National Press Club

Former Sen. Bob Dole, 1923-2021, spoke virtually to Club on Veterans Day 2020

Wire Staff

December 06, 2021

Longtime Republican senator from Kansas and one-time presidential candidate Bob Dole died in his sleep Sunday morning, Dec. 5, at the age of 98, his family reported. Two past National Press Club presidents who were involved with Dole's final appearance at a Club event -- a virtual interview that was pre-recorded and streamed on Veterans Day 2020 -- reflected on that experience Sunday. Mike Freedman, NPC president in 2020, sent a note to Myron Belkind, NPC president in 2014, saying he thought of him upon hearing the news, as Belkind, a neighbor of the Doles who lived at Watergate South, had arranged the interview. Freedman praised the opportunity as "a wonderful gift you gave all of us by securing the Veterans Day interview for the National Press Club in November of 2020. Meaningful and memorable." Belkind, himself a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Club's American Legion Post 20, recalled that although it couldn't be done in person, "Dole received the NPC American Legion Post 20 mug (I had it delivered to his apartment)." The interview was one of the last known to be recorded, though 20-year Club member Susan Page of USA Today had an interview with Dole published on his 98th birthday on July 22, 2021. Following is the story that appeared in The Wire after the Veterans Day 2020 interview first aired.

November 11, 2020

Former Majority Leader Dole recalls bipartisanship in Senate, lauds military veterans in Veterans Day interview

By Wesley G. Pippert
[email protected]

Former Senate Majority Leader Robert "Bob" Dole, in an interview with National Press Club President Michael Freedman that aired on Veterans Day, said he is confident that the United States will continue to retain military superiority. 

“Our president," Dole said, referring to President Trump, "by doing what he did in military areas has assured that we’re going to be the strongest country in the world for years and years to come.”

“We have the military might to take on anyone,” he added.

National Press Club President Michael Freedman interviewed former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a World War II veteran (pictured right) and the 1996 Republican presidential candidate. Photo: Alan Kotok.
National Press Club President Michael Freedman interviewed former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a World War II veteran (pictured right) and the 1996 Republican presidential candidate. Photo: Alan Kotok.

Dole, 97, appeared at the virtual Headliners Newsmaker, from his home in Washington. “I still have all my marbles,” he said, flashing his celebrated wit. Dole, who was wounded while serving in Italy in World War II, lauded his fellow veterans and urged them to “be true to faith, to country, and be on the positive side.” 

Growing up in the small town of Russell, Kansas, Dole said he never thought much about politics. After spending more than a year in the hospital to recover from his war wounds, Dole earned a law degree and got involved in politics when the county attorney in his hometown no longer wanted the job and asked Dole to run for the post. Dole later went on to serve in the Kansas legislature. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1961 and the Senate in 1969. He served in the Senate until 1996, the last 11 years as Senate Republican leader.

When he first joined the Congress, Dole said, most members were veterans, which offered a shared set of experiences that doesn't exist today. Photo: Alan Kotok.
When he first joined the Congress, Dole said, most members were veterans, which offered a shared set of experiences that doesn't exist today. Photo: Alan Kotok.

“I had a great ride,” Dole said. “When I was Leader, I reached across the aisle -- a lot. We got a lot done.”

Never mentioning either Trump or President-elect Biden by name at any point in the interview, Dole, a former GOP presidential nominee, offered compliments to several Democratic senate colleagues, particularly late Sens. Philip Hart, D-Mich., who stood by him early in his career, Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, who was  hospitalized with war injuries at the same time as Dole, and George McGovern, D-S.D., who ran for president in 1972 when Dole was GOP chairman. Dole called McGovern “a wonderful guy, a dear friend … he had a heart.”

“It’s different today,” Dole said. He later added, "Today, I’m kind of a sad Republican.” He didn’t elaborate on either remark.

Nowadays, Dole said, he said he talks to senators with whom he served and friends he has accumulated “along the way.” And, he admitted, “I’m a newshound.” For the past 14 years, he welcomes thousands of veterans who were coming to see the new World War II memorial, which he helped create. 

“I rely on faith. It’s important. God has a plan for all of us,” Dole said. “When the chips are down, we’re all in this together.”