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When he ran in 1988, Dole favored the Federal Government's "stimulating school systems to improve what goes on in our classrooms." Today he proposes abolishing four Cabinet agencies, including the Education Department. Seven years ago, Dole spoke about the need to "provide care and assistance for the hungry and the homeless and the disabled.'' Nothing resembling that was heard last week. Instead, Dole adopted a Dan Quayle-like concern for restoring "traditional values." In a neat "twofer," Dole attacked Hollywood for promoting "casual violence and even more casual sex" and the government in Washington for undermining "the moral code we nurture in our churches and synagogues."
Perhaps Dole's greatest change involves taxes. When he ran in '88--and indeed throughout his career--Dole identified the "federal budget deficit" as the "single greatest threat to a prosperous and dynamic America." He spoke about cutting taxes (as every politician does), but he lost the crucial '88 New Hampshire primary when he refused to sign the pledge that George Bush later evolved into "Read my lips; no new taxes." Last week Dole surrendered without a fight when he signed the very same kind of pledge he responsibly refrained from endorsing seven years ago.
These days Dole calls himself "warm and cuddly.'' If his legendary meanspiritedness remains submerged, says Dole, it will be because he is finally "relaxed" about his ambition. It may also be that Dole has simply resigned himself to following Bush's disciplined determination to do and say "whatever it takes'' to win. And that, in turn, may reflect Dole's growing comfort with his old nemesis' cynical view of the entire punishing enterprise. "The people are wonderful at understanding when a campaign ends and the world of business begins," Bush said after he won in 1988. Forget about what he'd said and done to triumph, Bush explained. The campaign isn't a guide to governance: "It's history. It doesn't mean anything anymore.''