As Steve Forbes exits the Republican presidential race Thursday to endorse Sen. Bob Dole, the publisher's longtime political friends are hoping his pro-growth and anti-tax economic messages carry on.
New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman, a childhood friend of Forbes and a key Dole backer, said she planned to ask Forbes to be a Dole delegate, partly in hopes that his flat-tax plan won't be forgotten."He certainly controlled the discussion in the early part of the campaign, and he's comfortable, I think, that he can now bow out but his issues will still be discussed," Whitman said Wednesday.
Former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp, whose late-hour Forbes endorsement didn't help his campaign, was seeking a kind word from Dole, too.
"My hope would be that Bob Dole would reach out to Steve immediately," Kemp said Wednesday. "So far, he has shown no magnanimity in victory. They made a rather halfhearted plea for unity last night but didn't mention Steve's contribution to the debate and to the cause."
Dole, campaigning in Michigan, said he planned to talk to Forbes by phone Thursday.
Asked if he planned to add something to his campaign speeches in light of Forbes' withdrawal, Dole said no, and then added, jokingly: "But I may take something out."
A senior Forbes aide, insisting on anonymity, said Forbes would endorse Dole, who has all but locked up the nomination, and pledge his help in defeating President Clinton in the fall.
"No doubt about it - it helps," Dole said when asked about the effect of Forbes' withdrawal.
Forbes had vowed as recently as Wednesday morning to stay in the race through the Midwestern primaries next Tuesday, but talked openly about getting out if he didn't make a strong showing.
After spending much of the day closeted in a Washington hotel room with his advisers, Forbes accepted their judgment that the chances for a victory next week in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan or Wisconsin were bleak and decided to quit Thursday.
Campaign manager Bill Dal Col said one reason Forbes put off the formal announcement for a day was so his family could join him.
Forbes' decision came after the euphoria of winning the Delaware and Arizona primaries evaporated in the face of a string of resounding defeats.
Since Arizona, Forbes had not spent much money on television advertising, a sign to campaign watchers that he had reached the limit of his willingness to use his personal fortune to finance his campaign.
Overall, Forbes spent more than $30 million, nearly all his own money, to earn 900,545 votes during the primary season - 16 percent of those cast, putting him third behind Dole and Pat Buchanan.
His centerpiece issue was the flat tax - a 17 percent tax on earned income that would not tax investment income and would eliminate the popular deductions for mortgage interest and gifts to charity.
Forbes defended his plan in the face of stiff criticism from rivals who said it would allow the rich to keep millions from taxation while removing deductions treasured by the middle class.
Forbes has been careful in recent weeks not to criticize Dole, concentrating instead on the flat tax and other issues he considers important. He has said on several occasions that he would be happy to support Dole.