POLITICS 88 : Dole Talks With Robertson and Bush on Party Unity

WASHINGTON — Trying to bury the hatchet after a contentious primary season, Republican presidential candidates past and present gathered in separate meetings Wednesday on Capitol Hill to chat about the safe subject of party unity.

First came a luncheon meeting between Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, who withdrew from the race last week, and Pat Robertson, who is still campaigning for votes despite his acknowledgement that Vice President George Bush will win the nomination.

Discuss Party Expansion

In the 75-minute session in Dole’s Senate office, the latest in a series of meetings that began during the campaign, the two men discussed expanding the Republican Party to permanently include many new devotees attracted by Robertson’s candidacy.

Dole spokesman Walt Riker said the two did not discuss any potential party convention challenges to their mutual foe, Bush. “It wasn’t really a strategy meeting,” Riker said.

“We’ve got to broaden the appeal of the Republican Party,” said Robertson, echoing a favorite refrain of Dole. The Kansas senator, in turn, praised Robertson for being “out there trying to bring people into the party.”

Dole Meets With Bush

Following the meeting with Robertson, Dole traveled to Bush’s ceremonial Senate office, where the two talked for 15 minutes in private before shaking hands for camera crews outside.

“They talked about the bottom line being keeping the White House Republican,” Riker said. Dole said during his withdrawal speech that he would work for the Republican nominee, but Riker said no campaign schedule has been set.

Bush called the session between him and his most serious challenger a “warm, friendly, upbeat meeting.”

“Bob pledged his full support to my candidacy and offered to do everything possible to assist me in winning the presidential election this November,” the vice president said. “I’m delighted to have Bob at my side.”