Dole wants stronger military, more privatization

Elizabeth Dole says beefing up the military and shrinking the overall size of government are her two top priorities in her bid for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination.

During campaign stops and speeches, Dole has repeatedly cited military readiness as one of her top concerns, pledging increased military spending and support of a missile defense program.

"We've been spending recently the lowest percent of our gross domestic product on defense in 50 years. It's certainly time to beef up our military readiness," Dole said in an interview with Washington Times reporter Ralph Z. Hallow last week.

Dole has also advocated more privatization of government programs as a means to cut wasteful spending from the budget. At a recent YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement ceremony, Dole said government has become "too big, too bloated and too bureaucratic."

Dole cites the sale of government railroads and airports, which occurred during her tenure as Secretary of Transportation, as testimony to her willingness to go through with privatization.

"I have privatized. I have a record," she told Hallow.

Dole said the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the General Services Administration's fleet management operations are ripe for privatization, but added that many other federal programs could potentially be sold off as well.

On the other hand, government operations that support the war on illegal immigration and drug trafficking need to be expanded, Dole has said.

During a campaign stop at the U.S.-Mexican border, Dole said she would more than double staffing at the Border Patrol, from 9,000 to 20,000. She also said she would expand the role of the National Guard in combating illegal drugs.

Dole has never held elective office, but is using her experience in the federal government as a means of distinguishing herself from the other GOP hopefuls.

"I'm asking [people] to vote for me because I'm the most experienced. Because I bring 30 years of experience to the table," she said in the Washington Times interview.

Dole was Secretary of Transportation in the Reagan administration and Secretary of Labor under President Bush. She served as president of the American Red Cross from 1991 until she launched her presidential campaign earlier this year.