Former presidential hopeful Bob Dole said on Sunday that he no longer feels at home in the Grand Old Party of today and speculated that neither would Republican icon Ronald Reagan or former President Richard M. Nixon.
“Reagan couldn't have made it. Certainly, Nixon couldn't have made it because he had ideas,” Dole said on "Fox News Sunday."
His advice for Republicans in Washington today was to hang a “closed-for-repairs” sign on the party door until they come up with new ideas to revitalize their agenda.
The popular Republican Party leader served in Congress from 1961 to 1996 and was Senate majority leader when he retired to run for president against Bill Clinton.
Dole also blamed the “American people” for Washington gridlock by opposing any spending cuts that might have an effect in their personal lives.
As for the Democratic-controlled Senate, Dole said the upper chamber has not completely broken down, but acknowledged that it is “bent.”
Known as “America’s veteran,” Dole symbolizes the “Greatest Generation” who served during World War II and overcame serious battle injuries to serve his home state of Kansas from the nation’s capital.
His health has failed rapidly in recent years, he is almost blind and confined to a wheelchair.
He told Fox News host Chris Wallace that when he leaves this world, he would like for his tombstone to read, “Veteran who gave his most for his country.”
“I tried to make the most of it, and I think I did,” Dole said.
Asked about Barack Obama’s performance as president, the 90-year-old statesman cracked his legendary mischievous smile and said, “He’s a great golfer.”
Obama kicked off his Memorial Day weekend on Saturday playing his124th golf game of his five-year presidency, before making a trip to Oklahoma on Sunday to view the damage caused by a massive tornado.
“I think as a president he lacks communication skills with his own party, let alone the Republican Party,” Dole said.
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