ABSTRACT
During his 36-year career in the U.S. Senate, Bob Dole rose from a backbench Western Kansas House member to become, over the 1981-1996 period, perhaps the most accomplished legislative leader of his era. As Senate GOP floor leader, Dole mixed partisanship with pragmatism, compassion with a sometimes withering wit, and goal-oriented drive with an unparalleled ability to forge a winning compromise. Although Dole did author some seminal legislation, including food stamps and, in part, the Americans with Disabilities Act, his distinctive contributions lay in bringing senators together to produce pragmatic legislative deals that would become law. Dole was simultaneously a fierce partisan and a willing negotiator, working effectively within his own caucus, across the aisle with Democratic senators, and with House leaders and the White House. Although Dole ran as a candidate for the presidency (1996) and the vice-presidency (1976), his talents were more suited for the legislative branch, and especially the Senate. Dole's capacities to successfully combine understandings of policy, politics, and personalities illustrate the difficulties of successfully leading the Senate, especially as the body grew less collegial and more partisan during his tenure. To the best of his ability, he always prodded his colleagues to come together, to make the best deal possible.
