‘I Got Tired of Being Shot at’ by Dole, Bush Says

Vice President George Bush said today that he finally responded to sniping from Republican presidential rival Bob Dole because “I just got a little tired of getting shot at.”

Bush arrived on his first campaign trip of the new year one day after he sent a sharp message to Dole to “get off my back.” (Story on Page 5.)

Aboard his plane on the way up, Bush told reporters he would “revert to my normal self today. It’s going to be peace and quiet.”

However, he indicated his displeasure with Dole’s acerbic comments about Bush’s role in the White House.

“Once in a while I just get a little tired of getting shot at,” Bush said.

Suffered in Silence

Bush’s front-runner status is unchallenged in New Hampshire, the nation’s lead-off primary state. However, a new poll Tuesday underscored Dole’s dominance in Iowa, giving him the support of 44% of registered Republicans there compared to 29% for Bush.

Bush appeared to relish the opportunity to strike back at Dole after suffering in silence for months at the acerbic comments of the Kansas senator.

Dole has called Bush “more or less an observer,” and said his own role as Senate minority leader makes him “a player” while Bush “has to sit on the bench.”