The United States is losing one of its political figures. Former Senator Bob Dole died Sunday morning December 5, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced. “At his death, at the age of 98, he had served the United States faithfully for seventy-nine years”, said the Foundation, specifying that he had died ” in his sleep “. Bob Dole announced in 2018 that he was suffering from stage 4 lung cancer.
Shortly after the announcement of his death, President Joe Biden greeted a “American statesman as there are few”, “A war hero”, but also ” a friend “ having “A sense of honor and infallible integrity”.
“Senator Bob Dole was a great man who lived an extraordinary life in the service of America and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him”, also reacted the former vice-president, Mike Pence.
Thirty-six years in the Capitol
Born July 22, 1923, Robert Joseph Dole grew up in Russell, a small town in Kansas. Returning a medalist but seriously injured from the Second World War, he learned to walk again and regained control of his body, with the exception of his right arm. He dedicated the last years of his life to the cause of veterans.
He entered Congress in 1961, first as a representative, then as a senator from Kansas, beginning a 36-year parliamentary career. “He obtained both conservative victories and great advances bringing together the two parties”Mitch McConnell said on Sunday, calling him “Constant leader and master in legislative matters”.
He was married to Elizabeth Dole, who herself had a distinguished political career as Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, and Senator from North Carolina.
Three-time candidate for the Republican Party nomination for the White House, Bob Dole was dismissed by Ronald Reagan in 1980, then by George Bush Sr. in 1988, before winning in 1996. Outgoing President Bill Clinton s’ will however easily impose against this 73-year-old man, who seemed outdated in the era of television politics. Faced with young Clinton, representing baby boomers fed on pop music and pacifism, Bob Dole embodied the precepts of rural America before the 1960s: family, religion, patriotism, integrity, modesty, work and respect for the word given.
The political world celebrates his memory
The political world has extensively celebrated the memory of a “Patriot” who, according to former President Donald Trump, has “Made the Republican Party stronger”. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also greeted a man “Believed in the uniqueness of America with all his heart”.
“Whatever their political opinions, all those who saw Bob Dole in action necessarily admired his character and his deep patriotism”, reacted the leader of the Republicans in the Senate, Mitch McConnell.
Across the political spectrum, left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders greeted a man with “Served his country with courage on the battlefield, and with dignity in the Senate”. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has ordered the flags of the Capitol to be half-masted, according to her chief of staff.
