Former GOP Nominee Bob Dole Endorses….
- Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:11pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican presidential nominee and former Senate majority leader, announced Sunday that he will endorse former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to represent the GOP against Barack Obama in 2012. In a half-page ad in the Des Moines Register, whose editorial board announced Saturday their endorsement of Romney, Dole urged Iowa Republicans to vote for Romney in the critical January 3 caucus.
“A number of my friends are currently candidates seeking the GOP nomination. But the time has now come for us to decide who among them can defeat Barack Obama in 2012. I’ve made my decision, and I believe our best hope lies in Governor Mitt Romney,” Dole wrote.
“As President, Mitt Romney will succeed in turning this country around,” he wrote. “He rescued a flailing Winter Olympics when it was mired in financial scandal. He was an exceptional Governor of Massachusetts, who managed to both balance the state’s budget and cut taxes while dealing with an overwhelmingly Democratic state legislature.”
In 2008 Dole supported Romney’s competitor Arizona Senator John McCain who would go on to secure the nomination. ABC News notes that Romney came under criticism in 2008 when he said that Dole–who had written a letter to Rush Limbaugh in support of McCain–was “probably the last person I would have wanted to write a letter for me,” going on to compare Republicans who supported Bob Dole in 1996 to those supporting John McCain in 2008 because he is “the guy who’s the next line, he’s the inevitable choice.”
Romney would later clarify his marks , explaining that he wouldn’t have wanted Dole’s support if he was John McCain because it “reminds the American public that our selection at that time was seen by most as being one that went to the person who waited in line the longest, who deserved the nomination, who’d been in the Senate the longest, and that I don’t believe will be a successful strategy in this process.”
Dole was Senate majority leader at the same time that Romney’s current 2012 rival Newt Gingrich was speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Reuters reports that the two Republican congressional leaders were often at odds, “with Dole often frustrated by Gingrich’s firebrand personality.”
Dole finished first in the Iowa Republican primary caucus in 1988 and 1996.
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Comments (178)
PJL
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 12:37amWoot! Mitt”s the man.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 12:12amRINOs run in herds…
Report Post »What_Did_I_Miss
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 1:00amThis whole damn thing is going to end up with us having to choose the lesser of two bad evils. I am sick and tired of it.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot01
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 3:38amNope You don’t have to choose evil.
You can support Ron Paul. He is not evil. He will restore America and the constitutional limitations on government. You can trust TRUTH, JUSTICE and the American Way to come back in his hands, his integrity is without compare and his loyalty proven.
WAKE UP!!
Report Post »Ming The Merciless
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 4:04amYup – Ron Paul all the way!
RON PAUL 2012!
Report Post »ron2win
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 5:56am@DrSavage
Report Post »No way doc.I am a balls to the wall, right wing radical with a couple of insane apples hanging on the outer edges of the family tree.I have to tell you there are some things Mr.Paul says that truly scare ME.His “what me worry” comments on Iran getting nuke capability,Is the equivalent of letting the family five year old child prodigy wander aimlessly around the college chemistry lab and saying don’t pay him no mind,he’s just curious.
wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 6:18am@Ron2Win: Actually it is more like a room full of politicians, each one strapped full of hand-grenades. Enter the JOKER, and he is asking for JUST ONE…
Report Post »PGMike
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 11:02amLesser of two evils? Mitt Romney is not Obama light. Mitt Romney wants lower taxes, less regulation, more economic freedom, secure borders, no national health care mandate, strong national defense and many,many other conservative thigns. He will present a stark contrast to BHO in a general election.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 11:57amLibertarians are idiotic loons, just as well have a big government guy in who wants to enslave us all, as some no government guy who wants anarchy.
Report Post »Roaran
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 4:06pm@Swampy
You must hate our founders then. Wake up buddy, our founders used to call themselves ‘Liberals’. It used to mean a lot of good things, and today the closest thing you can get is Libertarian. Conservatives and Libertarians have a lot in common. But Conservatives go wrong when they want to force their social agenda onto others. You may have good ideas, but they are destroyed when you have to use force.
Report Post »recoveringneocon
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:50pmDarn, I forgot about voting for him. One more time I held my nose. Thanks Blaze
Report Post »“We Will Hold Our Nose No More”
C-Delta Conductor
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:45pmBob Dole: Proof that moderates LOSE!
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:28pmIs being endorsed by Bob Dole, a good thing? This man wasn’t relevant, even when he himself was running for president.
Report Post »coindexter
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:34pmawesome…now we know whom NOT to vote for.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:22pmI like Bob Dole; got to know him years back as he helped the WWII monument in D.C. get built. But, he‘s wrong on this one and perhaps doesn’t even know he’s playing the ultimate repub establishment part. Oh well. At least he didn’t say Ron Paul.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:29pmPaul won’t get any endorsements from the Establishment. I love it.
Report Post »coindexter
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:36pmthe audience in the photo looks totally bored…
Report Post »Scottsman
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:52pmI like Bob Dole too. But he plays the popularity contest with the Ken and Barbie candidates. Too bad he didn’t endorse Ron Paul. But maybe it‘s better that he didn’t.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:55pm@Scottsman….It’s better
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 10:04pmTron
Report Post »You should change your name to Trollinginthemorning. Your a real disappointment.
RedinLouisville
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:10pmAnother reason not to vote romney. Thanks bob.
Report Post »satman40
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 2:01amAgreed
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:10pmOh, great! Bob “Dull” LOST! And we should listen to HIM as someone to recommend a WINNER? C’mon!
Report Post »TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:53pmBob Dole is still alive?
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:10amBob Dole LIVES!
Report Post »Impenitent
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:43pmnow will Romney get to do a Viagra commercial?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:49pmA dino endorses a rino
Report Post »ZomBrad
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:43pmHmmm…..Clinton beats Bush…..Clinton runs against Dole and wins…..
Obama beats Bush….Obama may be running against a guy endorsed by Dole…
Is this some kind of pattern?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:10pmBush?
Report Post »Sumrknght
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:54pmObama beat MCCAIN. Which… Mitt here will be just as big of a rino and about as excitement worthy as McCain.
In the whole field… not a whole lot going on there. Lord please don’t let Glen Beck be right – and have Obama elected AGAIN. Ya know – I’ve been keeping an eye on Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma. When a guy from Nebraska LIKES someone from Oklahoma (sorry, years and years of conditioning from Tom Osborne vs Barry Switzer football games!) ya KNOW this guy has to be doing SOMETHING right. Can we start a national draft for President? Sorry Senator, we know you don’t want to run – but your country NEEDS you? C’mon the guy is even a Doctor – who better to TRULY iron out the health care mess?
Report Post »taxpro4u03
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 1:40amlQQk for a hard RIGHT can -do – date when this fiasco of clowns is all over — yeppers, third party/independent I’m goin with Jeb or Marvin ;-) The letter designation doesn’t matter at all. Might could even be Wild Man Paterno…. Despite what ‘polls’ say (MSM – like votes, easily manipulated to appear for or against an agenda) forget the ‘populist’ party back in the day. For instance, a recent ‘poll’ indicates that 9 out of 10 flies think its a good idea to eat poop. While most thinking ‘people’ would concur, the sheeple and green bottle flies among them dissent…. :-)
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:47amPREDICTION: Romney beats Obama almost as quickly as Obama beat McCain…The American People, including most members of his own party, are ANGRY at Mr. Obama. He will NOT see a second term of office.
Report Post »purecolorartist
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:39pmAll I can remember was when Dole was debating he would blink on the average of 12 times every 10 seconds. I knew then that he didn’t have a chance…
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:48amSo, I wasn’t the only one to find that weird…
Report Post »spnelson
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:34pmThis is very important- having one old timer Republican loser support the loser to be of the 2012 election is vital. Anyone else see Obama getting a second term if he faces Romney? Mitt, Bob and John should all get together and leave the rest of us alone.
Report Post »seejanemom
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:37pm+1 bro.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:22amRomney SCARES Obama because he has been handed the ultimate platform: Obama lied to you, he broke every promise, took the country in the wrong direction, ruined the economy, and cost you your job. I am here to clean up the mess he made, and no I don’t need a Socialist Mop to do it…
Romney has credibility because he has cleaned up messes like this in the past. He fixed the Olympics Scandal, and he has turned around failing companies in the Private Sector. He is honest in his dealings and has no skeletons hidden in his closet…Obama does not stand a chance
Report Post »MOTHERLAND
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:33pmRomney will be the Nominee and will be the president of the United States he knows Economics and will create jobs. he has the values and issues. He understand what we need and doesn’t bankrupt America like Obama.
Report Post »SychinLegacy
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:24pmThat’s like saying getting stabbed in the chest 15 times is better than getting stabbed in the chest 20 times….
Romney is as progressive as Obama.
Report Post »Scottsman
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:54pmYou could say the same thing about Bachmann/Santorum.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot01
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 3:48amOK time to take your meds and go back to your shoebox in the basement.
Good Lord, WAKE UP!!!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 6:59amRomney is an excellent politician in that he believes in representing the will of his CONSTITUENTS (the voters). In Massachusettes that meant providing them with Universal Healthcare–that is what they ASKED for, that is what he GAVE them, and it worked.
As President, Romney will do what the American People ASK him to do…in this case that means (1) Fix the Economy, and (2) Create Jobs…That is how representative government WORKS…
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:32pmElectrolux Vacuum Cleaner endorses Frankenstein.
I’m flattered says Frank from his windmill hideout.
We’re all doomed.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:01amDon’t be such a drama queen…Frank would make a GREAT President!
Report Post »4X4in
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:28pmPlease gimme someone to vote for!
Report Post »seejanemom
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:34pmAmen, bro.
Amen to that.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot01
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 3:52amIf you want to get rid of Obama, we only have one choice. Ron Paul.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:28pmI think I’m just going to vote for the best looking President.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:03amInteresting Criteria for selecting the most POWERFUL position in America…so…you are going with Romney too?
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:28pmMy thinking is that this year endorsements are counterproductive. There is so much hostility toward established politicians and the elites that an endorsement might cause a revulsion for the one endorsed. It won’t make people like the endorsee, and that‘s Romney’s biggest problem.
However, an endorsement for a candidate who is perceievd to be a longshot might turn some people around into givng him a shot if they like him already.
Report Post »Johnny916
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:22pmThis will be my first presidential election I would be voting in and I’m curious how different conservatives will this 2012 election. I’m going to make up a random list and see what candidates appeal to you more then the others. Since Barack Obama will likely get the nomination again this year what do you think of these “what if” scenarios where different candidates get the Republican nomination and challenged President Obama for office.
Barack Obama vs. Mitt Roney
Report Post »Barack Obama vs Ron Paul
Barack Obama vs.Newt Gingrich
Barack Obama vs. Michele Bachmann
Barack Obama vs. Rick Perry
13th Imam
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:36pmBarry Vs. the United States Constitution
Any of the four would be better for America
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:36pmBarack Obama vs. Mitt Roney – Obama crushes Mitt because of Romneycare.
Report Post »Barack Obama vs Ron Paul – Obama crushes Paul because Obama got Bin Laden.
Barack Obama vs.Newt Gingrich – Obama crushes the fat fascist boy that stole the cookie.
Barack Obama vs. Michele Bachmann – Never happen.
Barack Obama vs. Rick Perry – Obama crushes Perry because Perry can’t speak well.
Eliasim
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:38pmThey are guarantying Obama’s reelection.
Report Post »Scottsman
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:58pmPaul or Romney can beat Obama by a few % up to maybe 5%. The others are too close to the margin of error, except Bachmann. She is losing credibility on making factual statements during debates and Obama would destroy her.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:37amObama has the worst ratings of any President EVER. Any one of these candidates could crush him in the upcoming election for what he has done to the economy ALONE. Obama does not have a single accomplishment to show for all the hardship we have experienced during his time in office. He has failed through and through as a President and does not stand a chance of winning.
Romney will win this election because he has the good grace of the GOP for his endorcement of McCain in the last election. He has the full support of their political machine, and they will DESTROY anyone in the party that truly threatens the “Chosen One.”
Report Post »kaygee
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 7:42amRemember you people are not electing president only for usa but for whole world.so only mitt can bring peace and prosper.good luck.so choose carefully
Report Post »ConservativeCharlie
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:21pmGingrich is such a horrible candidate that a man was able to withstand water boarding, and still wouldnt change his mind on Gingrich. ha ha. Thanks for the link Liberty Minky. http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee
Report Post »dcart888
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:20pmHe‘s loved in Iowa so don’t knock it he won Iowa twice
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:17pmWhat will they all do when Jon Huntsman brings it on strong?
Report Post »seejanemom
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:32pmPack his a$$ in a styrofoam Chinese take-out box with a SPORK and ship him back to Utah by way of Beijing, I would hope.
Report Post »spnelson
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:37pmProbably look for the 4 Horsemen, cause the day Huntsman is actually more than an afterthought, we are done.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:16pmestablishment trying to hold on to power
Report Post »ConservativeCharlie
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:24pmcouldnt agree more, I dont think they will be able to do it this time, This is how determined the people are this time to have a candidate that we elect http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee
Report Post »Pouncing Porcupine
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:25pmI’m actually relieved. Bob Dole was a crap choice in ‘96,
and his endorsement of Romney probably/hopefully hurts Romney.
Thanks, “Bob”.
NEWT 2012
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:14pmSo !
Report Post »Glenn in Virginia
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:13pmWell, that settles it. It’s anybody but Mitt for me. Not that it was anything else before. All we need now is for John McCain and the Bushes to endorse him and I might throw up.
Report Post »Pouncing Porcupine
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:29pmI do hope that McCain endorses Romney.
Report Post »That would be the certain death of his candidacy.
Glenn in Virginia
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 10:45pmThe scary thing, Porcupine, is that we’ve still got one Bush left who might run.
I think I’d prefer Romney, in that case.
Since I‘ve said I’d prefer Kermit the Frog (think of the increased attractiveness of the First Lady, should HE win,) I guess I’d have to vote for Mitt, if he winds up the nominee.
Heck, perish the thought, but I’d have to vote for another Bush!
Oh, Lord, save us from THAT!
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 11:43pmI’d never vote for another Bush.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 1:51amCan you tell me what Bush really did that upsets you.. You seem to blame him for everything… wasn’t it true that the Democrats held the Senate and Congress the last couple of years of his administration?? Obama couldn’t spend money.. but those two entities sure did..(The Democrats) and also wasn’t it Barney Frank who caused the housing meltdown.. it certainly wasn’t Bush!! You people will find that when the dust settles and Obama is gone that it will take forever to fix our countries woes.. And you say anyone but Mitt.. for me that scares the hell out of me.. so if you wouldn’t vote for Mitt you would vote for Obama if they were the only two to vote for.. God help us!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 6:24amRomney is the GOP “Chosen One” everything you see in the media is a circus to gradually weed out any real competition, and nudge the public into accepting him as their candidate. Also, it looks like their VP Nominee is going to be Newt Geinrich.
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