Elizabeth Dole may soon establish a campaign committee–but may not be hiring husband Bob’s old crew, sources say, using instead her own cadre of staffers. With her discipline and fund-raising skills, Dole could be a ““very formidable candidate’’ if she emphasizes her North Carolina Bible-belt roots, says GOP strategist Ralph Reed, former Christian Coalition head.
Texas Gov. George W. Bush will use his inaugural to highlight his ““compassionate conservative,’’ multiculti theme: an MLK birthday celebration, a Methodist church service and a bilingual slogan: ““Juntos Podemos/Together We Can.’’ A Bush-Dole ticket? ““Too much old establishment’’ for grass-roots conservatives, says their guru Richard Viguerie.
Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft, favored by the religious right, won’t run; that helps Dan Quayle, who needs those voters. Another potential beneficiary: Steve Forbes. Lamar Alexander launched an exploratory committee, shed his trademark plaid shirt and added adviser Marvin Runyon, a Nashville-based CEO who turned around the Postal Service. Can he deliver?
