Dole, Kemp Take To The Podium Tonight

SAN DIEGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 15) -- On the docket for tonight's finale are the acceptance speeches by vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp and presidential nominee Robert Dole, as well as the traditional balloon drop (which shouldn't take long in San Diego's 27-foot high convention center).

Tonight's theme is all Bob Dole and his vision for "Restoring the American Dream."

TRENT LOTT Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott served under Sen. Bob Dole as majority whip and succeeded Dole as Senate majority leader. He's also a close friend of Jack Kemp. He'll give the introductory speech for the two nominees.

JACK KEMP So far he's helped bring vision and focus to the Dole ticket, and with the economic plan at the center of Dole's campaign, Kemp should be in his element. Even though the vice presidential speech is one of the few appearances not limited to 10 minutes, wife Joanne has pleaded her long-winded husband to keep it short.

Kemp will probably use his appeal to African-Americans to reach out to the predominantly Democratic minority constituency. Although he's backed off the last few days on his past support for affirmative action, he still says he believes in "much more important civil rights initiatives... for low- or modest-incomed people who never had the chance to do things so many upper-income people do."

BOB DOLE He's been rehearsing his speech for weeks, trying to get it just right. But like the speculation surrounding Bob Dole's pick of a running mate, little is actually known about the speech. Its length? "Longer than some, shorter than others," he says.

In fact, more is known about what won't be in the speech. Although the 73-year old nominee has stated he probably wouldn't run for reelection in 2000, Dole won't forecast himself as a one-termer during his speech, making him look like a lame-duck in the waiting. He also won't mention the controversial abortion issue.

Aides say in his optimistic speech he will talk about his life's story as the story of America, and will deal with the age issue "early on." Some analysts speculate Dole will announce some members of a cabinet in the Dole Administration.

Dole, Kemp Take To The Podium Tonight

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