This was the 90s. It was a much different time and social conservatives had a much louder voice than they do today. Even Democrats were against same sex marria

This was the 90s. It was a much different time and social conservatives had a much louder voice than they do today. Even Democrats were against same sex marriage back then. It was a stroke of genius to have Dole as a spokesmen. He was seen as a conservative and an elder statesmen that everyone respected on the left and the right.