Do the Right Thing, Mr. Gore
By Bob Dole
Saturday , November 11, 2000 ; Page A29
It was a close election, but it's over.
Gerald Ford had narrowly lost his bid for the White House in 1976. A few changed votes in a couple of key states would have reversed the outcome. "Let's challenge it," many senior staffers
urged the president. For others, it was a close call whether to demand a recount. But not for Gerald Ford. The quiet man from Grand Rapids would have none of it. He did not believe the country
should have to go through a recount. America needed to get on with the business of setting up a new administration. We had already been through Watergate. It was time to set politics aside. It
was time to let Jimmy Carter begin planning for the future. And like so many other times, Gerald Ford was right.
I was proud to be Gerald Ford's running mate in 1976. Proud to stand with such a good man. It took a while, but I was proud of Gerald Ford when he did the right thing by not contesting the
election.
Twenty-four years later, America faces a similar situation. A close election has just been concluded with George W. Bush holding a narrow lead over Vice President Al Gore. Now, we have had
two recounts confirming the governor's lead in the crucial state of Florida, but it seems the Gore campaign is choosing to ignore the clear precedent set by Richard Nixon in 1960 and Gerald Ford
in 1976. Rather than bring the country together, they are making every effort to keep the nation divided for weeks with recounts, lawsuits and endless politicization of the election.
The American people deserve better. And the Gore campaign knows it. As someone who could have become vice president in 1976, I know firsthand how difficult it is to accept defeat. I urge Al
Gore to put his country's agenda ahead of his agenda; to put the people's interests before his personal interests. There are several good reasons for this.
First, this is bad for the electoral process. America has just endured the longest presidential campaign in its history. In the old days, campaigns lasted a few months. Today, they last two years. And
two years is enough. The American people have spoken.
Second, this is bad for the people. By dragging out the process the Gore campaign risks alienating even more Americans. Participation in our democracy continues to decline. More and more
people are turned off by politics and are tuning out of elections. It is precisely this type of politicization that continues to disenchant people. They want leadership, not lawsuits. They need someone
committed to what is good for the country, not what is good for a post election campaign.
Third, this is bad for the country. We need to get on with the business of the nation. The new president-elect must begin planning his administration. He must prepare a budget and begin selecting
a cabinet. He must begin meeting with world leaders and a Congress already bitterly divided. A smooth transition will help to ensure a successful presidency and a more secure and prosperous
nation for the next four years.
Finally, this is not good for Al Gore. History looks approvingly upon the examples set by Richard Nixon in 1960, Hubert Humphrey in 1968 and Gerald Ford in 1976. It will not look kindly on
the first presidential candidate to challenge his election defeat in the courts. The presidency should be won through inspiration, not litigation.
I have served with Al Gore in the Senate. He is a good man who is on the verge of making a big mistake. One that will not serve him, his party or the country very well. Allowing the vote to stand
may not be the easy thing to do, but it is the right thing to do.
Vice President Gore could allay the growing fears and cynicism by clearly stating now that he will abide by the final Florida tally after all foreign absentee ballots are counted, presumably on
Friday, Nov. 17.
Former senator Dole was the Republican presidential nominee in 1996.
http://washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A64108-2000Nov10?language=printer
By Bob Dole
Saturday , November 11, 2000 ; Page A29
It was a close election, but it's over.
Gerald Ford had narrowly lost his bid for the White House in 1976. A few changed votes in a couple of key states would have reversed the outcome. "Let's challenge it," many senior staffers
urged the president. For others, it was a close call whether to demand a recount. But not for Gerald Ford. The quiet man from Grand Rapids would have none of it. He did not believe the country
should have to go through a recount. America needed to get on with the business of setting up a new administration. We had already been through Watergate. It was time to set politics aside. It
was time to let Jimmy Carter begin planning for the future. And like so many other times, Gerald Ford was right.
I was proud to be Gerald Ford's running mate in 1976. Proud to stand with such a good man. It took a while, but I was proud of Gerald Ford when he did the right thing by not contesting the
election.
Twenty-four years later, America faces a similar situation. A close election has just been concluded with George W. Bush holding a narrow lead over Vice President Al Gore. Now, we have had
two recounts confirming the governor's lead in the crucial state of Florida, but it seems the Gore campaign is choosing to ignore the clear precedent set by Richard Nixon in 1960 and Gerald Ford
in 1976. Rather than bring the country together, they are making every effort to keep the nation divided for weeks with recounts, lawsuits and endless politicization of the election.
The American people deserve better. And the Gore campaign knows it. As someone who could have become vice president in 1976, I know firsthand how difficult it is to accept defeat. I urge Al
Gore to put his country's agenda ahead of his agenda; to put the people's interests before his personal interests. There are several good reasons for this.
First, this is bad for the electoral process. America has just endured the longest presidential campaign in its history. In the old days, campaigns lasted a few months. Today, they last two years. And
two years is enough. The American people have spoken.
Second, this is bad for the people. By dragging out the process the Gore campaign risks alienating even more Americans. Participation in our democracy continues to decline. More and more
people are turned off by politics and are tuning out of elections. It is precisely this type of politicization that continues to disenchant people. They want leadership, not lawsuits. They need someone
committed to what is good for the country, not what is good for a post election campaign.
Third, this is bad for the country. We need to get on with the business of the nation. The new president-elect must begin planning his administration. He must prepare a budget and begin selecting
a cabinet. He must begin meeting with world leaders and a Congress already bitterly divided. A smooth transition will help to ensure a successful presidency and a more secure and prosperous
nation for the next four years.
Finally, this is not good for Al Gore. History looks approvingly upon the examples set by Richard Nixon in 1960, Hubert Humphrey in 1968 and Gerald Ford in 1976. It will not look kindly on
the first presidential candidate to challenge his election defeat in the courts. The presidency should be won through inspiration, not litigation.
I have served with Al Gore in the Senate. He is a good man who is on the verge of making a big mistake. One that will not serve him, his party or the country very well. Allowing the vote to stand
may not be the easy thing to do, but it is the right thing to do.
Vice President Gore could allay the growing fears and cynicism by clearly stating now that he will abide by the final Florida tally after all foreign absentee ballots are counted, presumably on
Friday, Nov. 17.
Former senator Dole was the Republican presidential nominee in 1996.
http://washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A64108-2000Nov10?language=printer