Transcript from NBC's "Meet the Press," December 18, 1995:
Q: There is now a movement within the Republican Party to say, "Listen, the American public does not want to make abortion illegal, but they want to reduce or discourage abortion." Is that pretty much your view?
Dole: Well, certainly I want to discourage abortion. I also have been, continue to be pro-life; I'm opposed to abortion.
Q: But you don't want to make it illegal?
Dole: It should be illegal. As far as Roe vs. Wade's concerned...
Q: Banned completely? No abortion, period?
Dole: With the exception of life of the mother, rape or incest. We have some exceptions.
Q: A constitutional amendment to ban all abortion?
Dole: I supported that at one time. I would not do it again.... I think there have to be some exceptions. I think there are other things we can do as far as parental notification. My view as a Republican candidate is this shouldn't be a dominant issue in the Republican nomination or the campaign for president in 1996.... We have people on both sides of the issue who are Republicans who feel strongly about it. I'm not trying to divide the party. I want to multiply Republicans, not divide Republicans.