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Jimsan: It's the no-other-choice alternative. First, it is close to impossible to win the presidential election mired in the daily minutiae of Senate politics--he has to position himself above it. By remaining in the Senate he would retain the image of a political middle manager--a reactionary rather than a proactive leader. It is hard to appear visionary leader while bogged down in the 'trivial' issues of "a billion here and a billion there". Second, running for President requires a full time commitment. Being stuck in Washington doesn't get you out to where the voters are. Third, this repositions Dole as a Washington outsider ("I am a Kansan".) This further defines his image as someone who is focussing on the problems of America rather than the problems within the beltway battle line. Fourth, it shows that Dole actually can be decisive. He has the image of the great compromiser, which is okay for a Senator, but is weak for the leader of the free world. Finally, it is a no-lose situation for Dole. If he loses the election his political career is over anyway.

MADMAC: Allright! One more good 'ole boy out of office! Hurray! Anybody know exactly how much Ex-Senator Dole will be bringing home annually for his pension? I bet it's at least in the $200,000. range. A smart move to quit, makes him look more dedicated. I hope he loses, though. The conservative religious-right "family" value republicans are SCARY. Yeah, Clinton isn't the greatest, but at least he's not of the Republican camp (I'm an independent voter, by the by, I theoretically embrace the conservative ideals of the free marketplace and less government intrusion in the lives of the people). I would be probably consider myself a Republican if not for their current slant towards intrusive government... But I digress. Good move for Dole. I hope he loses.

brooklyn13: The move in itself is a wise one indeed. However outside the big picture--sitting on the frame--is the fact that will not change. Dole was a loser in '72 and has been a has been since, save for his Kansas seat. If the large consensus in '92 thought G. Bush to be out of touch how can those same and any others for that matter believe that Dole has an insight on how to lead us in a "politically correct" manner? Sorry Bob, but clever maneuvers are not quite gonna cut it.

Tantivy: Poor hapless Bob Dole.

Having been leapfrogged in prestige and power by the New Right (Newt et al.), Dole the Nixon protege is scratching his head and wondering why he can't simply claim the throne of his party...the one he's slaved away and paid dues for his whole career. These young whippersnappers and their big fancy Contract might upset the whole damn apple cart.

What Dole is risking, of course, is everything. He will be president now or he will retire. By my count, he has run for the highest office in the land at least 47 times...and he grows old quickly.

Even if he wanted it, he most likely won't even be able to reclaim his senate seat if he loses this election...he'll have lost prestige, become the weary broken-down loser that he secretly fears he has already become.

rjnerd: Unfortunately it might help a little bit given how embarrassing his congressional performace was, it is sad that us liberal sorts will be denied more examples of how ineffective he is.

mdulcey: Tough call. On the one hand, it signals that Dole is dedicated to the Presidential election. On the other hand, it means that he is desperate. On the one hand, it means that he'll have more time to campaign and be seen by the people. On the other hand, it means he'll be seen more by the people, and public image isn't Dole's strong point; more visibility may just mean more chances to shoot himself in the foot. On balance, I don't think it will make a lot of difference.

markevin: I think Mr. Dole's action speaks for itself - it proves that his only true interest is furthering his career, no matter what the cost. If serving the citizens of this country was truly his main concern, he would not be abandoning his duties as a Senator in hopes of climbing higher on the political ladder. Besides, it's the value system of his generation that is crippling this country.

chrisz: The resource Dole needs (besides the vision thing) is time, and leaving the Senate was a wise move, politically. We will miss him in the Senate, as well as others like Sen. Robert Byrd (D, West Virginia) who is also retiring this year. As for citizen Dole, the candidate, at least he's smiling (finally) and speaking of himself in first person.

millnchuck: There once was a fellow named Bob,
Whose sights were: a new kind of job;
He quit on command,
The one he'd in hand,
Chased the "two in the Bush" (the poor slob.)

Billzebub: Well, we all knew he'd have to run sometime, so it's no great surprise. Besides, Clinton won't let any significant legislation pass his desk anyway, so why not just hold off until January to get things done. I'm not worried about it. I believe most people would pick the first name they came to in the phone book, as opposed to Bill Clinton.

pauen: What I see is a lack of commitment to his job. If he wins, is he going to quit in 4 years to run again? If he can't handle being a Senator and running for president, maybe he shouldn't be president.

KMorrison: Yes, I think this was the smart thing to do. Once you decide what you want to be when you grow up, you need to focus on that. Maybe if Bob Dole doesn't win this year, he can devote himself to his wife's campaign, once she decided she wants to be President when whe grows up, instead of hubby's "behind every great man" woman.

KillerQ: I think that Dole leaving the senate will hurt his campaign. His leaving makes him look overconfident. If he doesn't win the election we will see the unemployed side of Dole.

PsYcHoDeLiC: The old coot's crazy. Now he'll lose.

CEASAR: I think that Bob Dole is taking a hell of a chance with his decision to leave the Senate. He is just going to shoot for presidency and roll the dice. If ole Bob fails in his attempt to become president, he will go back home. As this shows honor and dignaty, it just isn't wise. He should just stay in the Senate and keep rolling the dice.

Emo627: Hopefully, it will leave him enough time to concentrate on getting the pres. out of office.

Emo627: I really think its a sad state of affairs when someone like Clinton can change his spots to mimic the thoughts of the public and they buy into it. At least Bob Dole hasn't chased every skirt coming and going. He served his country in war and peace, politics be damned! He didn't protest against our boys. They served also, and were not treated as well as someone who crossed the ocean, and betrayed them by not loving them, standing by them.

Adair: I think Dole made a wise move. It gets him the media spotlight during somewhat of a lull in the campaign. It makes him appear more serious about the campaign. It gives him more personal time to do face-to-face campaigning across the country and since he can't afford high-cost advertising right now, that could be important. In the end, I don't think this will make or break his campaign, but I certainly don't think it will hurt.

tmatson: Bob Dole was asked if he prefers boxer shorts or briefs. Bob answered "Depends".

00007: I think that Bob is a great man. After all I will admit he is old, though he is not a jerk like Clinton. Clinton during Veitnam was not supporting America. Remember it's as simple as abc, anything butt Clinton!!

Meezo: Who the heck is Bob Dole?! I don't know but I hope Clinton don't win the Election.

darthur: I am a Bill Clinton supporter, if not a wildly enthusiastic one. I admire Bob Dole because he's a consensus builder and I think they are sorely needed in the Congress. For that reason I'm sorry to see him go. He's obviously put himself in a weaker position vis a vis the President, and though he'll be able to take his message to the people, he wont have the Senatorial trappings which in my mind form the strongest basis for his appeal.

tandreassen: Well well... One shouldn't have to resign to run another campaign...

meganc: The main message sent is that we've all admitted that a campaign is won or lost based on how well a candidate gets their face out to the public. Dole figured that working in the Senate -- albeit experience that might actually be relevant to carrying out the duties of the President -- is less important than wandering around the country, giving speeches, and creating negative campaign advertisements.

Michaeldi: I think that this was a very smart move of Dole. Because of him quitting the Senate, his approval rating has jumped around 5%. However, I don't think that he has much of a chance against Clinton, either. 5% isn't enough to win the race. I don't want to see Dole leave the Senate. He's a great Senator, but I'm not sure how well he would do as President.

Furie: I think it was a positive thing. After his announcement, he went up in the poles, I guess I'm not alone in this. It shows that he is devoting all his resources into the presidental election. Too often we see failed presidential candidates attempt to reclaim the respect of their home state. This is usually difficult because the people in that state feel betrayed. The feel like they've been used as a step on a ladder (they have) and after the failure of the candidate, they feel like second prize.

Sossity: I think Dole had to leave to campaign, effectively, and that says something possibly unflattering about the way elections and campaigns must be done in this country. If it weren't such a circus sideshow, no one would have to make the campaign a full-time job. This move may turn out poorly for Dole, because now he will be at center stage until November, and center stage is almost certainly not the best place for him as far as making nice to the public goes.

snapple: I think Bob Dole did the right thing. He couldn't dedicate the time necessary to campaign for President and work as a Senator for his constituents. Now, if only Bill Clinton would do the same, this country and perhaps, the world be a better place to live. I hope Bob Dole wins by a landslide! Clinton doesn't have the moral character to be president. At least Dole fought and gave a piece of himself for this country.