Such a move, a Dole aide said, might also help the candidate's position with women.

But Dole aides also said that they did not need to fuel the story or pump it up as a campaign issue.

That's when a Dole aide stepped in and stopped the shoot.

"She is his alter ego," said a former Dole aide.

"People are pressing him to make the call," one Dole aide said in a panic.

Dole aides said he actually hadn't seen the movie.

"Bill Clinton has shown you can walk pretty far from your base and still not lose them," the Dole aide said.

And in fact, according to a senior Dole aide, the attacks are heartfelt on the candidate's part.

"Bush is vulnerable, and we will beat him despite what we're going through," predicted a senior Dole aide.

Still, working through the night, Dole aides sought to make it a festive event.