Politics

Bob Dole wants a Petraeus presidency

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Former Republican presidential nominee and elder party-man, former Sen. Bob Dole is pushing for a candidate who has remained largely outside of discussions relating to the current presidential sweepstakes: General David Petraeus.

“We’re due for another [Dwight] Eisenhower,” Dole said in Russell, Kansas while attending a celebration of the county’s 140th anniversary over the weekend. Dole explained that the man set to become the new director at the CIA has a “a steady hand.”

“It’s time for somebody that the American people can have confidence in,” he added.

This is not the first time Dole has voiced support for Petraeus as a possible presidential candidate. In 2009 Dole told Politico that 2012 ought to be Petraeus’ year and invoked another comparison to Eisenhower.

“Well, I’d like to see Gen. Petraeus warm up,” Dole said. “I don’t know anything about his politics, whether he has an interest. It’s kind of a time for another Eisenhower, in my view.”

Despite Dole’s confidence, Petraeus has already rejected the idea of a possible presidential run.

(Report: Petraeus to step down later this year)

“I’m not running for president,” the general told Vanity Fair last year.

Nevertheless, for years there have been efforts to get the man largely associated with success in Iraq to get into the race.

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