Elizabeth Dole Gets Warm Reception at Leisure World

Elizabeth Dole was warmly greeted by about 500 residents Wednesday at Leisure World, where she made a brief stop to campaign for her husband during her trip to Southern California.

Dole spoke on a broad range of issues including moral integrity, the role of government and taxes. At several points during the 45-minute talk, Dole, who roamed the audience with a wireless microphone, received rousing ovations.

She told of presidential candidate Bob Dole’s Kansas roots and of his recovery from severe wounds suffered in World War II. And she read remarks from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and former President George Bush that testified to Dole’s integrity.

“Don’t you think you could build a whole campaign around returning personal responsibility to the presidency?” she asked to loud applause.

“This [election] is a defining moment in American history,” she added.

Dole is on leave from her job as president of the American Red Cross during the campaign. She is scheduled to speak at the seventh annual Harvest Crusade, which begins today in Anaheim.

Dole hammered away at familiar Republican themes, such as shrinking the federal government, pressuring Hollywood for family-oriented entertainment and lowering taxes. Also, she said her husband was better suited than President Clinton to making military decisions.

“It helps to understand the problem when you’ve served,” she said to more applause.

Though Dole was late for the address by 40 minutes, the audience embraced her visit.

“I think she’s a good Republican and she believes like I do,” said Leisure World resident Mildred Gentry, 83, whose hat and coat were decorated with the Stars and Stripes. “She’s not wishy-washy. You know where she stands.”

Kathleen Burke, 74, who lives in nearby Los Alamitos, agreed.

“I think she would make a wonderful first lady,” said Burke. “Plus she supports her husband without being troublesome.”