDole pic.twitter.com/57NtGfqtmL
— Elizabeth Dole Basis (@DoleFoundation) December 5, 2021
Dole introduced final February that he was battling superior lung most cancers. President Joe Biden, who served with Dole within the Senate for greater than 20 years, referred to as his former colleague “an American statesman like few in our historical past.” Biden added, “Bob was a person to be admired by Individuals. He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor.”
Dole represented Kansas within the Senate from 1969 by means of 1996 after beforehand serving within the US Home for eight years. He ran 3 times for president and was the vice-presidential working mate of then-President Gerald Ford, who did not win re-election in 1976.
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Though then 73, making him one of many oldest US presidential candidates in US historical past, it was Dole’s flip for the Republican nomination in 1996. Having been the top-ranking Republican within the Senate for 11 years, then a report, he took on then-President Clinton.
Clinton had been mired in scandals – although the general public didn’t but know that he was having an affair with 22-year-old White Home intern Monica Lewinsky – however the incumbent trounced Dole by greater than eight million votes and received 70% of the electoral votes.
Dole left school to affix the Military throughout World Struggle II. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Then a 21-year-old platoon chief, he was injured in Italy’s Apennine mountains simply weeks earlier than the warfare in Europe resulted in 1945. Whereas attempting to rescue his radioman, the second lieutenant was reduce down by German machine gun fireplace or a mortar, inflicting him to lose a kidney and be quickly paralyzed.
The Military wrote to Dole’s mother and father that his survival was “considerably questionable,” however he recovered after three years of therapy. Nevertheless, he completely misplaced use of his proper arm and by no means regained a lot of the sensation in his left arm. The politician carried a pen in his proper hand throughout public outings to maintain it from balling up and to discourage folks from attempting to shake it.
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Dole championed packages to assist make the world extra accessible for folks with disabilities. He helped cross the Individuals With Disabilities Act in 1990. His harm helped inspire him to get into politics. He received a seat within the Kansas Home of Representatives in 1950, at age 27, two years earlier than ending regulation college.
Dole additionally advocated fast growth of NATO to incorporate Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic whereas calling for a “agency safety relationship” with Russia. He was an ally of former US Protection Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who chaired his 1996 marketing campaign, and helped lead America’s help for the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo.
After leaving elected workplace, he campaigned as an advocate of navy veterans and raised cash for warfare memorials. Dole additionally starred in tv commercials, together with spots for Viagra. “Solely a Republican would suppose the perfect a part of Viagra is the truth that you can generate profits off of it,” he quipped in a humorous ebook on his political profession.
