THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610120012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
I think I've discovered the source of the lack in Bob Dole's lackluster campaign. Perhaps unwittingly, the man may have spent a lifetime struggling against his destiny.
The Oxford American Dictionary defines ``dole'' as ``a payment by a government to persons who are unable to find employment.'' Nothing Republican in that. Could the man be a congenital Democrat and unaware of it all his life?
If so, no wonder he seems so doleful. Living a life going against type must have exhausted him, which of course would be one of the reasons the campaign is in the doldrums.
Maybe he could infuse life into his boring, predictable effort to become president by looking more to the Oxford definition of his first name, Bob (``1. to make a jerky movement, to move quickly up and down. 2. to appear unexpectedly'').
But ultimately he's probably out of luck. His first name has negative implications as well. Take for example, a bobsled. Sounds exciting at first, yes, but look at where it goes: downhill all the way.
BILL CANDLER
Virginia Beach, Sept. 26, 1996 by CNB