Sen. Bob Dole died today. Many posts and stories about his life and service to the country.

My small addition is this look at his career in the eyes of public opinion.

In 3 parts. First his full career as captured by national favorable-unfavorable polls.

Most polls were conducted surrounding his presidential run in 1994-1996.

The two early lows reflect VP nominee in 1976 where he was the voice of GOP attacks.

Note also the rise in the few polls post-1996. 2003 is the last national poll I have for him.

Here I zoom in on the 1995-1997 period when there are the most polls. I also increase the sensitivity of the trend line to pick up some of the shorter term changes.

In the densest period of polls you can see some fluctuation but pretty limited range during the 1996 campaign.

Here I zoom in again on 1996 and increase the sensitivity of the trend line a little more. The oscillation in Aug to Nov is still clear.

The net fav trend remained positive, though a fair number of individual polls were net negative.

Those not of a “certain age” may not know that Dole resigned from the Senate while seeking the Presidency on June 11, 1996. There seems to be a short term rise in net favorable at that point, but it quickly dissipates.

Bob Dole was at times highly partisan, at other times a bipartisan partner on big policy accomplishments. Some loved him and some loathed him, and many were more balanced. His life of service, and sacrifice, was admirable. I wish we had more like him.