English/Nat

On the third stop of a 96 hour multi-state campaign tour, the tired-looking Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole handed the spotlight over to his wife.

He only spoke briefly, his voice hoarse, but vowed to keep campaigning round the clock up until election day.

Earlier in the day, Dole slammed President Clinton for violating public trust - notably in his tax plans - in front of an enthusiastic breakfast audience in the Philadelphia suburb of Essington.

It may have been only breakfast, but Republican supporters were out early Saturday at the Lagoon restaurant in the Philadelphia suburb of Essington.

They came to see their presidential candidate Bob Dole as his whirlwind tour stopped off in the state of Pennsylvania.

As it turned out, they got an improvised election debate between Dole and his Democratic rival, President Bill Clinton - or their masked impersonators, anyway.

When the Persian Gulf war veteran, retired General Colin Powell, introduced Dole the audience was predictably enthusiastic.

Dole used the meeting to knock his rival, who currently leads the polls, and to woo the audience with his Republican brand of humour.

SOUNDBITE:

"And I know people say, 'Well, we were promised that in '92 by that other guy - what's his name? Bill, yeah, Bill - and instead of a tax cut you got a big, big fat tax increase of 265 (b) billion dollars. But there's one difference: I'm not Bill Clinton, I'm Bob Dole."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

Despite his poor performance in the opinion polls, Dole claimed he was still in with a chance.

SOUNDBITE:

"We can win this thing - wouldn't that surprise everybody - we can win this thing. Public, public trust does matter in Pennsylvania and across the country. Public trust, public trust, public trust - do not violate the public trust and that's what they've done for the past four years and I trust you."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

Colin Powell reiterated Dole's hopes of winning the election despite his lacklustre campaign.

Texas billionaire and Reform Party candidate, Ross Perot's poll numbers have recently crept into double digits after he sharpened attacks on both candidates.

After Dole's New Jersey and Pennsylvania stops, it was on to Covington, Kentucky.

By that point the campaign had become a double act as Bob Dole brought on his wife Elizabeth who gave another thumbs-up to the campaign.

Dole only spoke briefly there - and that was in a somewhat hoarse voice.

But Elizabeth Dole took centre stage and spoke about women's rights and the importance of family values.

Essington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Covington, Kentucky, Texas USA

Essington, Philadelphia:

1. Pan and zoom into Dole supporters outside the Lagoon restaurant

2. 'Dole' and 'Clinton' masked men chatting

3. Colin Powell introduces Bob Dole

4. Dole walks onto stage

5. Dole supporters

6. Close up: Powell

7. SOUNDBITE: Dole

8. Supporters cheering and waving placards

9. SOUNDBITE: Dole

Covington, Kentucky, Texas:

10. Crowd waving stars and stripes US flag

11. Bob and Elizabeth Dole waving to crowd and giving 'thumbs up'

12. Various: crowd applauding and waving flags

English/Nat

Bill Clinton and Bob Dole - the two main challengers in November's Presidential election in the USA - will face each other in a few hours in the first of a series of televised debates.

President Clinton goes into the debating chamber 15 points ahead in the opinion polls. Dole sees the face-to-face televised showdowns as possibly his best chance to woo voters away from the President.

Political analysts agree that if history is the judge President Clinton has little to gain and much to lose in tonight's opening debate.

Traditionally front-runners tend to want to avoid facing political opponents because often the underdog comes out on top, harnesses public opinion and ends up winning more votes.

But the Presidential Debates are as much part of the election process as putting an X on the ballot paper in the United States. The stakes are high for both men.

Bill Clinton was all smiles as he flew into Hartford, Connecticut, where the first debate will take place. But behind the stage grin there may just be a little stage fright.

Several days of intensive training have gone into preparing him for the television showdown and political aides like White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta are sure their man is ready.

Panetta dismisses talk of surprises - possibly born out of an American newspaper report that the Republicans are going to plant someone in the front row to embarrass Clinton and knock him off his stride.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Everybody always speculates that there are hidden surprises but I have to tell you I think people have to be careful about surprises here. I have to tell you I really do think the American people want to tune in to a debate between these two candidates and hopefully there won't be any gimmicks that will interfere with that."

SUPER CAPTION: Leon Panetta,White House Chief of Staff.

Churchgoers in Washington D.C. on Sunday morning mostly agreed that they'd be watching the debate - but not so many felt it would change their opinion on who they'd be voting for on election day.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think I pretty much made up my mind about the election more than anything."

Q: Will it make a difference who you vote for on how they do in the debate?

"I don't think it will make a difference."

"I keep up with the politics fairly much, so I think I am fairly well decided who I am voting for so I don't think it will make much difference, but it will certainly help me be more informed on the positions."

"Whatever that was said, that is what I would like to hear, that is who I will vote for, the one who says the right thing."

SUPERCAPTION: VOX POPS

Republican challenger Bob Dole looked in bullish mood as he headed for Washington's National Airport on route to the debate.

A bad performance in the two 90-minute contests would virtually write-off his chances of being elected - but a good performance could mean his campaign will take off with less than a month to go to polling day.

No doubting who this crowd wants to win - Clinton supporters turned out in force to wish their man good luck at a rally near the debate venue.

Bill Clinton's most relaxed when he's amongst people; although campaign aides like George Stephanopoulos looked a little up tight. He's grown a beard and he thinks to shave it off too early could be costly.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

Question: - Tell me about the beard - why won't you shave the beard ?

ANSWER: "(I'll shave it) .....right before the debate- its a four year old superstition"

SUPER CAPTION: George STEPHANopOulos, Clinton aide.

Bob Dole's camp- out in force for the challenger on his arrival in Connecticut - weren't directly involved four years ago. Though Dole did debate in 1976 when he was running for Vice-President.

But its not all uncharted territory, Dole is a noted orator on the floor of America's Senate and Clinton's team is on record as saying the Republican senator will be a tough opponent .

near Hartford, Connecticut, Washington, DC, 6th October 1996

1.Clinton stepping from aircraft on arrival near Hartford,Connecticut

2.Set-up shots Leon Panetta,White House Chief of Staff

3.SOUNDBITE: (English) Panetta

4 Wide shot Washington DC church

5.People walking into church

6.SOUNDBITE: (English) vox pops

7.Dole motorcade sweeping into airport

8.Tight shot Dole waving out car window.

9. Dole for President charter jet taxis and takes off

10.Dole aircraft in flight - ground to air tight shot.

11.Crowd cheering Clinton zoom in at Connecticut rally

12.Clinton hugging First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

13. Clinton walking to stage

14. Clinton being greeted at Podium pulls back to wide shot scene

15. Walking shot Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos

16 SOUNDBITE: (English) George Stephanopoulos

17. Stephanopoulos walks away

18. Dole coming down aircraft steps on arrival at Connecticut.

19 Dole and Mrs Elizabeth Dole his wife being greeted by Republican Party officials.

English/Nat

Chicago is playing host to the Democrats this week, as the party holds its convention in the city's basketball stadium.

But Republican presidential candidate, Bob Dole, grabbed a share of the limelight on Sunday when he joined his own party members at a picnic just outside the city.

Dole attacked Bill Clinton's anti-drugs record - saying the President had turned the message 'Just say No' into 'Just Say Nothing'.

Muscling in on the Democrats' party in Chicago, Bob Dole arrived at a Republican picnic just outside the city to launch a savage attack on his opponent Bill Clinton.

Dole supporters were out in force to hear him launch another salvo in the battle for the White House.

The Republican presidential candidate accused Clinton of going soft on drugs.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"So I would just say if you watch the Democratic convention next few days, you'll probably hear that song they always play, 'Happy Days Are Here Again'. When I'm in the White House, the song I'll dedicate to drug dealers in America is, 'The Party's Over'. The party's over for drug dealers. We can change the status quo, we can win the war. We've got to start the war on drugs. President Clinton surrendered, as I said. He ran up the white flag. He didn't do anything. I bet he thinks of something between now and election day, but he hasn't done anything yet."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

Sunday's Republican get together had been planned for some time but Dole decided to attend only last week.

Before he arrived, the picnickers did their best to put on a show for their candidate and the press.

While they may be outnumbered in Chicago this week, the Republicans are intent on being heard.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There's a tremendous base out here. There was no mention really of the Convention at all. I don't think it was to upstage the Convention at all."

SUPER CAPTION: Republican Party Picnicker

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm sure Bob Dole came here today because this week in Chicago the Democrats are meeting and he's got to steal a little thunder. The Democrats did it out in San Diego a couple weeks ago and its only right that turn about is fair play. So, that's politics in the United States today."

SUPER CAPTION: Republican Party Picnicker

Even though the event was casual, Dole's tone was far from it.

If elected, he declared he would boost spending on the war on drugs and increase the role of the military in stopping drugs before they entered the country.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"In the Dole administration we're going to return to what works. We're gonna replace the President's inattention to dangerous drugs with a clear and forceful policy of zero tolerance. That's zero tolerance."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

Before he left, on his way west to the state of Oregon, Dole had some advice for the Democrats in Chicago - "Have a good time- and vote Republican".

Palos Park, Illinois, USA, 25 August 1996

1. Wide shot balloons being released. Tilts down to crowd.

2. Crowd waving, plastic effigy of Bob Dole middle of frame.

3. Bob Dole "I love you, man" poster.

4. Medium shot supporters waving banners.

5. Bob Dole greeting crowd, shaking hands.

6. Cut-away, people with posters in crowd.

7. Medium shot, Dole on platform, crowd in foreground.

8. Single-shot, Elizabeth Dole, wife, applauding.

9. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole

10. Tight shot, people being served food at picnic.

11. Various people queuing for food.

12. Wide shot, posters supporting congressional candidates.

13. SOUNDBITE: Picnicker

14. SOUNDBITE: Picnicker

15. Wide shot, crowd plus podium

16. Tight shot, people listening

17. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole

18. Bob Dole leaving, smiling and shaking hands.

English/Nat

Nine out of ten American voters haven't changed their minds about who'll vote for in the Presidential elections after watching the two main challengers debate on coast-to-coast television.

Opinion polls stack up in favour of Bill Clinton as the victor of the first face-to-face T-V showdown -- though analysts and voters alike agree challenger Bob Dole did better than expected.

Bob Dole came out still punching this morning though he admits he's not sure if he did enough in the debate to woo voters.

But his campaign team is convinced the Republican challenger is no longer on the ropes.

The next stage in the Republican strategy is to literally take that message on the road.

The Dole for President bus was revved up and ready to go from Connecticut to New Jersey today -- the question is can it complete the journey to the White House.

Being filmed with young voters is the stuff of political textbooks -- but amongst those already old enough to vote, the Dole bandwagon may still have to step up a gear.

The view on the streets of Washington D-C this morning was mixed as to who won and who lost the opening debate; but most agreed they heard nothing to switch they way they intended to vote.

SOUNDBITE:

"Actually I think their performances were pretty much as I expected, so I think Clinton certainly came off better."

SUPERCAPTION: VOXPOP

SOUNDBITE:

"No, I was for Dole before and I'd vote still for Dole."

Q: How did you rate his performance?

"I thought he came off as a real person, as a caring person and with a good sense of humour."

SUPERCAPTION: VOXPOP

SOUNDBITE:

"Well I'm happy to hear and read in the paper that they're focusing on the issues and not talking about each other's personalities or backgrounds - so I think that's a good thing."

Q: Have the events in the last 24 hours changed your mind on how you're going to vote?

"No they haven't."

Q: Who are you going to vote for?

"Clinton."

SUPERCAPTION: VOXPOP

Political analyst Stephen Hess says he believes Bob Dole missed a golden opportunity.

SOUNDBITE:

"We've all lived with Bill Clinton for 4 years, we know whether we like him and why, whether we don't like him - nothing Dole was going to do in 90 minutes was going to change us on that, but Dole could have done a lot to tell us about himself in the way of how he saw the future and I think that would have made a difference and he didn't."

SUPER CAPTION: Stephen Hess, Political analyst.

Clinton left Connecticut with the cheers of the converted ringing in his ears -- he may not have scored a knock-out punch on his opponent but he's still ahead on points with most of the judges.

Hartford, Connecticut, & Washington, DC, USA October 7th, 1996

Hartford, Connecticut

1. Wide view of Dole's hotel

2. Wide view of Dole's campaign bus

3. Close views of flags and signs on bus

4. Mid-view Bob and Elizabeth Dole leaving hotel, greeting crowd

5. Cutaway hotel staff

6. Bob Dole with campaign worker and 5 week old son

7. Wide view of Dole campaign bus leaving

Washington, DC

8. Wide view of White House, people walking past

9. SOUNDBITE: Vox pop

10. Mid view crowd walking past White House

11. SOUNDBITE: Vox Pop

12. SOUNDBITE: Vox Pop

13. Walk in view of analyst Stephen Hess

14. SOUNDBITE: Stephen Hess, political analyst, Brookings Institution.

Hartford, Conneticut

15. Wide view of hotel where Clinton stayed

16. Mid-view of crowd waiting for Clinton to depart

17. Close-up view of cars departing

18. Wide view of convoy

English/Nat

Bob Dole, the Republican candidate in the U-S presidential elections, has been pushing up to the last minute, despite President Clinton's lead in the opinion polls.

Right-winger Dole continued to attack Clinton's character when he spoke at his last rally in Independence, Missouri.

The Presidential and First Lady hopefuls kept smiling in the early hours of Tuesday morning as Bob Dole's 96-hour campaign blitz reached Independence, Missouri.

Republican supporters cheered on Bob and Elizabeth Dole, despite President Bill Clinton's double digit opinion poll lead.

But the 73-year-old put on a show for the 25-hundred cheering supporters and believed his campaign blitz had given him a real chance of beating Clinton.

His main message was the he could be trusted unlike Clinton, but it was not his only topic.

SOUNDBITE:

"And I will give working parents the opportunity to send their children to a school of their choice, their choice. No child in America should be forced to attend a bad or dangerous school."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

Dole was then off towards his hometown of Russell, Kansas, where he and Elizabeth were due to vote before heading to Washington D-C to see the results coming in.

Even if Dole fails to clinch the presidency, Republicans are hoping they will retain control of the Congress.

Independence, Missouri, 5 November 1996

1. Bob and Elizabeth Dole waving

2. Pan: Supporters with placards and pom-poms cheering

3. Bob and Elizabeth Dole waving, Dole dancing with thumbs up

4. Pan and zoom in supporters cheering

5. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate (over wide and side shot)

6. Various: supporters cheering

7. Mid: Dole chatting with and shaking supporters' hands

English/Nat

Elizabeth Dole, the first woman to run a high level U-S presidential campaign, dropped out of the Republican race Wednesday.

In a speech in Washington she said a lack of money doomed her candidacy.

Her departure leaves Texas Governor George W. Bush, Arizona Senator John McCain and conservative millionaire Steve Forbes at the top of the running for the Republican candidate.

She's the fifth Republican candidate to pull of the race.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I've learned that the current political calendar in election laws favour those who get an early start, and can tap into huge private fortunes, or who have a pre-existing network of political supporters. Steve Forbes has unlimited resources, Governor Bush has raised over 60-million dollars amd has about 40-million dollars on hand. Both are starting to run T-V adds next week. I told Bob that this time the odds are overwhelming. It would be futile to continue, and he reluctantly agreed."

SUPERCAPTION: Elizabeth Dole

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think what we've done is pave the way for the person who will be the first woman president. And I'm just delighted at what has happened because I feel like we have really made a great contribution."

SUPERCAPTION: Elizabeth Dole

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Other women will follow her and some day, someone because of her example, a woman, will be president of the US. I regret her having to leave because of money. This battle should be about ideas and not about bucks. So I regret that she's gone, the campaign will be less interesting and less informative to the American people."

SUPERCAPTION: Senator John McCain

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"She has a kind of experience that's different from that of any other person running , her work in the cabinet and in the Red Cross, and I think it's a loss to the Republican Party and a loss to the country that she couldn't go forward."

SUPERCAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton.

XFA Washington D-C

Washington - March 10 1999

1. Elizabeth Dole waving to crowd about to announce she's running for Republican Presidential candidate.

Iowa - August 15 1999

2. Elizabeth Dole appearing at the Iowa straw poll

Iowa - August 14 1999

3. Texas governor and Republican Presidential hopeful George W. Bush

Washington - October 20 1999

4. Elizabeth Dole walking up to podium and thanking crowd.

5. Cutaway of press

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Elizabeth Dole

7. Side view of Elizabeth Dole

8. Cutaway of press

9. Side view of Elizabeth Dole

10. SOUNDBITE: (English)

File

11. Bush supporters

12. George W. Bush - Republican presidential candidate hopeful at podium thanking supporters

Iowa - August 14 1999

13. Steve Forbes, another Republican presidential candidate hopeful

14. Steve Forbes signing books for supporters

Washington - October 20 1999

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Arizona Senator John McCain, another Republican presidential candidate hopeful.

California - July 1996

15. Elizabeth and Bob Dole at the 1996 Republican Convention

Pool - Washington - October 20 1999

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) US president Bill Clinton

Washington - October 20 1999

17. Elizabeth and Bob Dole after she announced she had quit the running.

English/Nat

On the second day of his ninety-six hour multi-state final campaign tour Bob Dole continued to go after President Clinton for what he called a violation of the public trust.

In his home state of Arkansas on Saturday, President Clinton fought back, listing his accomplishments while accusing his opponent of practising the politics of division.

Residents of Essington, Pennsylvania got up early Saturday morning to catch a glimpse of the Republican presidential nominee as he made his way through a gruelling ninety-six hour nonstop campaign tour.

Stopping in restaurants and diners along the way, Bob Dole is hoping to appeal to the mainstream voters that make up much of the electorate here.

Two masked jokesters left over from Halloween took the opportunity to mimic the two candidates. Just who they supported was not clear.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There he is...the next President of the United States, he'll be taking over for me...I'll be watching it on cable TV . They got it there in Leavenworth prison, now."

SUPER CAPTION: "Bill Clinton", Mask

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Q: Are you scared of losing?

A: I'm definitely losing...there's no doubt about it!"

SUPER CAPTION: "Bob Dole", Mask

A recent Republican recruit, General Colin Powell, former Head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, introduced Dole to ecstatic Pennsylvania fans.

UPSOUND: (English)

"I'm confident he'll be a great President of the United States, and you should welcome him now...none other than Bob Dole!"

SUPERCAPTION: Colin Powell

Bob Dole continued to hammer away at his 15 percent tax cut proposal that he hopes will bring voters to his side.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And I know some people say...well, you know, we were promised that by that other guy...what's his name? Bill, yeah...And instead of a tax cut you got a big, fat tax increase to 265 billion dollars. But there's one difference...I'm not Bill Clinton, I'm Bob Dole."

SUPERCAPTION: Bob Dole/U-S Republican Presidential Candidate

The other big theme of the Dole campaign in the final weeks has been the question of President Clinton's character and public trust.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Public trust...public trust...public trust...do not violate the public trust...and that's what they've done for the last four years!"

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole/U-S Republican Presidential Candidate

Dole's whirlwind campaign tour included seven stops on Saturday, with Covington Kentucky stop number three..

Dole reportedly had not yet slept since his ninety-six hour tour began.

Appearing visibly tired, the 73-year old Republican candidate said only a few words, and turned the speech over to his wife Elizabeth.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Let me introduce the next First Lady...Elizabeth Dole...."

SUPERCAPTION: Bob Dole/U-S Republican Presidential Candidate

Elizabeth Dole took center stage and spoke about women's rights and the importance of family values.

Extending his coattails Saturday to home state Democrats one last time before Election Day, President Clinton treated a crowd of 3,000 people to a stump speech reminiscent of his days as a governor.

On a clear, crisp autumn afternoon, he flew to Arkansas between trips to Texas and Louisiana to rally support for Democrats in tight races for the U.S. House and Senate on the final weekend of the campaign.

A sea of red, white and blue Clinton-Gore signs greeted him, and the crowd chanted "Clinton-Gore, Four More."

In his speech, Clinton rattled off a list of his accomplishments in lowering the deficit, reducing the crime rate, creating jobs, passing health care reform, and preserving Medicare and education funding.

Sporting cowboy boots from Texas, Clinton continued on a theme he talked about in San Antonio, forging a common ground and not practising politics of division.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"This is not about liberal and conservative. We have run by the far the most fiscally conservative. We've done more to stand against crime, and we've stuck up for this country by having a strong foreign policy. I think the record will stand on its own. This is not what it's about. This is about whether you want to be diverted and divided or whether we want to find common ground and build that bridge the 21st century together. You've got enough sense to talk to your friends and neighbours about that, between now and Tuesday. Don't let the people of Arkansas be diverted from the real issue. This country is better off, and this state is better off than it was four years ago, it's going to be better off four years from now if we stay on the right track to build that bridge to the 21st century. Thank you, and God bless you all.

SUPERCAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

Just three days before American voters go to the polls, national opinion surveys show Clinton hanging onto a double digit lead, but with Reform Party candidate Ross Perot gaining some ground...with eight to twelve percent.

2 November 1996, Essington and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Covington, Kentucky; Little Rock, Arkansas

Essington, Pennsylvania APTV

1. Dole supporters outside Lagoon restaurant, Essington, PA

2. "Dole" and "Clinton" masked men chatting

Philadelphia APTV

3. Colin Powell introduces Bob Dole

4. Dole walks onto stage

5. Dole supporters

6. Close up Powell

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dole

8. Supporters cheering and waving signs

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dole

Covington, Kentucky, APTV

10. Crowd at Dole rally in Covington, Kentucky

11. Bob and Elizabeth Dole walk onto stage at rally

12. Various crowd shots at Dole Rally

13. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole introduces Elizabeth Dole

14. Crowd Shot at rally

Little Rock, Arkansas APTV

15. Clinton walks to podium

16. Clinton on podium greets crowd

17. WS of crowd

18. TS Clinton's cowboy boots

19. Pan to Clinton

20. Girl with Clinton/Gore sign

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Clinton

22 WS of crowd and streamers

English/Nat

Bob Dole's voice is beginning to give out two-thirds of the way through his marathon 96 hour campaign tour ahead of Tuesday's U-S election, and there are doubts his voice will last until noon Tuesday.

The Republican challenger for the White House still trails President Bill Clinton in all the nationwide opinion polls.

Dole will continue his tour in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas before ending with a final campaign rally in Kansas City, Missouri. (correct).

He will then return to his native state of Kansas to vote in Tuesday's presidential poll.

Another wave - another crowd in yet another town as the Dole bandwagon, sounding a little hoarse now, rolls on towards Tuesday's U-S election.

This was Loma Linda in southern California - another chance for Bob Dole and Jack Kemp to preach to the converted and to get the message across on coast to coast television.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We are going to go around the clock - around the clock until noon on Tuesday and we are going to make a difference - we are going to prevail because the American people have had enough - they've had enough."

SUPERCAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

But the polls suggest they haven't had enough of Bill Clinton and World War Two veteran Bob Dole is now has the fight of his life on his hands.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Now - I haven't fought for my country round the clock since I fought the Nazis in Italy in 1945, but I believe the stakes are just as important today."

SUPERCAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

But behind the political hoopla - a mammoth effort is going on amongst Republican party members to get voters to the polls.

Dole joined volunteers in San Diego to lend a helping hand manning the telephones - and seemed pleased with the result.

Outside the Methodist church in San Diego, Dole enjoyed another boisterous ovation.

But with an eighteen point gap between him and President Bill Clinton in the opinion polls he may need divine intervention as well as the helping hands of supporters if he is to achieve an upset in Tuesday's election.

Various: California (3 November 1996)

Loma Linda, CA

1. Dole and Liddy Dole getting off bus in Loma Linda, CA

2. Cutaway crowd

3. Various: crowd and Dole and Kemp

4. Liddy Dole clapping near Dole

5. Various: Dole at podium

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Dole

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Dole

9. Wide shot crowd and platform

10. Tight shot Dole saying thank you pull back to show ticker tape

11. Wide shot balloons being released

12. Dole and Liddy Dole throwing baseball caps

San Diego, CA

13. Crowd outside 'Get Out the Vote' phone bank

14 Dole on phone asking voters to vote

15 Cutaway other volunteers

16. Dole on phone

San Diego, California

17. Various: Dole at San Diego church

18. Dole with supporters outside church

English/Nat

Who holds the key to the White House?

In this year's U-S Presidential race the answer apparently is women.

Thirty years ago the crucial swing voter was a white, male factory worker. In 1996, that has changed.

Both candidates are wooing suburban, conservative, working mothers.

And President Clinton is winning the "battle of the sexes".

Fresh evidence to that effect Thursday morning -- a Wall Street Journal opinion poll shows he has a 24 percent lead among women voters.

It comes on the day the Democrats will use the wife of deceased Commerce Secretary Ron Brown to launch their final "Get out the Vote" push among women.

This is America's most wanted - the floating voter.

A working mother who fits in time with her kids when she can.

A voter who hasn't decided yet who she is voting for on November 5.

In Florida her vote could be crucial. A vote that could swing

this traditionally Republican state Democrat.

Nationally President Clinton is way ahead of Bob Dole in the race for the women's vote.

UPSOT: Baseball strike

In suburban Largo, mums faithfully turn out to watch their kids play in Little League.

And the politicians are competing to woo women through their children; their policies aimed at making life a little easier for the hard-pressed mum.

Dole is offering a 500 dollar tax credit per child and help with student loans.

Clinton's signed a bill guaranteeing new mothers 48 hours in hospital after giving birth.

And so far it is the President that is making all the running.

SOUNDBITE:

"I have weighed both sides and I have decided that I am happier with his stand on most issues than I am with Dole. I do have a problem with the veto of the partial birth abortion issue. I am really having a

problem with that but overall when I had to add up the point score I decided that he came out ahead."

SUPER CAPTION: Ann O'Lone, Voting for Clinton

SOUNDBITE:

"I agree with Clinton - my husband would shoot me for that, he is in the military and very against Clinton - but I feel we are a little better off now than we were 4 years ago. Dole, I'm not sure, I'm just not too sure about him. "

SUPER CAPTION: Laura Nelson, Voting for Clinton

SOUNDBITE:

"It feels pretty good knowing I can go to work, come to the ball game and stuff like that. I feel he's(Clinton) made it easier for working mums."

SUPER CAPTION: Liz Jones, Voting for Clinton

SOUNDBITE:

"Of the two I feel that Clinton is a lot closer to the average American ideals, but I really don't feel that either of them is living the ordinary American."

SUPER CAPTION: Cathie Chapman, Undecided Voter

UPSOT:" Dole, Kemp, Dole, Kemp"

Putting their best foot forward for Dole, the polls suggest these women are not on the path to victory.

But you would have trouble convincing them of that.

Historically women lean towards the Democrats, but Dole can't wholly blame his party for his negative rating.

Republican Ronald Reagan narrowly won among women twice. It is Dole's age -73- and his lacklustre style that work against him.

But his loyal supporters believe the character issue will swing some votes. It has already.

SOUNDBITE:

"I am a registered Democrat but I have changed my mind about voting for Clinton. I don't feel he has a good moral character."

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop.

SOUNDBITE:

"Women are always looking for someone to trust and I have troubles even believing that any of them will trust Clinton."

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop.

SOUNDBITE:

"He's a man (Dole) that is trustworthy, a man of character which we desperately need in this country. Somebody that our children can look up to."

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop.

UPSOT: Liz Dole " and that means...."

Recognising his problem with women, Dole has despatched his First Lieutenant into the field.

Elizabeth Dole has been campaigning as hard as her husband to drum up support on November 5.

But it doesn't appear to be working. Clinton still has a double digit lead.

SOUNDBITE:

"It is not so much Dole as a candidate, though that may have some sort of impact, but it is mainly the combination of the policies of the Republican and Dole parties. Women find Democratic policies much more attractive than Republican policies."

SUPER CAPTION: Professor James Monroe, University of Miami

The presidential race might have been as close as this one if it weren't for Dole's abysmal rating with women.

With men, the candidates are neck and neck.

Loreen Hackman is disillusioned. She might not vote this year.

She definitely won't be voting for Clinton.

SOUNDBITE:

"He's done nothing, the last three and a half years and now right before the election. He's decided to get busy and make himself look good and do all kinds of things and wasted three and a half

years doing nothing, but talking and promising.

SUPER CAPTION: Loreen Hackman, Disillusioned voter

As this election campaign draws to an end, the sun could be about to set on Dole's political career.

It doesn't look like he'll be plotting policy in the White House, rather planning his retirement.

St Petersburg, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Largo- Florida, U-S 23 October 1996

1. Pull focus mum and daughter in sea

2. beach scene

3. WS speedboat zooms past yacht

4. boy poised to hit baseball

5. WS baseball game

6. First base and kid running up

7. WS Ann O'Lone yelling

8. SOUNDBITE: Ann O'Lone

9. SOUNDBITE: Laura Nelson

10. SOUNDBITE: Liz Jones

11. SOUNDBITE: Cathie Chapman

12. WS Stroll for Dole

13. WS women marchers across lake

14. SOUNDBITE: Voxpop

15. SOUNDBITE: Voxpop

16. SOUNDBITE: Voxpop

17. UPSOT: Elizabeth Dole addresses luncheon

18. Cutaway women looking at Mrs Dole

19. WS luncheon meeting

20. SOUNDBITE: Professor Monroe

21. WS Flagler Dog Track/dogs leave traps

22. greyhounds turn corner

23. Loreen Hackman watching race

24. greyhounds at end of race

25. SOUNDBITE: Loreen Hackman

26. WS sunset, palm tree foreground

27. WS sunset and yacht passing through

KEYWORDS: WOMEN'S ISSUES

Eng/Spanish/Nat

On the eve of the American presidential election, both Clinton and Dole are pulling out all the stops to rally support for their parties.

President Clinton was in New Hampshire Monday morning, a state which has had special meaning for the president ever since it helped him revive his fading hopes four years ago.

Republican candidate, Bob Dole, had still not given up hope as he plunged into a six- state final campaign dash, nursing a raspy throat but asserting he was overtaking President Clinton in the homestretch of their campaign marathon.

The Republican campaign machine stepped up a gear as election day drew closer, Monday.

Drawing on their last reserves of stamina presidential candidate Bob Dole and his wife Elizabeth continued their nonstop whirlwind tour of the states drumming up last minute support.

Ecstatic crowds greeted them at a predawn rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Monday, where the couple arrived straight from a midnight rally in Sacramento, California.

Entertainment and music was provided by the Oakridge Boys band as the Republican couple stopped to say hello to some of their supporters at a local diner.

Despite the punishing schedule, Dole appeared full of energy as he continued his almost 'round-the-clock' campaign blitz to Election Day.

He told the crowd it was not too late for Clinton to join the winning team.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And I saw a few Clinton/Gore signs. We want to welcome them to the Republican Party. (cheers) And they will get the tax cut, we're not going to leave anybody behind, we're not going to discriminate, and even Bill Clinton will get the tax cut if he leaves his forwarding address when he leaves the White House in January."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate

And Dole warned the gathered supporters that although both parties had made mistakes, the Democrats would be making the biggest one of all.

Surrounded by the press Dole popped in for a hot drink at the local diner, and greeted the voters there declaring that everything could change at the eleventh hour.

Meanwhile, the Republicans were out wooing the Hispanic voters on the campaign trail in California.

There are four million Hispanic voters in this year's presidential election - 1.5 million more than in 1992 due to a naturalisation programme.

SOUNDBITE: (English/Spanish)

"I checked with Chichi about the word in español for fear is "miedo" Bill Clinton is the President "el miedo", no mas "el miedo"

SUPER CAPTION: Jack Kemp, Republican vice-presidential candidate

Polls indicate that over 80 percent of Hispanics are backing the Democrats - the Republicans went all out to win them over to their camp.

SOUNDBITE: (English/Spanish)

"The word for lies is "mentiras" - no mas "mentiras" under Bob Dole."

SUPER CAPTION: Jack Kemp - Republican vice-presidential candidate

Meanwhile, weary but seemingly unworried, President Clinton marched toward the end of his last campaign Monday with a sentimental stop in New Hampshire, the state that helped revive his fading presidential hopes four years ago.

Bringing the campaign full circle, Clinton was up early for breakfast with several dozen of his early supporters from New Hampshire's 1992 primary.

Later he told a gathered crowd he was in the perfect place for the last day of his campaign.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"A couple of weeks ago we were trying to plan how we would end this campaign - I hope I can say this without cracking up - and I said I would like to begin the last day of my last campaign in New Hampshire."

SUPER CAPTION: President Bill Clinton, Democrat presidential candidate

Clinton, who has had a clear lead in the polls throughout the election race, is determined his rival will not keep him from a second term in office.

And the enthusiasm and reaction of supporters in New Hampshire was a clear indication of the President's continuing popularity as he spent the last hours of his campaign trying to make sure his supporters go to the polls.

To the cheering crowd Clinton said a special thank you to those who backed his previous campaign, hoping for their continued support.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"God Bless you New Hampshire. Thank you and see you tomorrow."

SUPER CAPTION: President Bill Clinton, democrat presidential candidate

Clinton and his team will be stopping off at several more locations before flying home to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he will vote and await word on who will be the next president of the United States.

Phoenix, Arizona and Manchester, New Hampshire, 4 November 1996

Phoenix

1. Pan of Dole supporters

2. Mid shot of Oakridge Boys band singing

3. Wide shot of crowd

4. Wide shot of Bob and Elizabeth Dole

5. Cutaway of diner sign

6. Zoom in to Dole surrounded by crowd

7. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole, republican presidential candidate

8. Wide shot of crowd

9. Cutaway of press

11. Cutaway inside the diner

12. Wideshot Jack Kemp during campaign rally

Sacramento, California

13. SOUNDBITE: Jack Kemp, republican vice-presidential candidate

14. Cutaway supporters dressed in baseball kits waving

15. SOUNDBITE: Jack Kemp, republican vice-presidential candidate

16. Cutaway cheering crowds

Manchester

13. Shot of Bill Clinton greeting people and giving a supporter a hug

14. Cutaway of supporters

15. Mid shot of Clinton

16. Wide shot of supporters waving banners

17. Wide shot of Clinton on the stage

18. Cutaway of crowd

19. SOUNDBITE: Bill Clinton, democrat presidential candidate

20. Various cutaways of crowd

21. Wide shot of Clinton on stage

22. Cutaway of crowd

23. SOUNDBITE: Clinton, democrat presidential candidate

24. Pullout to wide shot of crowd with music playing

English/Nat

In the U-S Republican presidential campaign there are four women whose campaign is just as important as those of the men they married.

One of these women could be the new First Lady of the United States if their husbands go on to defeat U-S President Bill Clinton in the next election.

APTV takes a closer look at the women behind the Republican presidential hopefuls.

Bob Dole has Elizabeth.

Pat Buchanan has Shelly

Steve Forbes has Sabina

And Lamar Alexander has Honey..

They are the wives of the candidates running for the Republican presidential nomination - running mates for life.

They are helpmates, advisors, props.

And they are all standing by their men in the race for the White House.

In 1992 Bill Clinton told crowds that by electing him, they were also getting his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton in the bargain.

While this went over well with Democrats, moods quickly soured when Mrs. Clinton was seen overstepping her traditional role as First Lady.

Since then, Mrs. Clinton's high visibility has spurred a backlash against her.

Republicans campaigning this year have carefully tried to appear with their wives but do not promise that they will have posts in their administrations.

SOUNDBITE:

"When I get there, I've made a final decision. This is the individual I'm going to nominate to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton."

SUPER CAPTION: Pat Buchanan

SOUNDBITE:

"When she becomes First Lady she's going to go back and work at the Red Cross, which I think sends a powerful statement. Just because your husband or your spouse gets elected to President of the United States, you don't have to hang around the White House. And I think that's an important statement. And conversely when she gets elected President. I don't have to hang around the White House. So I think that's got some merit too."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole

Elizabeth Dole has the deepest connection to Washington.

She once held the post of Transportation Secretary under George Bush and has taken a leave of absence as the head of the American Red Cross to promote her husband along the campaign trail.

SOUNDBITE:

"He is running because the Unites States needs a president who knows what made this country great in the first place, who knows what's been sacrificed to keep us free, someone who will do all in his power to lead America back to her place in the sun. And Bob Dole knows the way."

SUPER CAPTION: Elizabeth Dole

None of the candidates have matched Bill Clinton's declaration that a vote for him was also a vote for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

New Hampshire, U-S-A

Milford 19th February

1. Bob and Elizabeth Dole walking in street

Manchester 18th February

2. Doles walking into church

3. Pat and Shelly Buchanan at breakfast

4. Cutaway press pan back to the Buchanans

Portsmouth 19th February

5. Lamar and Honey Alexander walking

Manchester 18th February

6. Sabina Forbes exits elevator

Nashua 18th February

7. Buchanan rally

8. SOUNDBITE: Buchanan

Rochester 19th February

9. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole

Manchester 16th February

10. Wide shot Christian Coalition dinner

11. SOUNDBITE: Elizabeth Dole

12. Various Doles at campaign rally in Derry

KEYWORDS: WOMEN'S ISSUES

English/Nat

In carnival tents filled with free food and music, Republican presidential candidates courted Iowa voters on Saturday in an informal poll that could reshape the GOP field.

The nine presidential candidates are hoping for a strong finish in the non-binding straw poll.

Outside the convention hall where thousands are expected to vote, the hopefuls have set up tents offering cold drinks, hot food and live bands.

Front-runner, Texas governor George W. Bush, and eight other White House hopefuls, poured (m) millions of dollars and spent hundreds of hours in this initial caucus state to test the potency of their political operations.

One candidate, Senator John McCain of Arizona, called the non-binding poll a "sham" and refused to go.

Any Iowa resident with a ticket can vote.

Tickets cost 25 dollars each, but the campaign teams will buy them for anybody who asks.

While many in Iowa will be spending time at the State Fair, candidates like Elizabeth Dole are hoping to distract the voters with personal appearances.

Dole traditionally draws crowds stocked with the young, and professional women.

Saturday's poll was a test for her of whether they were serious political supporters.

For Bush, the Iowa outing was an opportunity to solidify his lead.

A confident Bush, introducing his wife Laura as "the next first lady of the United States," told supporters that the Republican party is ready to welcome new faces and voices.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm running because I want our political party to match a conservative mind with a compassionate heart."

SUPER CAPTION: G.W. Bush, Texas Governor and Republican Presidential candidate

Bush and millionaire conservative Steve Forbes spent the most money, raising expectations of a battle for first place.

Forbes hopes to prove that he can convert his money, message and work into an impressive number of votes.

Political analysts predict if Forbes can not get the votes in this money-driven straw poll, questions are certain to be asked about his prospects down the line.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle set his expectations low for Saturday, but knew that finishing behind lesser-known conservatives would cause political trouble.

Dole and Lamar Alexander needed strong showings to remain as viable potential alternatives to Bush.

Television commentator Pat Buchanan, Washington activist Gary Bauer, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, radio broadcaster Alan Keyes and Quayle have struggled to emerge as the strongest social conservative candidate.

Iowa voters seemed enthusiastic about the straw poll, but seemed to hedge their bets on who they would be casting a vote for.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We've never been here before, we are here to learn about it. We are kind of excited. Its a great day in Iowa."

SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And I'm just kinda down here trying to get a feel for all of them and see which one I do want to vote for."

SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We plan on seeing all the candidates, which I think its an excellent opportunity to do that."

SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

There's only one catch to this poll - not only is it unscientific, it's also unpredictable.

Not once has the straw poll winner gone on to win the party nomination.

But the stakes are high because it's seen as a test of the candidates' vote-getting power.

But for those who dont do well, it could be the beginning of the end.

Ames, Iowa, USA, August 13 & 14, 1999

August 14, 1999

1. Pan of people lining up

2. Close-up bus of Orrin Hatch supporters arriving

3. Close-up of car with Dole signs, turning around

4. Pan view of Forbes balloon to tents

5. Close-up of Quayle sign

August 13, 1999

6. Pan from pig, to family watching

7. Close-up Elizabeth Dole walking down steps

8. Close-up Dole shaking hands

9. Pan up from Dole to sign

10. Mid view G.W. Bush on front porch of farm

11. Wide view of Bush

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Texas Governor and Republican Presidential candidate

13. Mid view Bush with supporters

14. Close-up Bush shaking hands

15. Pan view from cameras to Bush standing with supporters

August 14, 1999

16. Close-up of Bush tee-shirt

17. Close-up of sign inside Buchanan tent

18. Close-up people holding Buchanan signs

19. Close-up woman getting food in Forbes tent

20. Wide view of Forbes tent

21. Close-up views of Steve Forbes signing autographs

22. Pan view of Forbes surrounded by people

23. Close-up view of man getting Forbes 'tattoo'

24. Close-up views candidate Dan Quayle shaking hands

25. Top view of Quayle talking to woman

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox Pop

27. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox Pop

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox Pop

29. Close-up view of vote sign

30. Close-up views of people voting

English/Nat

Former Republican presidential candidate Elizabeth Dole endorsed George W. Bush on Tuesday for her party's presidential nomination.

Dole asserted that the Texas governor would restore trust to the White House.

The endorsement has increased speculation that if Bush earns the nomination, he'll ask Dole to be his running mate for the Whitehouse.

George W. Bush used to be her main rival, but now Elizabeth Dole is throwing her support behind the Republican Presidential front-runner.

Dole made her surprise announcement in Bedford New Hampshire on Tuesday.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I am supporting George Bush for president because he has outlined a realistic, achievable plan to cut taxes and to guarantee the future for social security."

SUPER CAPTION: Elizabeth Dole, Republican

Dole, whose own campaign floundered in October due to lack of campaign cash, told a cheering crowd of about 350 people at a restaurant that the G-O-P (Grand Old Party) should rally to "another western governor" in Bush, just as the party did in 1980 for Ronald Reagan, the former California chief executive.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"In a time when civility has all been vanished from the political arena, he stands out as a leader who would much rather bridge our differences than exploit them. Is it any surprise that he, like Ronald Reagan before him, has shown a remarkable ability to attract support from voters who have not often flocked to the G-O-P; two thirds of Texas women, half its Hispanics. Nearly thirty percent of its African American and democrat voters endorsed his re-election. In other words, those who knows him best admire him most."

SUPER CAPTION: Elizabeth Dole

Dole's endorsement was aimed at strengthening ties with female voters - who have traditionally been a source of Democratic strength.

But Bush has an impressive track record.

In his first race for governor, he successfully wooed nearly half the female voters - against a woman, Democratic Govenor Ann Richards.

In his 1998 re-election, he increased that figure to more than 60 percent.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm ready for the contest. I'm ready to fight for every single vote. I am ready for a contest of ideas. I'm ready for a contest of trust. I'm ready to campaigning my heart out in this important state. And, I appreciate you standing by my side."

SUPER CAPTION: George Bush

Bush, who is frequently asked if he might choose Dole as a running mate, called her an articulate and capable woman and also invoked Reagan, whom she served as transportation secretary.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm really pleased such an articulate and capable woman has endorsed my campaign. Elizabeth Dole is a leader in our country, she is a leader in our party. She is admired and respected all across our country and deservedly so. Elizabeth, you've always said that you have been a lieutenant in Ronald Reagan's army. I'm proud to have you General in mine. "

SUPER CAPTION: George Bush

After picking up Dole's endorsement four weeks before the New Hampshire primary, Bush headed to Iowa to campaign for votes in advance of the Jan 24th presidential caucuses there.

Meanwhile, Bush's chief rival for the 2000 G-O-P nomination, Senator John McCain of Arizona, maintained his focus on New Hampshire with a gruelling schedule of town hall meetings.

Recent polls have shown McCain leading Bush in the state, although Bush maintains a sizeable lead in national surveys.

XFA Bedford, New Hampshire, U-S - January 4, 2000

1. Wide Shot of Elizabeth Dole at podium

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Elizabeth Dole

3. Wide Shot Dole and George Bush at podium

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Elizabeth Dole

5. George W. Bush at Podium

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush

7. Wide shot Dole and Bush congratulating each other

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush

9. Wide Shot Bush and Dole coming down the podium

English/Nat

Republican presidential hopeful, Steve Forbes, has made a pitch for support from the U-S Christian Coalition at the organisation's conference in Washington.

Forbes is the latest in a succession of potential presidential candidates canvassing for the endorsement of the group's two (m) million members.

His speech on Saturday followed Friday's appeals to the Christian Coalition by George Bush Junior and Elizabeth Dole.

With his family by his side, Steve Forbes received a warm welcome from the Christian Coalition in Washington on Saturday.

The Republican presidential candidate is hoping to increase his profile by winning the support of the 3-thousand-500 delegates at this two-day "Road to Victory" conference.

He wants to capitalise on Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson's claim that the group is being rejuvenated by conservative disgust with President Bill Clinton.

To a howl of approval, Forbes rallied the conference against Clinton.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"As you know the clock is ticking. In 477 days Bill Clinton will no longer be President of the United States."

SUPER CAPTION: Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

Forbes flexed his financial muscle by lambasting the present U-S taxation system, which he wants to reform.

If elected, he also plans radical changes to U-S relations with international financial institutions.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Let me be blunt about the IMF (International Monetary Fund). If and when I become President, it's going to Jurassic Park."

SUPER CAPTION: Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

Forbes also took a swipe at Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, who gave an interview to Playboy magazine saying organised religion was a "sham".

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"You may have heard the explanation from the Governor that when he attacked what he called organised religion, allegedly he was angry they were standing in the way of legalised prostitution. Now, here we have the American people grappling with first principles and Jesse Ventura is worried about legalised prostitution. It makes you wonder if organised wrestling should require participants in the future to wear protective helmets."

SUPER CAPTION: Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

Testimony to the Christian Coalition's lingering power is the fact that its conference has drawn six of this season's eight Republican presidential candidates.

Forbes said he was ready to take on his rivals for the nomination.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"George W. Bush, it's time to debate. No more ducking, no more dodging, no more waffling. I call for five debates, several hours each, substantive debates so the American people can see what we believe, why we believe it and most important, or just as important, who will have the backbone, the courage, the determination to make positive things happen and not go along with the Beltway flow."

SUPER CAPTION: Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

Apart from Forbes, George Bush Junior and Elizabeth Dole, Gary Bauer, Alan Keyes and Orrin Hatch have all appeared at the Christian Coalition conference in the past two days.

Washington DC, USA - 2 October 1999

1. Mid shot Steve Forbes and family walking to podium

2. Wide shot Forbes and family waving to crowd

3. Wide shot of TV screen showing Forbes speaking

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

5. Close-ups of crowd clapping and cheering

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

7. Pan of people clapping and waving signs

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

9. Wide shot of audience applauding

10. Zoom in to Forbes speaking

11. Close-up man in audience holding sign

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Forbes, Republican presidential candidate

13. Close-up man waving sign

English/Nat

Elizabeth Dole, wife of 1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, announced her resignation from the American Red Cross Monday, apparently to pursue a potential White House bid of her own.

Dole headed the American Red Cross since 1991.

Republicans activists say she is a strong prospect for a vice presidential nomination whether or not she runs for president.

SUGGESTED STORY:

Speaking to hundreds of employees gathered in the Red Cross headquarters in Washington, Elizabeth Dole hinted at her aspirations.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I love the American Red Cross. But the Red Cross is now solid as a rock. And at this important time in our national life, I believe there may be another way for me to serve our country. The Red Cross has been a glorious mission field, but I believe there may be other duties yet to fulfill."

SUPER CAPTION: Elizabeth Dole, Outgoing American Red Cross President

Friends and allies said the 62-year-old Mrs. Dole didn't want to explore her presidential ambitions while still affiliated with the nonpartisan Red Cross.

While announcing her resignation, she carefully avoided directly stating her intentions.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I have not made definite plans about what I will do next. I didn't feel it was right to spend the time I owed to you thinking about anything but our work together. Soon, I will begin considering new paths and there are exciting possibilities. I will choose one and pursue it with all my might."

SUPER CAPTION: Elizabeth Dole, Outgoing American Red Cross President

Elizabeth Dole was a Cabinet member in two Republican administrations, serving as President Reagan's transportation secretary and President Bush's labor secretary.

Earlier she held staff positions in the White House and was a member of the Federal

Trade Commission.

Washington, DC, USA January 4, 1999 and File

1. Medium shot of Elizabeth Dole at podium, pulls in

2. Cutaway audience applauding

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Elizabeth Dole, Outgoing American Red Cross President

File

San Diego, California, USA August 15, 1996

4. Bob Dole at Republican Convention, hugging his wife

USA, November 3, 1996

5. Bob and Elizabeth Dole walking out of bus on campaign

Washington, DC, USA, June 17, 1996

6. Elizabeth and Diana walking out of ARC building

Washington, DC, USA January 4, 1999

7. Cutaway audience and press clapping at press conference

8. Elizabeth Dole at podium

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Elizabeth Dole, Outgoing American Red Cross President

10. Cutaway, audience clapping

11. Elizabeth Dole walking from podium, shaking hands

English/Nat

The man most likely to be the Republican Party's presidential candidate - Bob Dole - has announced that he is to resign as the party's leader in the Senate.

In a move that shocked Republican and Democrat politicians alike - Dole gave up the post he has held for 27 years to focus on his struggling election campaign.

Dole said his resignation would not take effect straight away - to give Senate Republicans time to find a new leader.

The presidential election is not until November but Bob Dole feels that he has to get his campaign rolling now if he is to stand a serious chance of beating Bill Clinton.

So he has decided to give up the role he has cherished for nearly three decades to concentrate on the Presidential campaign.

SOUNDBITE:

"And my time to leave this office has come. And I will seek the presidency with nothing but the judgement of the people and nowhere to go but the White house or home."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, U-S Senate Majority leader

Polls around the country show the Republican candidate an average of 20 percentage points behind US President Bill Clinton.

So Dole's Republicans colleagues have urged him to get his campaign underway.

SOUNDBITE:

"So today I announce that I will forego the privileges - not only of the office of the Majority Leader - but of the United States Senate itself from which I resign effective on or before June 11th. And I will then stand before you without office or authority - a private citizen, a Kansan, an American, just a man. But I will be the same man I was when I walked into this room, the same man I was yesterday and the day before and a long time ago when I rose from the hospital bed - and was permitted by the grace of God to walk again in the world. And I trust in the hard way for little has come to me except in the hard way - which is good because we have a hard task ahead of us."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, U-S Senate Majority leader

Dole - who is 72 - is running for president for a third time.

But he has been unable to close the gap with Clinton - which opened during the bitter competition for the Republican Party's nomination earlier this year.

Analysts say Dole had to convince the public that he had not given up on the race for the United States presidency.

SOUNDBITE:

"It is a sign of a realisation that if things don't change fairly quickly he may not be able to get back into a position to contend. In effect what Bob Dole has done is to step out on the tightrope and not just loosen the safety net beneath him but to cut it entirely to show people that he is in this to win and that he's going to do something far more dramatic to demonstrate that than anyone would have imagined."

SUPER CAPTION: Norm Orenstein, Political Analyst

Candidate Dole is expected to campaign in Illinois on Thursday and later in the week in North Carolina and Florida.

Mike McCurry, the White house spokesman, said that President Bill Clinton learned of the news a little over two hours before Senator Dole's resignation was made public.

SOUNDBITE:

"They spoke for five minutes and had a very warm, very personal conversation. The President said to Senator Dole that he has done a lot of things for his country and ought to be rightfully proud of his 35 years of service in the United States Congress and the President thanked Senator Dole for his service. He said he knew it must have been a very tough decision to make because the President knew that Senator Dole so loved the Senate and so loved the work that he did there."

SUPER CAPTION: Mike McCurry, White house spokesman

Prominent Republican Newt Gingrich says there weren't enough hours in the day for Dole to run the Senate and his Republican presidential campaign too.

SOUNDBITE:

"I was honestly surprised that he faced the challenge of being able to focus his time and energy on reaching out and communicating with the American people and being distracted by the day to day legislative process. He made a decisive commitment that his future lay in leading America and in being the President of the United States not in trying to do both jobs and I thought it was a very courageous decision."

SUPER CAPTION: Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House

With Dole soon to be free of his Senate duties - the Presidential campaign will now begin in earnest.

15 May 1996. Washington D-C, U-S-A and file

1. Wideshot Bob Dole arriving at press conference, applause of crowd.

2. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole - US Senate Majority leader.

3. Side view of Dole.

4. SOUNDBITE: Bob Dole - US Senate Majority leader.

5. File: Senator Dole campaigning in New York in March.

6. File: Senator Dole shaking hands & greeting people

7. SOUNDBITE: Norm Orenstein - Political Analyst.

8. Wide view Bob Dole being kissed by wife Elizabeth Dole and daughter Robin after press conference.

9. Wide shot White house spokesman Mike McCurry walks into briefing room.

10. SOUNDBITE: Mike McCurry - White house spokesman.

11. Cutaway of reporters

12. Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich arriving at briefing room.

13. Cutaway of photographer.

14. SOUNDBITE: Newt Gingrich - Speaker of the House.

15. Wide shot of Gingrich speaking to reporters.

English/Nat

A whirlwind of final weekend campaigning for U-S presidential candidates Bob Dole and Bill Clinton.

United States President Bill Clinton was in New Jersey helping his own campaign and helping out Democratic Senate candidate Bob Torricelli.

Bob Dole's voice is beginning to give out two-thirds of the way through his marathon 96 hour campaign tour ahead of Tuesday's U-S election, and there are doubts his voice will last until noon Tuesday.

Still trailing in the polls, Dole will continue his tour in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas before ending with a final campaign rally in Kansas City, Missouri.(correct).

He will then return to his native state of Kansas to vote in Tuesday's presidential poll.

President Clinton's double-digit lead over Bob Dole in presidential polls has diminished New Jersey's importance in the electoral question.

Four years ago, New Jersey was center stage in the presidential sweepstakes because its swing-state status made it a big prize in a close race.

New Jersey's role is somewhat less important this year because Republican nominee Bob Dole had to concentrate his efforts elsewhere to stay in the game in so many other states.

But President Clinton and Dole certainly didn't forget New Jersey this year. Clinton visited a half-dozen times since May including a rally in Union Township today.

As The President outlined his goals and aspirations for a second term in office, he enjoyed the support of a very popular actress.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Now, I know that's not a Dole-Sign I see. Oh now, wait a minute, wait a minute. You know what? You know, the great thing about this country is everybody is entitled to their opinion even if it's wrong."

SUPER CAPTION: Whoopi Goldberg, Actress

But the President hammered home the fact that the race is not won until all the votes are counted on Tuesday.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"The great difference here in this election is between those who believe that we're better off on our own and those of us who believe we're better off when all of us work to give each other the tools we need to make the most of our own lives and to build a better future together. I do believe as the First Lady said: it does take a village to raise a child, and to build a country and to build a future."

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

The village of Union Township was the scenario for Clinton's attempt to become the first Democratic President to win over New Jersey voters two consecutive times since Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

SOUNDBITE: English: "We don't care about what your racial, ethnic or religious background is. We don't need to know anything else about you. You are part of our America and we are going to build an even greater future for the greatest nation in human history. Give us a chance on Tuesday, give Bob Torricelli a chance on Tuesday, give yourselves a chance on Tuesday. We need you New Jersey. Thank You and bless you."

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

Another wave - another crowd in yet another town as the Dole bandwagon rolls on, sounding a little hoarse now, towards Tuesday's U-S election.

This was Loma Linda in southern California - another chance for Bob Dole and Jack Kemp to preach to the converted and to get the message across on coast to coast

television.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We are going to go around the clock - around the clock until noon on Tuesday and we are going to make a difference - we are going to prevail because the

American people have had enough - they've had enough."

SUPERCAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

But the polls suggest they haven't had enough of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole is now has the fight of his life on his hands.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Now - I haven't fought for my country round the clock since I fought the Nazis in Italy

in 1945, but I believe the stakes are just as important today."

SUPERCAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican Presidential Candidate

Dole is showing remarkable stamina for a man in his seventies. Literally campaigning round the clock.

But behind the political hot air and balloons - a mammoth effort is going on amongst Republican party members to get voters to the polls.

But with an eighteen point gap between him and President Bill Clinton in the opinion polls he may need divine intervention as well as the helping hands of supporters if

he is to cause an upset in Tuesday's election.

Union Township, New Jersey Loma Linda, California, 3 November 1996

1. Tilt down from municipal building tower to entrance-- zoom into Clinton and Goldberg

2. Cutaway crowd cheering

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Whoopie Goldberg

4. Cutaway man holding baby

5. Wide shot crowd cheering-- zoom into Clinton at podium

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Clinton

7. Pan across cameramen

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Clinton

9. Supporter waving Clinton-Torricelli poster

10. US flags-- tilt down to Clinton unfolding baseball shirt

Loma Linda, CA

11. Dole and Liddy Dole getting off bus in Loma Linda, CA

12. Cutaway crowd

13. Various: crowd and Dole and Kemp

14. Liddy Dole clapping near Dole

15. Various: Dole at podium

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Dole

17. Cutaway

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Dole

19. Wide shot crowd and platform

20. Tight shot Dole saying thank you pull back to show ticker tape

21. Wide shot balloons being released

English/Nat

Bob Dole's attempt to win the battle for the hearts and minds of America began in earnest Thursday night as he grasped the Republican Party presidential nomination.

A chorus of "God Bless America" sent Dole into the campaign against President Clinton with a jolt of enthusiasm but still the underdog.

His 57-minute acceptance speech enthralled the party faithful but drew mixed reactions from voters at large.

On the convention floor it was preaching to the converted. The traditional grand finale of balloons, giving the impression that the Republicans are a united party and bursting with political fireworks.

The crowd was divided on whether Dole's speech had enough spark to convince undecided voters - though the party faithful enjoyed the message.

SOUNDBITE:

"He gave the world hope, it transcends America, it goes beyond our borders, and I just think that what you're seeing here tonight is going to really on November 5th give the world hope to go into the next century from the unborn all the way to the retired people like me."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:

"I liked it but you know he didn't really address the young folks too much like I thought he would. I thought a lot of people asked me, you know, what are you want to hear, what do you want to hear as a woman, what do you want to hear as a young person in America, and he did sound pretty good but he didn't address me personally but he's still going to be my candidate."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:

"Bob Dole's character came out in his speech tonight. I think that with the preliminary introduction of him and what he said tonight, we think people have an idea now what his principles are and it wasn't so complicated, it was really easy to follow I think what he wants to do for America."

SUPER CAPTION: George Voinovich, Ohio governor

In the bars of San Diego Dole's speech drew mixed reactions. His words changed few minds amongst the groups of drinkers in the so-called G-O-P (Grand Old Party) Bar, set up specifically for the Convention.

But that's hardly surprising in a state which is politically divided and which will be amongst the hardest fought over at this November's election.

SOUNDBITE:

"Well this is probably the most passionate Dole has ever talked, but he's telling you everything you know already. What he needs to tell you, not is what needs to be done, how is he going to do it."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:

"I think Bob Dole has done very well with his speech tonight. He's hit on a lot of key issues, mainly illegal immigration, welfare, the tax reform, I think he's doing a good job."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:

"I think a lot of people have been lambasting Dole's speaking ability but I think he's shone tonight, he was actually quite good, and I think people ought to be proud of the fact that we have a candidate here who's served this country versus the one that we currently have in Washington."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:

"I think he's been working on his personality a little bit, he looks pretty good up there, the content leaves a little to be desired, but it scares me to death to think of a Republican Congress and a Republican president and but if he was for pro-choice and affirmative action he'd get my vote but as it stands now he's not cutting it."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:

"Bob Dole, Jack Kemp, '96, you betcha."

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

The Republicans have 81 days left to turn the razzmatazz of San Diego into a lasting message which could at last propel Bob Dole all the way to the White House.

Convincing party members is one thing. Convincing the electorate is quite another.

San Diego, 15 August 1996

1. Tilt down from balloons being released onto crowd

2. WS crowd with flags and confetti

3. White balloons released from ceiling onto crowd as fireworks spark

4. MS Bob and Elizabeth Dole waving

5. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

6. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

7. SOUNDBITE George Voinovich

8. Above shot of bar

9. MS punters seated at bar

10. WS punters seated at tables watching TV

11. MS Dole on TV

12. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

13. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

14. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

15. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

16. SOUNDBITE Vox Pop

17. LS convention

18. Pull-out fro confetti falling on Dole on stage

English/Nat

Princess Diana was in Washington D-C on Tuesday calling for a ban on the manufacture and use of landmines.

It's a role that's given the Princess worldwide recognition.

She was joined in Washington by Elizabeth Dole who, as head of the American Red Cross, echoed Princess Diana's views on a global landmine ban.

The press was out in force at the Brazilian Ambassador's residence early this morning -- hoping for a shot of Princess Diana.

They were not disappointed.

She was on her way to meet with Elizabeth Dole, president of the American Red Cross. Dole is the wife of Bob Dole, the unsuccessful Republican candidate for the U-S 1996 presidential elections.

Diana was calm despite the crush.

The purpose of her Red Cross visit: to push for a treaty banning use of landmines.

When it was her time to speak, she spoke of her visit to Angola.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Having seen for myself the devastation that anti personnel land mines cause I am committed to supporting in what ever way I can the international campaign to outlaw these dreadful weapons."

SUPER CAPTION: Princess Diana

She also expressed support for the work being done in aid of victims.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Achieving a global ban is one step because mines are being laid at a rate of two million a year but being removed at a rate of only 100-thousand a year. But helping mine victims themselves is equally important particularly as the one hundred ten million mines currently being made world wide will kill and maim for many years to come."

SUPER CAPTION: Princess Diana

Her Washington D-C stop will be followed by a stay in New York City. While there she'll promote the sale of a collection of her dresses by Christie's. The 79 dresses will be auctioned from June 25th through to June 19.

Washington D-C, U-S-A, June 17

1. Wide shot of residence of Brazil's Ambassador to the U-S

2. Princess Diana's car pulls away

3. Princess Diana and American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole come down steps and move to podium... press scuffle

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Princess Diana.

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Princess Diana

7. Cutaway

8. Princess Diana listens to other speakers

English/Nat

With less than 24 hours to go before Americans head to the polls to elect their next President, the candidates are fighting exhaustion in a last-minute surge to woo voters.

President Bill Clinton and his Republican rival Bob Dole are criss-crossing the United States in marathon tours that will end in their respective hometowns Tuesday in time to cast their own votes.

Meanwhile, Independent candidate Ross Perot reached out to American voters by means of 30-minute, nationally-televised "infomercials" carried on the three major networks.

Visibly fatigued but confident, President Bill Clinton arrived in Ohio with a message to Americans to get out and vote.

Thousands of Democratic supporters cheered on President Bill Clinton, who joined his wife, Hillary, his Vice President Al Gore and Gore's wife, Tipper.

To the cheers of thousands of supporters packed into Cleveland State University, Clinton reiterated his theme of pushing into the next century.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We are better off than we were four years ago when we cross the bridge to the twenty- first century if we stay on this course, we will be better off still. And we would do it together, look at your children, think of your future, cease the day to keep your country moving in the right direction. Thank you."

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton

Several hundred miles away in Houston, Texas, Republican hopeful Bob Dole continued his 96-hour campaign blitz.

Dole, who has taken on the moniker "Marathon Man" is on a virtually non-stop tour of the west through four time zones.

His campaign speeches, usually about half-an- hour, were kept down to five minutes or less, and his voice rasped and creaked with exhaustion.

SOUNDBITE:

"Thank you very much. Let me say that we've been going on around the clock for about 75 hours. I may not keep my voice, but I will keep my word."

SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole

Among the supporters in Houston was former President George Bush, his wife Barbara, and their son George W. Bush, the Texas governor.

Reform Party candidate Ross Perot, who has been left out of most of this year's campaign, made a last ditch plea for voters.

He spent two million US-dollars from his own wallet to deliver three half-hour taped speeches on the major American television networks -- ABC, CBS and NBC.

SOUNDBITE:

"I keep on fighting for our country and the people because five years ago I decided I just couldn't live with myself if I let this great country be destroyed by the special interest who have literally bought and control our government. I want to be your president for one reason: To solve these problems that face our great country."

SUPER CAPTION: Ross Perot, Reform Party Candidate

In the spots, the Reform Party candidate attacked Clinton's character and that of Democratic party associates who are under fire for fund-raising tactics.

Like the other candidates, Perot plans to return to his home, Texas, to cast his vote.

If opinion polls prove to be correct, for Perot and Dole, it's likely they'll be home to stay.

Cleveland, Ohio and Houston, Texas, 4 November 1996

Cleveland, Ohio:

1. Bill and Hillary Clinton walking to stage

2. Cutaway of Clinton supporters

3. The Clintons on stage

4. Cutaway of Clinton/Gore supporters

5. The Clintons and the Gores on stage

6. Cutaway of rally participants

7. Medium shot of Hillary Clinton

8. SOUNDBITE: Clinton

9. Cutaway of people on stage

10. Wideshot of rally

11. Clinton and Gore on the stage

Houston, Texas:

12. Bob and Elizabeth Dole at rally

13. Wideshot of Dole rally

14. Cutaway of George and Barbara Bush

15. Press corp

16. SOUNDBITE: Dole

17. Wideshot of Dole rally

Television Broadcast:

18. Ross Perot Paid Announcement

19. Perot Graphics

20. SOUNDBITE: Ross Perot, Reform Party Presidential Candidate (Independent)

21. Childhood photo of Perot

22. Photo of Perot with crowd of supporters

Cleveland, Ohio and Houston, Texas, 4 November 1996

Cleveland, Ohio:

1. Bill and Hillary Clinton walking to stage

2. Cutaway of Clinton supporters

3. The Clintons on stage

4. Cutaway of Clinton/Gore supporters

5. The Clintons and the Gores on stage

6. Cutaway of rally participants

7. Medium shot of Hillary Clinton

8. SOUNDBITE: Clinton

9. Cutaway of people on stage

10. Wideshot of rally

11. Clinton and Gore on the stage

Houston, Texas:

12. Bob and Elizabeth Dole at rally

13. Wideshot of Dole rally

14. Cutaway of George and Barbara Bush

15. Press corp

16. SOUNDBITE: Dole

17. Wideshot of Dole rally

Television Broadcast:

18. Ross Perot Paid Announcement

19. Perot Graphics

20. SOUNDBITE: Ross Perot, Reform Party Presidential Candidate (Independent)

21. Childhood photo of Perot

22. Photo of Perot with crowd of supporters