Dukakis tells hopefuls not to buy into hype - San Diego Union Tribune

[question everything]

With the New Hampshire primary just around the corner, Michael Dukakis has some advice for John Kerry, Howard Dean and the other Democratic presidential candidates: Don't buy the hype, and if you're the nominee, let no attack in the general election go unanswered.

(snip)

Dukakis said candidates and voters alike should discount current Democratic polling. "Take these polls and throw them in the trash. ... All these polls on the Democratic side are worthless, utterly worthless.

"Trust me, 80 percent of the people in New Hampshire haven't made up their minds. What good reporters have to do is knock on 50 doors and talk to people. This is a marathon, even with the front-loading" of early primaries.

(snip)

In addition to letting the Willie Horton ad go unanswered, Dukakis stumbled when he donned a helmet and went on a highly publicized ride in an armored vehicle. The subsequent footage made him look more silly than presidential.

"Look, Bush was in a tank twice" in the 1988 campaign, he said. "We didn't go after him. I remember one time he was reciting the pledge (of allegiance). He didn't even know the words."


Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sat/news/news_1n24dukakis.html

[progressivebydesign]

1. I really like Dukakis!!

I had a chance to meet him and Kitty Dukakis a few years ago in Santa Barbara. He spoke about economic issues and politics. The man is brilliant. He suffered from media attacks and lack of mojo in his campaign. God forbid we elect someone that hasn't the pop star appeal, yet can manage the country beautifully.


He's so right on about polls. Have you all noticed how MANY polls there are now? And who are the people conducting them? What are they asking? How are the polling employees trained?? Throw them in the trash. Dukakis is so cool.

[question everything]

5. About phone polls

Many young people today do not have land phones, only cell, so they are not called by pollsters.

[kimchi]

2. Bush doesn't know the words to the pledge of allegiance????????

I'm not really surprised, but...:wtf:

A MISERABLE FAILURE.

Good advice from Dukakis; especially pointing out that the frontrunner is a MEDIA construct. I hope they listen to him.

[The Night Owl]

3. Please tell me there is a recording of Bush mangling The Pledge!

A recording of Bush mangling The Pledge Of Allegiance would be a spectacular campaign ad.

[dansolo]

4. He was talking about Bush Sr. (n/t)

[Lisa]

6. well, he did mess up the instructions for the pledge ...

"Right hand up, please. Actually, right hand on your heart."
--Bush (mis)leading new citizens at Ellis Island ceremony


http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/diversity/10july01.htm

[Democat]

7. Learn from his mistakes - fight or fail

Democrats need to learn how to take Bush down, with or without the media's help. It won't be easy, maybe not even possible, but they could at least try!

[UTUSN]

8. Every Time One of Our Past Champs Surfaces

we are reminded again what decent, intelligent specimens they were, how just about every Dem is light-years better than just about any Repuke. Yep, I still like DUKAKIS and wouldn't take back my vote for any past Dem who lost, but he *is* one of several of the classic "noble, high-road" losing candidates.