CALLING BOB DOLE

Far more significant for the country, Tumulty says, is the expected vacancy once Packwood forfeits the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Finance committee. "Every single important issue in the fall -- welfare reform, tax cuts, Medicare and Medicaid -- has to come through that committee. Senator Bill Roth of Delaware, the vice chairman, is a weak second. This leaves Bob Dole with three jobs: running for President, running the Senate, and running the Senate Finance Committee."