Dole's candidacy is

good, but still developing

Megan

Schimpf

Prescriptions

Sitting in the Michigan League in late November, Elizabeth Dole gave the keynote address at a conference on the evolution of women in American politics.

"I can remember a time when the idea of a woman equal to her male counterpart in politics was as unlikely as, well, a professional wrestler being elected governor of a state," she said.

Ironically, within minutes of each other on Jan. 4, Jesse Ventura took the oath of office as Minnesota's governor and Dole resigned as president of the American Red Cross amid speculation she would aim for where no woman politician has been.

As Dole leaves her post this week, she has generated more talk than her male counterpart ever did. As true governmental process falls by the impeachment wayside, Dole is stirring more interest in the future than any other politician.

That is because she is a woman.

But it is primarily because she is the first eminently qualified woman to ever seriously evaluate a run for the country's highest office. With a résumé that includes a Harvard Law degree, two Cabinet posts, work in six administrations, the Red Cross and a fountain of experience in politicking on a national scale, Elizabeth Dole has, if nothing else, made the first step in the journey toward there ever being a Madame President.

Regardless of whether she runs, wins or accepts a vice-presidential nomination, Elizabeth Dole has already won for women politicians of the future.

But do not cast a ballot for her yet. Support her candidacy, but examine it before supporting her for president.

November 2000 is still about 22 months away, and other serious candidates - including the odds-on favorite for the GOP nomination, Gov. George W. Bush of Texas - have yet to declare their intentions. Many of the parameters of the race will be set during the next several weeks and years under the Capitol dome.

Yet Dole is hailed as the savior of politics and government, the perfectly organized, prepared and motivated one who will restore order to what remains of the Constitution and the people's faith in government. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd compared Dole to Nurse Ratched, the details-oriented "antidote to the most undisciplined President in history."

Her resignation gave her a boost the other candidates only dream for, scoring articles in every newspaper, broadcast and Website dedicated to news, along with live CNN coverage of the speech. Both The Washington Post and The New York Times put top political reporters on the story; Democrat Bill Bradley's declaration of candidacy for president earned him a note in a column of stories pulled from the Associated Press.

She is already at least the second-runner to Bush in early polls for the GOP nomination and leads the "race" for vice-presidential choices. She is projected to attract voters who have not voted in years and women who have voted for Democrats. She could tap into untouched volunteer and campaigning resources. She is an insider who stepped outside for just long enough.

But Elizabeth Dole has no prescribed ideology, platform or program. She has never herself been elected to office. She has raised money for the Red Cross, but a presidential campaign is different. We have seen some biographical sketches of her as a candidate's wife.

But we have no idea who Elizabeth Dole, candidate, would be.

Right now she stands as the ultimate example of an image-driven campaign. Articles speak of her personality, her "Oprah" speech at the 1996 GOP convention, her husband. People like the idea of Dole running. Pundits like the new look to the campaign. Republicans like all the new votes - and ironically being the party that could change the all-male look of the executive branch. Everyone likes that she has no impeachment vote and seemingly no hidden scandals.

Now, before an ideology emerges, we can shape her campaign how we choose. Dole seems to represent her own politically neutral party, one as varied as her background: women, Republicans, human-rights supporters, Christian conservatives and people looking for something new in government.

Dole has said the country is ready for a woman to seriously contend for the presidency. And the country has elected presidents in the past based on the perception they could restore order to a disheveled nation.

But these are not reasons to vote for Dole, or for anyone for that matter.

For the evolution of women in politics and for the future of the country, be honored that Elizabeth Dole has thought about giving that much of her life to us. Be happy that there will be others, even more qualified, who will follow her.

But examine what she says before you vote for her.

- Megan Schimpf can be reached over e-mail at mschimpf@umich.edu

01-22-99