Dukakis Endorses Gore, Encourages Students to Get Involved Politically

Former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis tackled the major issues of the 2000 campaign last night in the Eliot House Junior Common Room.

Dukakis, who is currently teaching at Northeastern University, expressed support for Vice President Al Gore '69 over challenger Bill Bradley.

"While I am supporting the Vice President, I have a great amount of respect for Bill Bradley," Dukakis said. "There really are no frontrunners yet."

The informal discussion, organized by the Harvard-Radcliffe College Democrats, drew more than 50 students, and provided an open forum for students to ask questions and share their views.

The 2000 elections provide an opportunity for the Democratic Party to distinguish itself, Dukakis said.

"The upcoming election not only gives Democrats an opportunity to win, but to do so in a way that defines the difference between the two parties," he said. "We can become the majority party for the beginning of the new millennium."

Dukakis also touched on health insurance, an issue that has recently dominated the national discourse. He emphasized the Democratic Party's commitment to providing health care for all citizens.

"There are 44.3 million people who don't have a dime in health insurance," he said. "Most of these are working class people."

Dukakis also addressed the future of Social Security and Medicare, again highlighting his party's role in the fight for senior citizen benefits.

"The country is getting older," Dukakis said. "There is no question which party cares more about protecting and strengthening social insurance programs."

Against the backdrop of a thriving stock market and record low levels of unemployment, Dukakis said the Democratic Party has been a major leader in bridging the gap between the rich and poor.

"The folks at the bottom of the ladder are making gains in real income for the first time in three decades," he said.

The nation's prosperity carries with it a responsibility to all citizens, he said.

"The country is becoming more diverse," he said. "We have to make sure that there is a general opportunity for every single American, regardless of race."

The discussion became more lighthearted when a student raised the topic of Gore's lack of charisma.

"Bill Bradley's not winning any prizes for charisma either," Dukakis said. "It's difficult to convey who you are in an eight-second sound byte."

He concluded his remarks with a call for students to get involved in the political process, beginning at the grass roots level.

"Grass roots politicking really makes a difference," Dukakis said. "I wouldn't have been elected dog catcher, much less governor, without the time, energy and effort of students like you."

Marc Stad '01, the newly-elected president of the College Democrats, said he was pleased with the turnout at last night's event and hoped it would help spark student interest in the political process.

"The students at Harvard are asleep," Stad said. "They don't care about politics. We have to wake them up."

The College Democrats will be heavily involved in this effort to get students to work on the 2000 campaign.

On Wednesday, the club elected new officers, putting into place the leadership for the upcoming election year.

Stad , the former vice president of the club, became president and Jessica L. Richman '01, formerly the club's secretary, was selected as vice president.

The club also trimmed its executive board, dropping the traditional offices of secretary and treasurer in favor of more specific positions.

New officers include Jenny I. Marsh '03, chosen as communications director, Ruben Marinelarena '02, finance director, and John F. Bingaman '02, campaigns director.

According to Richman, the new structure will help the College Democrats organize for the upcoming elections.

"We will all work as a team," Richman said. "We will do our best to encourage people to get involved and hopefully get the campus excited about the elections."