Tributes pour in for Bob Dole following his death at 98

Figures from across the political spectrum — including President Joe Biden and former president George W. Bush — shared tributes on Sunday for Bob Dole after the World War II veteran and one-time Republican nominee for president passed away at the age of 98.

“He never hesitated to work with me or other Democrats when it mattered most,” Biden said in a statement. “This work, for Bob, was about more than passing laws. It was written on his heart.”

Bush said that Dole “represented the finest of American values” as he recalled Dole’s tribute to his father, President George H.W. Bush, after the former president’s death in 2018. The then 95-year-old Dole poignantly stood with the help of an aide to give Bush, another WWII veteran, a proper military salute.

“He defended them in uniform during World War II. He advanced them in the United States Senate. And he lived them out as a father, husband and friend,” Bush said. “I will always remember Bob’s salute to my late dad at the Capitol, and now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service.”

Dole’s fellow former GOP presidential pick Mitt Romney wrote on Twitter, “When I think of the greatest generation, I think of Senator Bob Dole — a man who dedicated his life to serving our country.”

“Senator Bob Dole was a truly great man who lived an extraordinary life of service to America and he will be deeply missed by all of us who had the privilege to know him,” tweeted former Vice President Mike Pence. “His courageous service in World War II, his heroic recovery, his service in the House and in the Senate where he served as Majority Leader and his service on two national tickets, including as Republican nominee for President in 1996 were all driven by a love of country and patriotism synonymous with the Greatest Generation.”

Cindy McCain, whose husband John McCain was a close collaborator of Dole’s, called him “the last of the lions of the senate.”

Dole was also remembered for his advocacy for people with disabilities, and the role he played as a bipartisan consensus-builder.

“Bob Dole helped create a world that allowed people like me to live,” Independent columnist Eric Michael Garcia, who has autism and writes about disability rights, shared.

“Barbara & I are sad to hear of passing of war hero/Senate Majority Ldr /presidential nominee Bob Dole,” tweeted Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). “He was a dedicated public servant + kind + funny + hard worker + a true patriot.”