Bob Dole Follows Traits Of Walter Mondale

Not to Harry Truman, the Democratic president whose victory confounded both polls and the media pundits.

Instead Dole is being compared to Walter Mondale, the 1984 Democratic candidate who lost by a landslide to President Ronald Reagan.

Look at the similarities: A man who finds it difficult to get the crowds on their feet facing an election against a superb communicator. A candidate who is consistently behind in the polls and doesnt manage to get any single issue to resonate. An incumbent President who is seemingly unaffected by any charges.

Mondale lost 49 states to Reagan. Dole, in the last days of the campaign, is probably hoping to do better but is reportedly resigned to the thought of never occupying the White House.

 

Mondales chief speechwriter Marty Kaplan, writing in US News and World Report, has advice for Dole write a classy end to his long political career.

The advice will probably not be taken.

Dole, desperately trying to get American worked up on ethics charges against President Bill Clinton, is meandering over to the dubious campaign contributions in each speech.

Where is the outrage America? he asked at one angry stump speech, lashing out at the country and the liberal media.

The anger is only reinforcing the countrys image of Dole as a dour man, clutching at straws.

He started the campaign wanting to be considered a hero, then he wanted to be called a reformer, and now he is a crybaby, said a caller on C-span, the cable network devoted to covering Congress and politics.

Said Georgetown professor Stephen Wayne: Dole got caught in a Catch-22 situation. He has no issue to discuss and if he discusses the character issue, it reinforces his image as a nasty, grumpy, old man.