Dole Favors Cap on ‘Soft-Money’ Gifts

WASHINGTON — Bob Dole, calling a 1996 Democratic ad blitz illegal and saying it doomed his presidential bid, says he favors banning “soft-money” donations to political parties by unions, corporations and individuals.

Although such “issues ads” were supposed to promote Democratic Party ideas rather than President Clinton’s candidacy, “this sustained barrage of advertising . . . was instrumental in shaping positive public opinion about the president and negative public opinion about me,” Dole said in a statement to the Senate panel that investigated 1996 fund-raising.

Last fall, Dole challenged Clinton to testify at the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee’s hearings to answer allegations of campaign abuses. Dole offered to testify as well if Clinton accepted the challenge, which was rejected. His statement, obtained from a Senate aide, was offered as prepared testimony if he had been called by the panel.

Dole said he favored a five-year phase-out of soft money donated by corporations, unions and others to political parties. Before the ban takes effect, Dole said there should be a “reasonable cap” on the amount of those donations.

Soft money is supposed to be used to promote party-building activities and voter education, rather than a candidate. Unlike the $1,000 limits for individual donations to candidates, there are no caps on the soft money that can be given to parties.