Bob Dole ran for the Republican nomination for President in 1996. He used a strategy of campaigning in all states rather than conceding any as unwinnable. In early primaries and caucuses, Pat Buchanan and Steve Forbes won some contests, putting Dole's front-runner status in doubt. However, Dole went on to win every contest starting with North and South Dakota, securing the nomination. At the Republican National Convention, Dole was formally nominated for President with Jack Kemp as his running mate. In the general election, Dole debated President Bill Clinton but ultimately lost the close national popular vote while winning some competitive states.

1. Bob Dole The Campaign By: Emily Gomez

3. Today more than ¾ of states use Presidential Primaries

7. In the primaries and caucuses, social conservative Pat Buchanan received early victories in Alaska, Louisiana and New Hampshire, and Steve Forbes in Delaware and Arizona which put Dole's leadership in doubt.

8. Dole won every primary starting with North and South Dakota, which gave him a lock on the party nomination.Bob Dole - 9,024,742 (58.82%) Pat Buchanan - 3,184,943 (20.76%) Steve Forbes - 1,751,187 (11.41%) Lamar Alexander - 495,590 (3.23%) Alan Keyes - 471,716 (3.08%) Richard Lugar - 127,111 (0.83%) Unpledged - 123,278 (0.80%) Phil Gramm - 71,456 (0.47%) Bob Dornan - 42,140 (0.28%) Morry Taylor - 21,180 (0.14%)

10. The objective of the convention is to pick the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidate.

14. The Party had lost momentum after President Bill Clinton successfully co-opted the historically Republican issues of crime and welfare reform and portrayed House Speaker Newt Gingrich as an extremist.

16. Committees Who Gave Money To Bob Dole DOLE FOR PRESIDENT INC$ 14,000 DOLE/KEMP '96 INC$1000 DOLE, ROBERT J(Republican National Committee) How Bob Dole Spent Money to Alexandria, VA-based Multimedia Services Corp. $5.5 Million Odell, Roper and Simms- Direct Mail Services $1.1 Million Total Spent by Dole: $ 131 Million

17. Wise Spending? Sources of Funds (In Million $) Limited Campaign Candidate Controlled Federal Grant $61.8 National Party $12.0 Unlimited Campaigns Candidate May Coordinate Party Soft Money $48.2 Labor $2.0 Independent of Candidate Independent Expenditures $1.0 _____ Total $131 Reports filed by the Dole campaign with the Federal Election Commission show the Senate Majority Leader had spent $24.3 million by the end of February. Dole aides estimate that on March 1, the campaign had about $6 million left to spend until after the August GOP convention in San Diego. The company, Aqua-Leisure Industries, is run by a Dole campaign official. His workers and their families sent the campaign 40 individual checks totaling $40,000. Three of those contributors said workers were handed stacks of $100 bills and told to return with personal checks made out to "Dole for President." They reported personally receiving $4,000.

19. Debates receive a great deal of media attention.A reference to Dole’s age during a presidential debate.

20. DEBATES Debate #1- (Hartford, Connecticut Oct. 6, 1996) , President Bill Clinton held his ground against a barrage of wit and criticism from GOP challenger Bob Dole. Clinton and rival Bob Dole argued over Medicare, the economy, education and tax cuts in the first of two debates. After the candidates' spirited but civil exchange, most people gave high marks to Dole, Debate #2- (VP Debate St. Petersburg, Florida October 9, 1996) candidates arguing over tax policy, the economy's health and help for America's inner cities. Vice President Gore proved the aggressor, trying to point out differences between Kemp and GOP nominee Bob Dole. Final Debate- (San Diego, California Oct 16, 1996) , Dole shifted tactics and repeatedly attacked Clinton's "public ethics." But Clinton, ignoring the barbs, focused on public policy issues and was judged the winner in most public surveys.

21. Election Results Close states States where margin of victory < 5% Kentucky, 0.96% Nevada, 1.02% Georgia, 1.17% Colorado, 1.37% Virginia, 1.96% Arizona, 2.22% Tennessee, 2.41% Montana, 2.88% South Dakota, 3.46% North Carolina, 4.69% Texas, 4.93%

22. Bob Dole Funny Videos This Simpsons episode aired just days before the 1996 General Election. Bob Dole gained media attention for his habit of referring to himself in the third person.