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June 20th, 2008 by Elizabeth DoleOver the last few months, a few people in North Carolina have asked about the petty attacks my opponent has leveled against me during this campaign. The thing they mention most often has been the consistent focus on my husband Bob.
As you all know, my dear husband is not only the former Senator and Republican Leader from the state of Kansas, but also a cancer survivor and WWII hero. To say that I am proud of my husband’s many accomplishments and service to his country would be an incredible understatement.
Since Bob’s service in the Senate he’s worked with President Clinton on funding for scholarships for the families of 9/11 victims and raised money for historically black Bennett College in Greensboro. He’s teamed with George McGovern to feed the hungry throughout the world, spearheaded the effort to raise money for the WWII Memorial on the Mall in Washington and served with Donna Shalala on the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. He has truly touched the lives of the many thousands of Veterans with whom he visits in hospitals throughout the country.
This week an article titled “Hagan hits Dole for husband’s background” said “U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan is mocking her opponent’s background, telling incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole to go back to her husband’s state.”
The article also described local campaign parties where Hagan supporters will decorate ruby red slippers in a reference to “The Wizard of Oz” and Bob’s home state of Kansas.
But the attack against Bob that has troubled me the most came from her press release of April 25th. It attacked me for giving a floor speech commemorating my husband’s service. The Hagan campaign release claimed I was “interrupting consideration of the transportation bill to make a floor speech commemorating her husband’s first floor speech 39 years before.”
The Senate was in a period of “morning business” which allows Senators to speak about various issues and topics. My speech commemorating Bob’s service and the service of all veterans was on the anniversary of Bob’s injuries sustained on the battlefield during WWII. Bob spent 39 months in hospitals undergoing eight surgeries and rehabilitation, but lost the use of his right arm.
There was an important reason to commemorate Bob’s so called maiden speech, because it highlights the struggle of a group that Bob joined that fateful day, April 14, 1945, called Americans with Disabilities. The fact that he chose to talk about it is important. It was an opportunity for all of those in the U.S. Senate to think about disabilities and how they affect all Americans, not just people who undergo the kind of daily struggle that Bob faces. A day that a candidate for the Senate would want to mute a voice highlighting the struggle of these Americans is a sad one. As your Senator, I plan to take every opportunity to do what Bob did, which is to make certain that voice is heard.
An early encounter with my late mother best describes my husband and his experience. One morning he left his bedroom and went down to the kitchen in Salisbury where my mother was fixing breakfast. He had a towel draped over his shoulder.
“Mrs. Hanford,” he said, “I think you should see my problem.”Bob, that’s not a problem, it’s a badge of honor,” mother replied.
I believe the voters of North Carolina will be better served if my opponent spent her time and resources on the challenges we face as a state and nation – rather than launching personal attacks at a man who has served this nation so honorably.
Elizabeth
Tags: personal attacks
June 25th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
To both Senator Doles: As an American with a disability, and as a former intern for the current Senator Dole, you will always be two of my heros for being such vocal advocates for Americans with Disabilities, despite media efforts to give the other side for such laws as IDEA, the ADA and the Rehab Act of 1973. Sen. Hagan’s comments against a wonderful team who have dedicated their lives to service have no place in this campaign.
Keep up the fight!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
It goes without saying, state Sen. Kay Hagan doesn’t know what she is talking about and shouldn’t be running for Senate.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Sen.Kay Hagan should realize that “what goes around -
comes around”. New Yorkers don’t take kindly to her
comments. We are thinking about a response.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I find that Senator Mrs. Dole and her huband Bob getting attacked by blogger’s a “Badge of Courage,” rebublicans should never forget like elephants in the jungle.What we republican parent’s as a herd should do is form a circle around our young republicans and protect them with a stampede of votes against those restless tribes of Democrats and their village the call congress.I would like to give the first Tarzan yell calling us all to rally around our Flag as we are the ones in possession of it,not them…
July 12th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Too bad i didnt come across this blog before. Great stuff you got here. Thanks.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I was disappointed to hear that Kay Hagen has attacked Senator Dole for commemorating the anniversary of her husband’s (former Senator Bob Dole) first speech on the Senate floor. In April, I had the opportunity to greet and talk with Bob Dole at the WWII Memorial in Washington. Bob Dole was there to help escort members of an “Honor Flight” of WWII Veterans who were being flown there to see the Memorial. Apparently he does this quite frequently when he can.
Former Senator Dole is a true hero of the United States and more importantly an honorable man who overcame great adversity to lead a successful and fulfilling life. For Kay Hagen to attack this tribute by Elizabeth Dole is a low blow and seems to be a campaign tactic by the Democrats this year since Obama staffer Gen Wesley Clark who held mostly desk jobs during his Army career has attacked the service of Sen John McCain.
Hopefully, other Democrats will not take this strategy of attacking those who have given much and suffered much, when they themselves have not served, given little, and not suffered at all.
July 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Simply said Senator Elizabeth Dole is a class act. You are a wonderful role model for young women like me in this business, and for young women all over the world. God bless you and your family.
July 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Great info - keep up the great work.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Dear Senator Dole: I have long been a fan of yours. I watch you on the Senate floor via C-SPAN. You are not only a role model for young Americans, but an encouragement to seniors like myself who find the current lack of moral values, patriotism, professionalism and caring individuals, a heartbreaking and discouraging situation.
I am fortunate to know that our Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (Washington State, also has our veterans and energy as her top priorities. Please don’t get discouraged, WE NEED YOU. Many of us will see you “on the other side.” G. Marcie Jabbora, Spokane WA
July 28th, 2008 at 9:11 am
I am proud of all who have served our great country. My dad served in WWII.
Thank you and your husband for being such great patriots.
God Bless America.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Sticks and Stones. The records of you both speaks for themselves. In my personal opinion, those who “dish it out” and usually trying to take the spotlight for some imperfection or secret they don’t want others to know about or consider. In addition, you, Elizabeth, are not responsible for your husband’s actions, none of which I can see need to cause unnecessary concern. I also believe in “those who live in glass houses….! I appreciate a candidate who does not sling mud and come nearer in believing what that candidate says about the issues on which they focus.
That said, is there anything you can do about the high cost of medications for senior citizans on Medicare who can not afford to pay for brand name prescriptions? I have fallen into the so called “GAP” or “DoNut hole” and take numerous prescriptions, 6 of which have no generic and, if I continue to take them, as perscribed my my physicians, cost over $700.00/month. I have stopped taking all but one because I cannot afford them. They are medications I need to continue living and have began having problems because I have not been taking the medications. I have applied for assistance for one of the prescriptions but have not yet been informed if I am eligable. I have been unable to reach the makers of the other medications because they are careful to not provide their phone numbers or their web sites include everything except the prescription in question nor do they provide acontact method. I thank you, in advance, for any feedback or assistance you can offer.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
A lifelong Republican, I take pleasure in supporting candidates nationwide who adhere to things I consider important. It horrifies me that Ms Dole attacks her opponent for accepting support from Americans free of faith. Unless she can accept that patriots skeptical of superstition are her equal and just as American as the adherents of her own faith in dignity and rights, Ms Dole in unfit for office and for the sake of liberty and of America I must support her opponent this time.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
i am a proud democrat who is ashamed of the dnc coverage of kay hagan.the lies that have been told on mrs.dole is terrible.i will vote for mrs.dole in november.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I am an Independant, and I have been so since I was old enough to vote. I vote for who I am convinced is the most qualified for the position. On a commericial that I saw this morning on behalf of Mrs. Dole, it stated that Kay Hagan’s was fabricating Ms. Doles effectiveness as a Senator.
I went on the Internet to Congress.org and it is true that Ms. Dole is ranked 93rd out of the 100 US senators in effectiveness. Her overall score is 1/8th of the number one spot, and it is 2/3rd’s of the states other senator. According to the website, Ms Dole is one of the least powerful and influential Senators in the US.
Can Ms. Dole explain why her score is so low and why her ads state that Kay Hagan’s ad was wrong?
Dominic von Gross
SFC, US Army
September 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I wasn’t going to contribute to Kay Hagan’s campaign, but thanks to your smear campaign, I will. In fact, I just signed up for extra shifts so that I can contribute the maximum amount. Thanks for helping me make up mind!
October 30th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Senator Dole,
If Hagan did attend this fundraiser with the “Godless” group I thank you for stepping up to the plate and exposing her.
I will pray that the judge involved in this will be a strick constructionist.
November 1st, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Hang in there Mrs. Dole. Hagen came out swinging and slinging from the get go. Never heard of her until she started firing cannons at you. She needs to be put in her place. Also, she may claim ties to her church but what she votes for and stands for isn’t in the bible I read. Some claim the name of one they do not know. May God Bless you with victory come election day.