With a target as tempting as President Clinton has become, former Sen. Bob Dole should be congratulated for his restraint in commenting on the president.
Most people in former Sen. Bob Dole's shoes would be fighting a powerful temptation to tell the American public ``I told you so.''
For all the criticism Dole endured about his acerbic wit and ``meanness,'' he is showing a lot of class and restraint when it comes to commenting on the situation in which President Clinton now finds himself.
In a televised morning show appearance this week, Dole acknowledged that Clinton had ``reached out'' to him in search of assistance or advice on his plight. Reports are that Clinton's request was more direct and involved seeking Dole's help in working with Republicans in Congress to avoid impeachment. Only someone like Clinton would be so presumptuous as to expect an opponent he attacked as viciously as he did Dole to now let bygones be bygones and come to his aid. Perhaps, given the gravity of his situation, the president didn't think it would hurt to ask.
Rather than taking his ample opportunity to criticize Clinton or at least make a few sarcastic remarks, Dole was gracious during the television interview and declined to reveal any details of the conversation he had with Clinton after returning from a recent mission to Kosovo. He indicated that he had made no pledges to help the president, but he was respectful and reserved in his comments.
Dole's mission on his television appearance was to promote his new book ``Great Political Wit: Laughing Almost All the Way to the White House.'' The self-deprecating title reflects the dry humor that Dole never managed to capitalize on when he was running for president in 1996. After a few incidents in which his humor fell flat or was misunderstood, Dole and his handlers apparently believed it would be better for the senator to keep his wit under wraps.
Kansans who know Dole confirm that he is an extremely intelligent and clever man. That's why it's great to see him appearing on television and gaining popularity and respect around the country. People not only seem to have a greater appreciation for his wit, but also see that they may have misjudged him as a political candidate.
Whether Dole decides to have any role in rescuing Clinton or the country remains to be seen. But the former Kansas senator must be looking better and better to Americans as they compare him to the presidential candidate they chose instead.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.