TNR's Take on Elizabeth Dole

In the Valentine's edition of the New Republic Michelle Cottle tries to make the case that Elizabeth Dole does not deserve the heap of criticism that has been handed her way since the GOP got handed the loss of control of the Senate. "Dole was ill-suited to the partisan mudwrestling aspects of the job (especially compared with Democratic counterpart Schumer)." Cottle goes on to say "No matter that she was operating in one of the most Republican-unfriendly climates in memory. And no matter that most folks now agree the tight races in places like Virginia and Missouri weren't lost on money. When elections go south, the leadership is a thankless place to be, and the stench of failure now clings to Dole like poop on a shoe. " Cottle's apologia falls flat. Sure, Dole faced a heavy headwind but she did nothing to transform the situation. She did not do a good job of candidate recruitment nor did she raise enough dough. Chuck Shumer did a much better job. Early in the process, her work looked like a lot of the rest of her career - perfect nails but nothing behind them.

Cottle goes on to say "While she occasionally takes a stab at political glamour roles, at heart Liddy seems more bureaucrat than politician. (This is, after all, the gal who spent two years as Richard Nixon's deputy assistant for Consumer Affairs, six years at the Federal Trade Commission, four-and-a-half years as Ronald Reagan's Transportation secretary, two years as Poppy Bush's Labor secretary, and eight years as head of the Red Cross.)" In many of those roles she was either lackluster or bordering on incompetent. If the role of campaign chair was not her cup of tea - then why did she take it?

Her husband once criticized George HW Bush as someone whose "resume exceeded the man." One might also use that criticism of Liddy. Cottle credits her as a policy wonk - there is little evidence of that. Her policy output in February included such major policy initiatives as S.496 - A bill to reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. Whoopdie Doo - a constituent bill. S.RES.73 - A resolution designating February 6, 2007, as "Ronald Reagan Day". RWR was a wonderful president but is this something of substance? S.488 - A bill to revise the boundary of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in the State of North Carolina, and for other purposes. Wow!!! Policy, important policy and another constituent bill. S.RES.69 - A resolution recognizing the African-American spiritual as a national treasure. Zowie, a very important and controversial issue again. What Vision!!! S.RES.67 - A resolution designating March 2007 as "Go Direct Month". No further comment is necessary.

Cottle claims Dole is passionate about things like Community College articulation (improving the chances of moving from 2 year to four year institutions to finish a BA). But in order to be effective you need committee assignments to carry out your goals. Dole serves on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Armed Services and Aging. If she were really serious about the business of community college transfer she would be on the right committee. If you look at her output since the start of the new congress there is little to suggest that anything of substance related to any of her three committees.

Perhaps no person leading the GOP Senate Committee could have pulled 2006 out. But with a couple of minor policy changes, a bit more money and a little less concentration on some of the odder races the results might have been different.