Dole in O.C., Points Out Capital Ironies

Bob Dole, the Republican presidential candidate who lost to Bill Clinton in 1996, was in town Tuesday to discuss political affairs, but he had little to say about the one people are talking about.

Speaking at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace, the former Senate majority leader did acknowledge the ironies of the situation.

For starters, Dole lives at the Watergate complex, where the 1972 break-in that led to Nixon’s resignation took place. His next-door neighbor is none other than Monica Lewinsky, the former intern at the center of the White House sex scandal.

Dole said he occasionally greeted Lewinsky and her mother but didn’t know them.

In addition, Dole was chairman of the Republican National Committee when the 1972 Watergate break-in occurred and was an ally of Nixon’s before and after his presidency--all of which he discussed Tuesday at Nixon’s library.

But Dole told the 200 guests in the library foyer not to rush to judgment.

Pressed by reporters after his speech, Dole said he rejected First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s assertion made Tuesday morning on NBC’s “Today” show that a “vast right-wing conspiracy” is fueling the scandal.

The allegations that Clinton had an affair with Lewinsky and then told her to lie about it will give Republicans “a little more influence in what’s going to happen this year,” Dole said, but he added: “I don’t know who the right-wing conspiracy is.”

Asked if he found Bill Clinton to be trustworthy, Dole, who recently traveled to Bosnia as a special envoy for the president, said the public would have to decide for itself.

“I have always found my dealings with him to be aboveboard,” he said.

Although reporters wanted to know how he felt about the White House troubles, his speech concentrated on more personal themes.

Looking rested and in better shape than during his last campaign, Dole joked about his increased popularity after talk show appearances and a credit card commercial. In the ad, he is instantly recognized and welcomed in his Kansas hometown but nevertheless is required to show identification to cash a check.

“I get letters saying ‘If [you] had done that before, I would’ve voted for you,’ ” Dole said.

In addition to television appearances, Dole also works for a Washington law firm.

Although declining to address the sex scandal or character issues around Clinton head-on, Dole ended his speech by hammering home the importance of honor, integrity and truthfulness.

“I think it gets back to trust,” he said. “In our business you don’t write much down,” he said, referring to politicians. “Your word is your bond. Once you’re without that trust, you’re finished. Your credibility goes to zero.”