Leahy is the good cop. Exon is the lightning rod, he gets votes back home in Nebraska for standing up for decency in the new frighteningly powerful world. The good cop, Leahy comes in. Offers something more reasonable. Clinton has something to boast about during the campaign.
Conservative states have important electoral votes.
Many people who vote are driven by their fears. Their votes express their fears about life. They vote to keep other people from doing things they don't like to think about because it brings up their pain. Pain scares them. Both Clinton and Dole are happy to represent these people.