Dole casts herself as a consensus builder

By Mary Leonard, Globe Staff, February 9, 1999

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Elizabeth Dole, inching toward a presidential run, portrayed herself last night as a fresh and different Washington leader: one who could restore confidence and integrity in the White House, return civility to national politics, and build consensus where there is now "a cacophony of conflicting voices."

"I've spent most of my life trying to bring people together," Dole told a sellout audience of 1,200 at the annual dinner of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. "I have never confused civility with weakness, nor do I mistake the pursuit of consensus for surrender. Quite simply, I would rather bridge differences than exploit them."

The speech was Dole's first since she left her post as head of the American Red Cross Jan. 4 to "seriously consider" running for the Republican presidential nomination, and it was billed by aides in this first-in-the-nation primary state as a major political overture to a possible campaign.

Indeed, it not only touched on issues Dole would be likely to stress in a campaign -- improving public schools, strengthening the national defense, reducing illicit-drug use, and lowering taxes -- but it also articulated the theme that she, as a conservative in the mold of Ronald Reagan, has the common sense and moral character to bring optimism to Washington and restore trust in government.

"If there is one overriding theme to my 30-plus years in public life, it lies in placing service over politics, to try consensus before confrontation, and to count on the deep desire of my fellow countrymen to do what is right," Dole said. "In what is sometimes a cacophony of conflicting voices, I have tried to raise mine in a call to our better nature, always sure that America would respond."

Dole, 62, is a two-time Cabinet secretary and is married to former senator Bob Dole, the GOP's 1996 presidential candidate. She told reporters last night she is still "talking and listening" to supporters to determine if she will form a presidential exploratory committee. So far, she said, the response has been "very encouraging."

Though she has not formed an exploratory committee, Dole revealed that she is soliciting money and is talking to both political consultants and pollsters about working for her. "A number of people have called to volunteer," Dole said, "and money is coming in."

"Some checks have come in unsolicited, and there are some we solicited," Dole said, noting that the checks have been deposited in an office bank account but not under the auspices of any official campaign committee.

Not since former New York Representative Geraldine Ferraro was tapped for the second spot on the Democratic ticket in 1984 has a woman with high political ambitions generated as much interest in the country and excitement in the GOP. Polls among Republicans show she already has bolted to the top tier of Republican presidential hopefuls, and a survey last week by the Los Angeles Times has both Dole and Texas Governor George W. Bush beating Vice President Al Gore in head-to-head races.

Aides to Dole say they do not expect her to announce her intentions until next week at the earliest, after Dole assesses the political and financial support in New Hampshire. Today Dole will meet with nearly 100 backers at a breakfast in Bedford before returning to Washington.

"She doesn't want to run just to go through the motions," a senior Dole adviser said yesterday. "She wants to know that she can win."

To that end, Dole has opened an office in the Watergate complex, where she and her husband live. Later this week, Dole visits Texas, Bush's home territory. Over the weekend, she will be in Colorado and then travels to Iowa, where the first GOP caucuses will be held next year.

Dole, who has served as both Labor and Transportation secretary, has strong ties to the Republican establishment. Her message last night was that she could bridge the differences that frequently divide the GOP while sidestepping hot-button issues such as abortion, affirmative action, and school vouchers. "The country," she said, "needs leaders, not labels."

"Most Americans prefer solutions to sound bites," Dole said. "This makes us naturally suspicious of what I call either/or politics. . . . Us versus them."

Steve Duprey, New Hampshire's GOP chairman, said Dole gave a "good speech" that positioned her as an optimistic conservative. That is the right message for the times, he said.

"There is nothing like eight years without the White House to temper Republican ideology with pragmatism," Duprey said.