Bob Dole first got involved in politics in 1951, inspired by President Eisenhower, his fellow Kansan and World War II commander in chief.

Over the years he has served in many roles -- Presidential nominee, Senate Republican Leader, US Senatorand Congressman, Vice Presidential nominee,Republican National Committee Chairman, County Attorney, and GOP Precinct Captain.

In all of these roles, he has made it a major priority to help GOP candidates across the board. In 1981, he founded Campaign America. At its peak, in the historic 1994 GOP Congressional victory, Campaign America was the second largest PAC after the Teamsters Union.

Even as the Republican Presidential nominee, he took time to help other GOP candidates. During his 96 hour end-of-campaign marathon schedule, he visited many states and districts where the GOP had key House and Senate incumbents who needed the extra boost of a Dole visit.

Despite retiring from elective politics, Bob Dole has far from retired from active politics as a whole. In 1998, the first election year after his leaving public office, he campaigned actively on behalf of 70 GOP nominees in 37 states: 14 Senate candidates, 42 House candidates, 9 gubernatorial candidates and five for other offices. He has continued to campaign actively in subsequent election years, both for Mrs. Dole's run for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2000 and her successful campaign for the US Senate in 2002, as well taking an active part in President Bush's 2000 election and 2004 re-election campaign. He maintained a busy and often grueling schedule in the crucial last few weeks of the 2000 and 2004 elections, campaigning for the Bush-Cheney ticket in key marginal states, like Iowa.

His salute to America's Veterans at the 2000 Republican National Convention was one of the high points of the convention, as was Mrs.Dole's speech on the same night.

As a private citizen, Bob Dole continues to live up to his nickname of "Mr.Republican".

American Values and Leadership
An American Hero shares his experience as a citizen, politician and individual with strong values in the 21st century. Stories of his life accompany a strong message filled with conviction about what it takes to be a leader in America today.