Bob Dole defends McCain from critics

John McCain, taking heat from conservative talk radio pundits, got an assist Monday from former GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole.

Dole wrote a letter defending McCain to talk radio pioneer Rush Limbaugh, who has warned that to choose McCain as the Republican standard-bearer would destroy the party. Dole said he is neutral in the race but said all the major GOP candidates are mainstream Republicans.

"I worked closely with Senator McCain when he came to the Senate in 1987 until I departed," Dole, the former Senate Republican leader, wrote in a letter. McCain's campaign released a copy Monday.

"I cannot recall a single instance when he did not support the party on critical votes. (At my age, I cannot be entirely certain but here are a few key conservative examples)," wrote the 84-year-old Dole.

Dole cited McCain's opposition to abortion and his support for conservative judges, voluntary school prayer and a balanced-budget amendment, among other issues.

"I disagree with his votes against the Bush tax cuts but I believe his pledge to make them permanent," Dole said.

McCain has been reaching out to conservatives in the GOP base who dislike him because of his efforts to limit money in politics, which critics believe violates free speech, and because he has supported a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.

"Whoever wins the Republican nomination will need your enthusiastic support. Two terms for the Clintons are enough," concluded Dole, who lost the 1996 election to Bill Clinton.