Alan Simpson: “Let me just say that I speak from perhaps a little special vantage point because I served as the assistant leader to Bob…”

“Let me just say that I speak from perhaps a little special vantage point because I served as the assistant leader to Bob Dole for 10 years. Those were 10 of the finest years I have spent in public life, and I have had some very exciting times, and some less exciting times, in public life. But the 10 years serving as first lieutenant to Bob Dole as he served as our captain were tremendously satisfying and gratifying years for me. Let me just say that the decision he has made today is one that is typical of Bob Dole in that he thought that thing through for a long time. He talked with people he respects and admires and cares for, and he came up with a decision which is going to be very good for him and very good for the United States of America because the greatest part of it will be that he will be out in the land and the people of America will see him and the people of America will see Liddy Dole at his side. Bob Dole and Liddy Dole will be deeply impressive to the American people. The greatest pleasure I have is knowing that they will get to know him in the same way that we here know him, in the same way that I know him as an extraordinarily deep, complex, competitive, compassionate, complete man, a steady man of great, great sensitivity.”