Video: 'USA: WASHINGTON: BOB DOLE TO RESIGN AS LEADER IN SENATE UPDATE'

(Wednesday, May 15, 1996) — Declaring that he now has “nowhere to go but the White House or home,” Senator Bob Dole announced today that he was resigning from the Senate (effective June 11, 1996) and forsaking a 35-year Congressional career in hopes of recharging his Presidential campaign.

Dole held back tears as he made his short announcement to a room packed with lawmakers, reporters and aides in the Hart Senate Office Building.

The Kansas Republican explained that he was leaving the institution with which he had been so identified — and relinquishing his post as the longest-serving Senate Republican leader — to demonstrate to voters and members of his own party his commitment to winning the White House.

Video: 'Senator Dole Resignation'