Bill Clinton (left), Bob Dole.Photo: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP via Getty
As thelate Bob Dolelay in stateat the United States Capitol on Thursday, formerPresident Bill Clintonis remembering his 1996 presidential campaign opponent with fondness—and nostalgia.
“In the next day, I’m going to Bob Dole’s funeral. He ran against me for president and we fought about a lot of things,” Clinton told PEOPLE in an interview previewing hisnew MasterClass serieson leadership that launches Dec. 16.
“But I respected him. I respected the life he lived, the sacrifices he’s made. I gave him the Medal of Freedom after the election because I think we have to keep reaching out. And it’s just not in fashion today, but that’s what I think works better.”
Dole, a native Kansan and Army veteran who was gravely wounded in World War II,died Dec. 5at the age of 98. His flag-draped casket was placed Thursday at the center of the Capitol rotunda, where PresidentJoe Bideneulogized his former Senate colleagueahead of a Friday funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral.
Bill Clinton presents Bob Dole with the Medal of Freedom, January 2017.Greg Gibson/AP/Shutterstock
Dole was Senate Majority Leader during Clinton’s first term in the White House and then the Republican presidential nominee when Clinton ran for reelection.
The respect and admiration were mutual, Dole’s longtime speechwriter Richard Norton Smith says. “Bob Dole like Clinton, said he was a ‘lovable rogue.’ He also respected Clinton, his pragmatism, and recognized Clinton’s communication skills.
MARIO TAMA/AFP via Getty
“What I tried to do was to bring people together, to listen to people, to work with the people who were trying to run me out of town. I still kept working with them and still kept looking for ways to build things,” Clinton said.
“We know it works better to get diverse people together, listen to all of them and then try to do something that will be empowering to people, that will make life better, that’ll make the future better.”
For more of President Clinton’s exclusive interview with PEOPLE, come back to people.com on Friday, December 16.
source: people.com
