ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 18, 1995 TAG: 9512180108
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: The New York Times
Signaling a move toward a more moderate image, Sen. Bob Dole said Sunday he would not support an unconditional ban on abortion and hinted he might ask Gen. Colin Powell to be his vice-presidential running mate.
His statement on abortion is a reversal from his previous position favoring a constitutional amendment to ban the procedure. The desire for Powell on his ticket underscores Dole's need to broaden his appeal as the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination.
On NBC's ``Meet The Press,'' Dole also said he thought the American effort in Bosnia would fail, even though he just spent several days pushing a resolution through a reluctant Senate to support it.
On abortion, Dole noted that he had once supported a constitutional amendment banning the procedure and said, ``I would not do it again.''
A constitutional ban on abortion has been part of the Republican Party national platform since 1980.
Dole described himself as ``pro-life'' but said he would make exceptions if the life of the mother were at risk or in cases of rape or incest.
``I think there are other things we can do as far as parental notification,'' said Dole, who recently received the endorsement of Gov. Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, who favors abortion rights and has been mentioned as a possible vice-presidential running mate, although her abortion position has infuriated conservatives.
His reversal Sunday is likely to renew that anger. But with his poll numbers showing him leagues ahead of any other Republican contender, Dole appeared to be appealing to the broader base of his party and of the general electorate, both of which support abortion rights with some restrictions.
``I'm not trying to divide the party,'' Dole said Sunday. ``I want to multiply Republicans, not divide Republicans.''
Like Whitman, Powell favors abortion rights.
In hinting he might ask Powell to join the ticket, Dole said he thought the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had not slammed the door on running for vice president and would have a hard time turning down a request to serve his country.
Last month, when he took himself out of the presidential race, Powell said of the vice presidency, ``I have ruled it out.'' Asked why, he said, ``I think having come this far and made this decision, I need to move back into private life, find other things to use my energies and talents on and not keep the political pot boiling any more at this time.''
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB