Bob Dole eyes significant role in Donald Trump’s campaign

Bob Dole continues to stand behind Donald Trump, and the former Kansas senator has a goal for himself as the Republican National Convention looms.

“I'm going to try to be his senior adviser. I mean, I've learned a little over the years that might be helpful,” he told NPR this week.

Dole, 92, insisted that he’s solidly behind Trump. He also said he’s offered the real estate tycoon some advice, which was to stop offending so many people.

“He's on the right track,” Dole said. “And if he gets off again on the wrong track, there's going to be a lot of disappointed people who are going to just stay home and not vote.”

Dole noted that he will be the only former GOP presidential nominee at the convention.

He said he’s been concerned that the party was drifting too far to the right with presidential candidates, such as Ted Cruz. The party, Dole said, has to retain the ability to compromise, a trait that Ronald Reagan embraced.

Meantime, Trump is making strides.

“He's learning that policy is important,” Dole said. “It's one thing to make soundbites. But you've got to have some meat on the bones.”

This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 8:12 AM.