Commentary

Much has been written about the life of Sen. Bob Dole since his passing at age 98 on Sunday, but the story that everyone seems to miss is the one of America’s finicky voters.

Here was a man who came from modest means from Kansas, flyover country, who sacrificed his life in World War II, returning with wounds that made his right arm useless after a year of fighting blood clots and infection, still willing to serve his country.

He won a seat in the Kansas House in 1950, before winning seats in the U.S. House and later the Senate, where he was the majority leader 1985-1987 and again 1995-1996.

He was viewed as a deal-maker, who sought consensus with bipartisanship, legislating from the center.  A staunch conservative who focused on the deficit when considering spending.  One who wanted what was best for the country, not the party.

Believing the GOP was viewed as the party of big business, he was known for his concern for the “little guy,” low-income earners, seniors, the common man.

“Dole saw himself as a personification of the American ideal, proof positive that hard work and determination could lift someone from humble roots and carry him through adversity to sustained success,” noted Ben Domenech of The Federalist.

With that background of service, who better to serve our country as president?

Yet, America’s finicky voters didn’t see it that way.  In 1976, after being named President Gerald Ford’s running mate, voters passed him up in favor of Jimmy Carter, a relative unknown.

He ran for president in 1988, only to lose the nomination to George H. W. Bush after winning the Iowa caucus.

Dole finally won the Republican nomination in 1996, but despite his legacy of decency, dignity and patriotism, he lost to Bill Clinton, a man immersed in scandal.  The following year Clinton honored Dole with Presidential Medal of Freedom.

It has been said that the Senate is not the legislative body from which to launch a presidential campaign, referring to the 50 senators who have run for president since 1972 and lost. 

Yes, Barrack Obama won, but I contend that those finicky American voters, including Republicans – the ones who passed on Dole and his record of service – thought it would be endearing to have a black man win the U.S. presidency, despite his brief, meager record.

In 2016, those finicky voters had enough of Obama and passed on 16 GOP candidates (four senators) to elect a businessman, not a politician, Donald Trump.  Another man with baggage that the finicky voters chose to ignore.

Despite Trump’s impressive record of achievements, putting America first, those finicky voters seemed to tire of his controversial Tweets and bluster, viewing him as unpresidential.  In 2020, they mistakenly thought that the moderate Joe Biden would unite the country.

I don’t want to believe that Dole’s loss of the use of his right arm turned voters off, but I recall how Democrats never wanted Franklin D. Roosevelt seen or photographed in his wheelchair.

“History can be cruel to candidates for president who lose,” the Wall Street Journal stated, “but Bob Dole’s contributions to American life far exceeded his failed campaigns for the White House.”

Known for his humor and his references to himself in the third person, Dole once said in a debate, “I think the best thing going for Bob Dole is that Bob Dole keeps his word.”

Whatever the reason, it is unfortunate that America’s finicky voters didn’t give this dedicated American a chance to be their president.

May Bob Dole rest in peace.

Now, more than ever … may God continue to bless the United States of America.