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US politician Bob Dole
Photo:
Olivier Douliery / POOL / EPA
Former Senator Bob Dole, who challenged Bill Clinton in the 1996 presidential election, is dead. His family foundation announced this on Sunday.
The Republican politician, who had been very influential for decades, died that morning "in his sleep".
Dole was considered a US war hero, he had suffered several serious wounds during World War II. As a politician, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1961. In 1968 he entered the Senate for the state of Kansas - and was re-elected four times. Dole ran as President Gerald Ford's runner-up in the 1976 election, but Democrat Jimmy Carter prevailed in the vote.
Together with the Republican minority leader in the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, he worked successfully from 1993 to prevent the policies of the new President Clinton.
The Republican opposition also fell victim to the health care reform that Clinton was seeking.
From 1995 to mid-1996, Dole was the majority leader in the Senate - and was now able to slow down Clinton's policies much more effectively before he decided to run against him and gave up his Senate mandate.
In the 1996 presidential election, Dole ran for the Republicans, losing to the Democratic incumbent.
Dole has "loyally served the United States of America for 79 years," said the family foundation.
At the Washington Capitol, flags were raised to half-mast in mourning for Dole.
Bob Dole was 98 years old.
xcv / afp / dpa