Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 24, 1995 TAG: 9510240070
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Wilson said he would turn down any offer for the No. 2 spot on the Republican ticket.
Dole trumpeted Wilson's backing as a major boost for his effort nationally and in delegate-rich California. However, Wilson's own short-lived campaign exposed the governor's rocky standing with fellow Republicans back home.
Dole used the occasion to stress that, if nominated, he would vigorously compete for California's 54 electoral votes, won easily by Clinton in 1992.
``It will not be a repeat of what happened in 1992, when our party abandoned California,'' Dole said.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, Wilson had a not-so-veiled message to Republicans hoping that retired Gen. Colin Powell will enter the race for the GOP nomination.
``Bill Clinton is one tough political fighter and defeating him is going to be a war,'' Wilson said in the statement. ``... Bob Dole is clearly the best general to lead Republicans into battle against Bill Clinton.''
But Wilson never delivered those lines when he made his endorsement at Dole's campaign headquarters. Powell completed his book tour last week and plans to announce by Thanksgiving whether he will join the GOP field.
Dole and Wilson both called Powell a friend. But Dole suggested Powell's popularity might not stand up during the rigors of a campaign.
``I've always had the view that in politics, you have two times when you're very popular with the people: the day before you get in and the day you get out,'' Dole said.
Wilson is the 13th of the 30 Republican governors to back Dole. The Kansas senator has employed a classic front-runner's strategy in rounding up endorsements from major party leaders.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB