Portsmouth Herald
2/17/96 Pg. A6
By Larry Favinger 
Maine Bureau Chief
   PORTSMOUTH - After weeks of hard-hitting campaigning, it was a different
Sen. Bob Dole yesterday who stood before members of the Greater Portsmouth
Chamber of Commerce, students from Hampton's Winnacunnet High School, and
campaign supporters at Yoken's.
   He was kinder, gentler and appeared to be more tired.
   In a departure from previous campaign stops on the Seacoast, Dole didn't
lash out at publisher Steve Forbes, didn't fire salvos at Lamar Alexander,
didn't throw verbal jabs at Pat Buchanan - his three major competitors in the
race for the Republican nomination.
   He said he wouldn't build walls around the United States, an obvious
reference to Buchanan's protectionist trade policy, and reserved a barb or
two for President Clinton.
   Dole, who the latest polls say is in a virtual tie with Buchanan and only
points ahead of Alexander with likely voters in Tuesday's primary, said the
electorate in 1994 gave Republicans ``an opportunity for change'' and the
party responded. The first balanced 
budget in a generation was passed, he said, but it was vetoed by Clinton.
Welfare reform was accomplished, again vetoed by Clinton.
   ``The biggest barrier to change is the president of the United States,''
he said.
   ``We're going to present a very clear choice in November,'' Dole said,
asking for everyone present's support. ``And if you're not from New
Hampshire, I'll be in your state soon,'' he said.
   Democrat Sharon Van Epps attended the session, she said, because of the
valuable contribution Dole has made ``to the nation in Congress and as a
World War II hero.''
   She said there is ``a real genuineness to him that doesn't come across on
television.''
   Being a registered Democrat, Van Epps can't vote for Dole in the primary
but said, ``I don't know what will happen in November.'' Clinton was not her
choice in the Democratic field four years ago and might not be this year,
either.
   ``You cannot vote a straight party ticket and be a responsible citizen,''
she said.
   Portsmouth City Councilor Raimond Bowles thought Dole ``sounded very good,
but he must be very tired.'' Bowles said he has long been a supporter of the
Senate majority leader because ``I know he is a compassionate conservative.''