Alexander also downplayed the importance of the endorsement of Dole by Mass. Gov. William F. Weld '66 two weeks ago.
Alexander commended Dole, 72, on his 40 years of service in Washington.
But he said the Kansas senator lacks the vision needed to be a successful president.
"This race is a contest of ideas," Alexander said. "If you don't have the ideas, Senator Dole, why are you running for President?"
Alexander advocated reducing the size of the federal government and returning more power to local and state legislatures.
He also proposed limiting terms of Congress to six months and cut the pay of legislators in half.
"We need less [direction] from Washington, and more from ourselves," he said.
Alexander also said he plans to cancel welfare programs and let "neighborhood foundations" and charities help the poor