Bob Dole on Larry King Live last night

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

Did anyone watch it on CNN last night? I did, and even though it was DNC bashing week on the "librul" network, Bob Dole looked downright depressed and flat out didn't like what he was saying on TV. He was promptly put in his place several times by Max Cleland and George Mitchell, whether it was the fact that Kerry's military record is relevant or the fact that anyone who's done public service for 20 years has changed his mind more than once. I was hoping someone was going to ask Dole if he'd like them to examine his own record to see if he's flip-flopped. But the look on Dole's face indicated to me that he knew he was wrong. He knew he was bullshit, and he didn't like the idea that he had to get up and say it anyway for his party. Anyone else get that impression?

[nickinSTL]

1. when will they stop?

When will Dole and other TRUE Republicans stand up and say NO! to Bush and the neocons?

If Dole is that unhappy, and I wouldn't doubt it, I don't get why someone won't rise up against the neocon leadership and say ENOUGH.

The neocons are destroying the Republican party, IMO.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. I fully agree

I think the party is tearing in two, between the true conservatives and the evil neo-conservatives who are merely theocrats and hate/greedmongers.

[rkc3]

7. Theocrats is a good word.

It's funny to think Bush won't stand for a government based on religious factions in Iraq, but is not afraid to make sure we all know he and his god are in power here in the States.

[Frances]

2. I don't agree with Dole's political stances, but

he seems like a decent man. If all Republicans were like him, we could have honest debates on the issues.

[LTR]

3. Dole's a good guy

Maybe he realized he's just too old for all of this bullshit.

[rkc3]

5. Dole has surprised me recently.

With appearances on the Daily Show and some of his commentary earlier this week, he came off as a guy with a good sense of humor and perspective.

He had a tough run for the White House and was just overpowered, but I think against a lesser opponent and with the humor he shows now, he would have made a good run at President.

So it wouldn't surprise me if he popped off about the Bush administration in the near future. I don't think he wants to be counted among this group.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. I agree

And I don't think there'd be nearly this much backlash against a guy like Dole. I don't agree with many of his policies, but at least you can tell this guy would do what he really feels is right for our country, unlike the current asshole, who'll only do what's right for him, his rich friends, and his bastardized version of God.

[JI7]

6. Yeah, same with McCain

you can tell they don't believe it when they say something positive about bush. that's why they mostly joke around. as for bob dole (mccain also), he really does like john kerry personally and probably would think he would make a good president but it's not something he can say being part of the party he is.

[Gin]

10. who's larry King????? who's Bob Dole????? I have been watching CSPAN

and watching the convention without any talking heads telling me what I just heard...but after they have twisted the information.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

22. You're better off for it.

CNN has fucking sucked this week.

[olddem43]

12. Dole isn't running for anything anymore so

he can say whatever he likes.

[carolinayellowdog]

17. Not as long as Liddy holds office n/t

[KharmaTrain]

9. Excellent Analysis

I saw that interview and Dole looks like he'd rather party with Mitchell than argue with him. Actually, if anyone's been real quiet in his support or lack of this regime, it's been Dole. I can't think of seeing him saying anything positive about this regime beyond the general party talking points.

Methinks Dole has a lot of contempt for the Bush family...going back to the Raygun days, the nasty 88 primary (anyone remember that???) and the lack of support the Bush's gave Dole in '96. Also, as a veteran, Dole can't, in his heart of hearts, have any respect for Bunnypants for going AWOL compared to Kerry's service. Dole spent a year in a military hospital, he knows the hell war is and you can see he alway respects those who have faced danger like he has...like Kerry.

There were a bunch of Repugnican talking heads I wasn't seeing/hearing this week...especially the older, more moderate Repugnicans. Most the shills have been from the wingnut side of that corrupt party...looking to stir up trouble and then go running back into their hate radio studios and scream how Democrats are such evil people.

I've been getting a feeling as the week's progressed that the combination of Democratic Party unity and the lack of Bunnypants bashing has got Gillespie & company frustrated. Methinks there's a lot of Repugnicans tuning in this week and seeing this election isn't going to be the "slam dunk" they thought it would be and the hornet's nest that's been stirred up.

Yep, the Repugnicans want us to be as shrill and more so than they are. By acting restrained and positive we aren't playing into their slash & burn game...and this makes it hard for people like Dole to lie on TV and do so with a straight face and conscious. While it's still early, I'm beinging to see an implosion happening on the GOOP side that's being papered over right now, and that's fine with me. I'd rather overestimate my nemesis than be surprised. Methinks on Nov. 3 a lot of GOOPies will be waking up with the feeling their world totally caved in. And here's a toast to all of us who are working to make sure that happens!

[malatesta1137]

11. If Dole and McCain

are going along with the Neocons, they are just as bad, I have no sympathy for them at all. Once a Repug, always be a Repug.

[KPN08]

13. self delete

[wishlist]

14. Dole with Tim Russert talked about Nixon and CREEP being evil

Dole and George McGovern were on a show with Tim Russert last weekend and said they are good friends. Dole deplored the negative attack politics and admitted how unfairly the Repubs smeared McGovern who was a decorated war hero like Kerry. He obviously was ashamed of the Republican tactics when he had to discuss it in front of McGovern.

[swag]

23. Yeah, McGovern was praising Dole on Randi yesterday

They did a lot of good work together in the Senate.

[Must_B_Free]

15. I got that impression

[leetrisck]

16. It seemed like Dole was ill and he's appeared

to be like that the last couple of times I've seen him. I have very mixed emotions about him.

[stopbush]

18. It must really gall Dole & McCain to see how the R's defend

bushco at all costs to decency and for "the party." Neither of those guys ever got that kind of support in their runs for pres, and though they are both dyed-in-the-wool Rs, they are more decent, honest and intelligent than that sack-o-shit in the WH.

Maybe that's why the rwingnuts wouldn't defend them. After all, they don't invoke Jeebus in every other sentence.

[KansDem]

19. Whenever I read something like this, it reminds me of the movie"Chinatown"

The scene when John Huston says to Jack Nicholson:

Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.

I heard Bob Dole at the University of Kansas in May when Bill Clinton came and spoke as the first speaker of the Dole Institute of Politics lecture series. I actually enjoyed Mr. Dole's speech prior to Mr. Clinton (who was in his usual top form!), and wondered if as politicians enter their final period of life (if they last long enough), as senior statesmen they become more reflective and begin to exhibit some common ground with their one-time staunch adversaries.

I wonder if Bob Dole now has more in common with Jimmy Carter than Newt Gingrich.

[zbdent]

20. Did they ask him about his quote in April 1995 where he said

that "the next president should be a veteran"?

Obviously a dig at Clinton, but it applies (the next president definitely was NOT a veteran, no matter how you try to spin it!)

[JM]

21. There were three reasons why they did not go after Dole

1) Dole was kind enough as a visiting Repub not to completely shit in the Dem's living room. He was an opposition guest, and since he acted as a guest should, he was treated as a guest should.

2) Dole represents the old civil wing of the Repub party, where politicians could disagree politically and still be friends. He saw that go out the window when Jeffords switched. All the people assembled on Larry King's panel were essentially old-school, thus the respectful treatment.

3) The other assembled guests (Gergen?) Mitchell, and Cleland, and even Biden could tell Dole felt uncomfortable, and were too dignified to kick him when he was down. Thus the mutual admiration society.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong. My wife $ (pronounced Ka-Ching) tells me I am quite often.

JM