Dole Campaigns In Bellevue

U.S. Sen. Bob Dole has wrapped up the Republican nomination for president, but he’d like to send a message to President Clinton by winning Washington state.

“I believe in the Republican Party. I believe we are the best hope for America,” Dole told a cheering crowd of more than 500 people here on Sunday.

The rally at the Winter Garden atrium in this affluent suburban city kicked off the Dole for President campaign in Washington, a state that voted for Clinton in the 1992.

Washington’s presidential primary this year is on Tuesday.

“Let’s see to it that this wonderful leader gets the 11 electoral votes of Washington state and send Bill Clinton back to Little Rock for good,” said Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., who introduced Dole at the rally.

The Kansas senator presented himself as the consensus candidate of the party, noting he has received the endorsements of other Republicans as they have dropped out of the race.

Still campaigning, however, is commentator Pat Buchanan, who plans a stop in Spokane today.

“Our political target is not one another; our political target is Bill Clinton,” said Dole, 72.