Clinton and Dole: Such Good Friends

— -- It seems like just yesterday that President Clinton and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole were duking it out on the campaign trail, but now the two former rivals can’t seem to get enough of each other.

By Josh GersteinABCNEWS.comW A S H I N G T O N, July 3 — It seems like just yesterday that Sen. Bob Dole was denouncing President Clinton as “power hungry” and accusing him of presiding over “endless violations of public trust.”

But now the acerbic ex-Senator and his one-time Democratic opponent can’t seem to get enough of each other’s company. In the last few weeks, Dole has turned up at four different events where Clinton was the main attraction. Some of these encounters have been at the most unlikely venues. In fact, two have been at fundraisers for Democratic candidates.

Electorally, Dole proved no match for Clinton. But as the two have shared the stage more recently, it’s clear that when it comes to deadpan wit, the senator still holds the upper hand.

The Great Viagra Debate

Earlier last month, the two men found themselves at a tribute to Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., at a Washington hotel. The president was just back from a weeklong trip to Europe and Dole managed to slip in this backhanded slap at Clinton’s globetrotting.

“I want to congratulate you for having this on a night when the president is visiting the United States,” Dole quipped.

Dole, who has spent some of his time since 1996 making TV commercials, also mentioned one of the products he has endorsed.

“I’m told a Viagra side effect for some men in their fifties is that their hair turns gray,” Dole said before turning to look directly at the gray-haired Clinton. The room broke up with howls of laughter.

A short time later, Mr. Clinton returned fire. “If it weren’t for me, he’d be just like all us gray-haired 50-year-olds, he’d have to pay for his Viagra,” Clinton declared.