Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 11, 1995 TAG: 9504110126
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: TOPEKA, KAN. LENGTH: Medium
Reared in the Depression, wounded in World War II and seasoned in every decade since, the Kansas Republican said he alone among Republican candidates had the character and background to finish a populist revolution against big government.
Kicking off his third campaign for the presidency, Dole and his friends appeared relaxed and confident that the way ahead leads to the Republican nomination. A recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll showed Dole leading his next closest rival, Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, 46-13 percent.
At 71, Dole is the oldest candidate this year and would be the oldest president ever elected to a first term. Dole made his long life and experience a central theme.
``Tempered by adversity, seasoned by experience, mindful of the world as it is - yet confident it can be made better - I have come home to Kansas with a grateful heart to declare that I am a candidate for the president of the United States,'' he said to the cheers of about 3,000 supporters.
As he staked out a conservative footing to match his GOP competitors, he left room for a vision of a government that still helps people in need.
``While self-reliance is an essential part of the American character, so is the spirit of community that reaches out to those wounded in body and soul,'' said the man who lost the use of his right arm in World War II combat and then was helped by generous neighbors.
Though he talks about curbing the growth of government, he also helped write the Americans with Disabilities Act. Though he says he would end affirmative action in the federal government, he boasts of his long support for civil rights.
Dole signaled that he would match competitors as they rush to restrain a federal government many people have come to view as ``too large, too remote, too unresponsive and too undemocratic.''
Most notably, he endorsed the call for tax cuts this year, saying ``we can cut taxes and balance the budget.'' In the past, he has been skeptical of promises by younger, more conservative Republicans to cut taxes before the budget is balanced.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB