Following Elizabeth Dole’s resignation from the American Red Cross last week, speculation has placed her as a possible candidate for the presidency in 2000.

“At this point, it is possible she would be able to run with Al Gore, but so could George W. Bush; Dole has many things working against her,” said Mack Shelley, professor of political science and statistics.

Shelley said two factors that could prevent Dole from securing the Republican presidential nomination are her lack of experience in an elected political office, and Bush, her main competitor for the nomination. He currently is the governor of Texas, a large state with a large regional base.

“Dole has a long way to go to push for the Republican nomination,” he said.

Many students are optimistic about Dole’s possible presidential run.

“I think she would be a good Republican candidate because she could be elected and could add a lot to the Republican ticket,” said Chris Benson, sophomore in animal science.

Pamela Thomas, director of the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center, said a run by Dole would be very interesting.

“She is a viable candidate, and she could become the first woman president,” Thomas said. “She comes across more moderate than her husband, but I, like many women, would like to hear more about where she stands regarding education and various women’s issues.”

Dole’s work at the American Red Cross will help her considerably in a possible presidential run, said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center.

“Liddy Dole is a good communicator and has a long record of public service,” Bystrom said. “She has been one of the most admired women for quite some time. … She can campaign as an outsider with a fresh new perspective.

“But on the down side,” Bystrom said, “she doesn’t have the electoral background, which is the toughest egg to crack for women — there are only four [female] governors.”

Shelley said a lot would have to happen for Dole to be in a position to be elected president.

“There needs to be a serious meltdown of the Democratic Party for her to really have a chance. I don’t think she has what it takes unless we have a slowing of the economy, which is what helps Clinton’s popularity rating,” he said. “The economy is one of those things that is very influential in an election. Dole would have to change her style and broaden her political base.”

However, the greatest issue may be whether America is ready for a female president.

“I think that a woman president will be the next shift in American politics,” Bystrom said. “A woman as a presidential candidate is politically untested.”

Only four women have ever attempted a presidential run in American history, according to the Carrie Chapman Catt Center.

“[Dole] will face what Colin Powell would have faced. They are both very well-thought-of people that are highly respected, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will result in votes,” she said. “Women and minorities have made a lot of headway in politics, but there is a long way to go.”

With women considered as a base in the Democratic Party, the party’s ticket could suffer if Dole runs. But Shelley said that probably will not happen.

“Gender would not necessarily play in the election,” Shelley said. “Christine Todd Whitman, the governor of New Jersey, was elected by mainly male support because of her Republican status and stance on the issues.”