Bob Dole dead at 98 – Republican presidential candidate and World War 2 hero passes away
FORMER Senate majority leader and Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole has died at the age of 98.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation confirmed that Dole, who had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer earlier this year, died in his sleep.
President Joe Biden took to Twitter with a statement mourning Dole's death.
"Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans," President Biden wrote.
"He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor. May God bless him, and may our nation draw upon his legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism for all time.
Former President Bill Clinton, who beat Dole in the 1996 presidential election, said that Dole "dedicated his entire life to serving the American people, from his heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress."
"After all he gave in the war, he didn’t have to give more. But he did," Clinton wrote.
"His example should inspire people today and for generations to come."
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Former President Donald Trump also released a statement.
"Bob Dole was an American war hero and true patriot for our Nation.
"He served the Great State of Kansas with honor and the Republican Party was made stronger by his service," Trump said.
"Our Nation mourns his passing, and our prayers are with Elizabeth and his wonderful family."
Several other leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Mitt Romney, Cindy McCain, and former President Barack Obama, mourned Dole's death on Twitter and sent well-wishes to his family.
A number of Twitter users shared clips of Bob Dole with Norm MacDonald, who lampooned the senator on Saturday Night Live and died earlier this year.
When MacDonald died, Dole posted a tribute of his own, saying: "Norm was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL."
Born July 22, 1923, Robert Joseph Dole represented the state of in the from 1969 to 1996.
Dole served in World War 2 and was seriously injured while in Italy.
He was been awarded two Purple Hearts for his service, as well as the Bronze Star with "V" Device for valor for his attempt to assist a downed soldier.
Dole was the Republican leader of the US Senate during his final 11 years in politics, including three nonconsecutive years as Senate majority leader.
He was also the presidential nominee in the 1996 election and the vice presidential nominee in the 1976 election.
Dole would eventually lose the election to President Bill Clinton.
He resigned from the Senate during the 1996 campaign and did not seek public office again after the election.
In the 2016 Republican primaries, Dole initially supported Jeb Bush, but later became the only former Republican presidential nominee to endorse Donald Trump.
On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Dole announced that he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
"Recently, I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My first treatment will begin on Monday [February 22]," the statement read.
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"While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own."
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