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Dole: Still an optimist, even in defeat

By TIMOTHY BURN

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 1996 (UPI) - Bob Dole conceded defeat late Tuesday after a long, hard-fought battle to oust President Clinton, but wished the winner well and told a rowdy crowd of supporters he remained the most optimistic man in America.

The Kansas Republican appeared relatively upbeat in his concession speech at the Renaissance Hotel, despite his loss and obvious fatigue following a marathon campaign run that took him thousands of miles across America in the last days of the race.

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Dole, who survived severe injuries during World War II and spent 35 years in Congress, said he was never more proud than he was as the GOP presidential nominee. Though several of his closest staffers and some in the audience wept as he spoke, neither Dole nor his wife, Elizabeth, shed tears during his brief speech.

The raucous audience erupted in applause and chants of ''thank you Bob'' and ''We want Bob'' as the Kansas Republican spoke. Dole appeared to enjoy the applause. At one point, he hushed one loud supporter, quipping, ''You're not going to get that tax cut if you don't be quiet'' -- a light reference to his much-touted campaign promise to cut Americans' taxes 15 percent.

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Dole thanked his wife, daughter Robin, his staff and the hundreds of campaign workers who helped him wage his underdog bid for the presidency. He also thanked his running mate Jack Kemp, who himself offered brief concession remarks from Costa Mesa, Calif.

''It's a lot more fun winning. It hurts to lose an election,'' Dole said as he thanked supporters, including the thousands of young people in the Republican Party. ''But stay involved and keep fighting the good fight because you are the ones who will make the 21st century the next American century.

''I know that because of your support, I am still the most optimistic man in America!'' said Dole. ''And I know that thousands of you have worked day and night and millions of you trusted Jack Kemp and me with your vote, and for that, we will always be grateful.''

Dole told the disappointed but still enthusiastic crowd of campaign workers and supporters that he had spoken to the president on the telephone to congratulate him on his re-election and ''wish him well,'' as a successful opponent, not an enemy.

As the crowd erupted in boos and catcalls at the mention of Clinton's name, Dole insisted he has always considered the president his opponent but not his enemy. ''I wish him well and I pledge my support in whatever advances the cause of a better America, because that's what the race was about in the first place, a better America as we go into the next century,'' Dole said.

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Throughout his campaign Dole criticized the president's ethical behavior. In the closing weeks of his campaign he stepped up his attacks on the president, calling him ''arrogant'' and accusing him of saying anything just to stay in office.

Dole thanked the media he often criticized during the campaign for not telling his side of the story. ''We have many friends in the media and they were there every day, every night, every day and every night as we flew around this country.''

Though the grueling presidential race was likely the last campaign for the former Senate majority leader, Dole, 73, assured his supporters he would dedicate his life to doing the right thing. Dole, acknowledging many have speculated about his future after politics, said, ''I'm going to sit back for a few days, and then I'm going to start standing up for what I think is right for America.''

In the past year, Dole tried unsuccessfully to cut into Clinton's lead, first by campaigning from the Senate, then leaving the Senate to demonstrate he was willing to give up his career to run for president. Dole then shifted gears by announcing the 15 percent tax cut plan many believed contradicted his reputation as a budget hawk. He made the surprise pick of Kemp as his running mate to help sell the plan.

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As the wary public appeared disinterested in his promise to cut taxes and balance the budget, Dole in the final few weeks lobbed a broadside volley at Clinton's character and professional ethics.

In the final week of the race, Dole announced he would campaign for four days non-stop, barnstorming the country to prove how important the election was and show that at 73, he was still tough as nails.

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