Politicians, left and right, pay tribute to Bob Dole
Bob Dole, who served for 25 years in the Senate and was the Republican Party's 1996 nominee for president, died early Sunday morning in his sleep, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced. He was 98.
Dole served as a senator from Kansas for 25 years and also ran for president in 1988 and vice president in 1976.
"I will always remember Bob's salute to my late dad at the Capitol, and now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service." former President George W. Bush wrote in a statement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In one of his last public appearances, Dole visited the Capitol Rotunda in 2018 to pay his respects to President George H. W. Bush, whose body was lying in state there. Dole's caretaker lifted him out of his wheelchair so he could salute with his left hand. According to his obituary in The New York Times, Dole permanently lost the use of his right hand after being wounded in World War II.
Bush also wrote that Dole "represented the finest of American values."
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) wrote on Twitter, "When I think of the greatest generation, I think of Senator Bob Dole." Dole was the last World War II veteran to run for president.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called Dole an "extraordinary soldier, a relentless legislator, and a faithful statesman."
Democrats also expressed their admiration for the long-serving Republican. "Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans," President Biden tweeted. "He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor." In a longer statement, Biden, who entered the Senate just four years after Dole, wrote, "I will miss my friend."
Former President Bill Clinton, who defeated Dole in the 1996 presidential election and later presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, tweeted that Dole's "example should inspire people today and for generations to come."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted that Dole "served his country with courage on the battlefield, and with dignity in the Senate."
As of Sunday afternoon, former President Donald Trump had not yet released a statement on Dole's death. Dole was one of the few old-guard Republicans to support Trump in 2016. After the 2020 election, Dole disputed Trump's claims that the election was stolen. In a July interview with USA Today, Dole said he remained a "Trumper" but that he was "sort of Trumped out."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 concert tours to see this winter
The Week Recommends Keep warm traveling the United States — and the world — to see these concerts
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Korean president vows to fight removal
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree and said he will not step down, despite impeachment efforts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published