Elizabeth Dole's sterile statement on Jesse Helms' death

Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) was elected to the U.S. Senate seat that Jesse Helms gave up in 2002, and she is now running for re-election in a year in which Republican incumbents are vulnerable. She issued this statement on Friday:

DOLE STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR JESSE HELMS

July 4th, 2008 - Salisbury, N.C. - U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole today made the following statement regarding the passing of U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms:

“Bob and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our longtime friend Senator Jesse Helms. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his precious wife Dot and their family.

“In succeeding Jesse to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, I knew I could never replace him, but I continue to strive each day to provide the dedicated constituent service he provided the people of our state for 30 years. As my father would say, Jesse was indeed a ‘watchdog’ for North Carolina and for the nation.”

Democratic nominee Kay Hagan is within striking distance of Dole in several recent polls. Hagan's web site is KayHagan.com.