Dole seeks to energize N.H. campaign

By Jill Zuckman, Globe Staff, March 13, 1999

BEDFORD, N.H. -- Elizabeth Dole came to New Hampshire yesterday looking for momentum for her developing presidential campaign, but got an earful of political advice instead.

State Republican Party chairman Steve Duprey said Dole risks squandering the goodwill of local political activists unless she quickly revs up her effort here.

"She's late getting into the race. There's still enthusiasm for her potential candidacy, but other candidates are starting to take little jabs and point out that she isn't organized here yet," Duprey said. "She needs to get organized fast."

For weeks, one prominent party official said, the Dole organization couldn't even identify people that interested activists and voters could contact if they wanted to help.

"That's like throwing out liquid gold," one official said.

One apparent result was that yesterday's hastily arranged appearance -- including a word-for-word repeat of the speech she gave in Iowa Wednesday -- was marred by blocs of empty chairs in the room at the C.R. Sparks conference center. Dole aides, fearing a poor turnout, had made a last-minute plea to the state Republican committee to help turn out a crowd.

Meanwhile, Dole's leading potential rival, Texas Governor George W. Bush, has not visited the state and says he will not visit until the Texas Legislature has adjourned for the year on May 31. But an informal, underground network of supporters has sprung up to urge activists not to sign up with other candidates until a Bush organization forms.

"I've gotten calls from my politicos out there saying don't worry, he's coming, don't commit to anyone else," said Duprey, who is remaining neutral. "The goal of the Bush effort is to keep as many activists uncommitted till he gets in. I think that's succeeding."

Barbara J. Russell, the assistant Republican chair, said activists are anxious to pick a candidate and start working. Although Dole is not organized, Russell said she does have one advantage.

"She's been campaigning for her husband here for years and years and years," said Russell.

Yesterday, Dole urged her polite, noontime audience to help her raise money and to send suggestions to her Internet site:

http://www.edole2000.org.< "I want to hear from you and get your thoughts and concerns," she said. "And I'm certainly going to have to raise a lot of money by the end of the year."

In Austin, Bush's spokeswoman, Karen Hughes, said the governor is keeping his promise to the people of Texas by focusing on the biennial meeting of the Legislature before he visits New Hampshire or Iowa, the premier early campaign states.

"He knows he will be late, but he promises that he will work hard to overcome his late start once he gets there," Hughes said.

Sources said Bush has already begun courting the state's two congressmen, Charles Bass and John E. Sununu, and US Senator Judd Gregg -- all of whom have extensive political contacts and organizations likely to boost any presidential candidate.

At the Dole event yesterday, friends of the former director of the American Red Cross said they have been inundated by phone calls from people who would like to help her campaign.

Alec J. Koromilas, a Dover attorney, said his secretary threatened to quit because his phone would not stop ringing after Dole stepped down from the Red Cross. He said people from across the state were calling to offer support.

With a year to go until the primary, some Republicans believe that Bush and Dole have plenty of time to meet with people around the state and set up strong organizations.

"Their name I.D. is such that they're not late at all," said Hugh Gregg, the former governor. While many activists have already committed to other candidates, Gregg said, Bush still has plenty of friends and supporters through his father, and Dole still has contacts from the presidential campaign of her husband, former senator Bob Dole.

"Most of them haven't gone anywhere," said Gregg.

Nevertheless, Dan Wensley, the Strafford County Republican chairman, said Bush and Dole should not forget the true nature of the state's presidential political scene.

"Certainly, New Hampshire is unique in that we do expect to a certain extent, politicians who ask for our support to demonstrate their willingness to come and engage us to one degree or another," said Wensley.