Bob Dole diagnosed with lung cancer

Former GOP Senate leader and presidential candidate to start treatment next week.

Bob Dole campaigns with his wife Elizabeth in Nebraska in 1996. Picture: AFP

Former senator Bob Dole, the longtime Republican Senate leader who was the party’s nominee for president in 1996, said he has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and will begin treatment next week.

“While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own,” said the 97-year-old in a tweet on Friday AEDT. He said he would start treatment on Tuesday.

Mr Dole fought in World War II and lost most use of his right arm and hand after being wounded in battle. He entered politics after returning home, winning a seat in the Kansas legislature before successfully running for the U.S. House and then Senate. In 1976, Mr. Dole was picked as then-President Gerald Ford’s running mate in his unsuccessful re-election bid. After serving as the top Republican in the Senate, Mr. Dole won the GOP presidential nomination in 1996, but lost to Democrat Bill Clinton.

As a politician for decades, Mr Dole played a role on legislation ranging from Social Security to the rights of the disabled. He was instrumental in both the landmark Reagan-era tax cuts as well as the overhaul of the nation’s tax code in 1986.

In recent years, Mr Dole has become best known for championing causes tied to his generation. He was a driving force behind creation of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, and then adopted the cause of “Freedom Flights,” which bring World War II veterans to visit the memorial built in their honour.

In late 2018, Mr Dole at the age of 95 captured national attention when he rose from his wheelchair to salute the casket of the late President George H.W. Bush, who was lying in state in the Rotunda of the US Capitol.

“I have zero doubt in my mind senator Dole will take this challenge head on the same way as other challenges he faced in his life,” said Republacan senator Roger Marshall (Kansas).

“Just as he did as one of the heroes from our greatest generation, in this battle, senator Dole will continue to show us the way through hope, resiliency, and perseverance.”

The Wall Street Journal