2 Top Dole Aides Fired in Shake-Up

Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole said today two of his top aides were fired because his campaign is “trying to tighten up” for the Super Tuesday primaries.

Consultants David Keene and Don DeVine left Dole’s campaign in Florida this morning, according to campaign manager Bill Brock.

“We’re in the process of trying to tighten up on resources,” Dole said, but also acknowledged, “There is tension in any campaign.”

Brock said he decided on the shake-up and notified Dole Wednesday night.

“We don’t have any philosophical differences,” said Brock, a former senator from Tennessee. “We’re in a different kind of campaign at this time.”

Brock said other changes were forthcoming, adding that some Dole personnel in the national headquarters would be asked to go into the field for the Kansas senator.

During his appearance before the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Dole said he considers the Republican race a two-man battle between himself and Vice President George Bush.

‘Headed to New Orleans’

“I’ve got a feeling we may be headed all the way to New Orleans,” said Dole, referring to the Republican National Convention in August.

Aiming his remarks at conservative Republicans in a city that hosts three huge naval bases, Dole praised President Reagan’s leadership and pitched his remarks toward strong support of the Strategic Defense Initiative. But he also urged resolving the federal budget deficit.

“The biggest single threat in America . . . in my view, is the deficit,” said Dole. “You have a right to insist we deal with the deficit.”

Dole said the country needs to control wasteful Pentagon spending with an inspector general “meaner than a junkyard dog,” but said he would not compromise on defense.

“If I’m going to make a mistake on defense, I want to be sure I’ve spent enough,” said the senator.

Dole also spoke before the Florida Assn. of Counties mid-year legislative congress.