Dukakis goes on the attack

Press, 5 September 1988, Page 8

Dukakis goes on the attack

NZPA-Reuter New York Michael Dukakis ended a four-day campaign swing by attacking the Reagan Administration’s ethical standards and George Bush’s comment that a rise in unemployment was “statistically irrelevant.” “We believe in the rule of law, and we will not rest until we have restored competence and integrity and high standards to the highest office in this land,” the Democratic Presidential candidate said in a speech on Ellis Island, the historic gateway for immigrants. President Reagan and Vice-President Bush have been dogged by the so-called “sleaze factor” after a number of former top White House officials were indicted or convicted of crimes. Mr Dukakis, the son of Greek immigrants, spoke at Ellis Island with his 84-year-old mother, Euterpe, at his side, capping a swing that included stops in California, Oregon and Washington. All four are considered crucial to victory in the November Election. During the trip, Mr Dukakis adopted a new strategy of sharply attacking the Republican ticket. He criticised Mr Bush’s judgment in the the Iran-Contra scandal and his domestic policies on education, the environment and the economy. On Ellis Island, Mr Dukakis took a swipe at Mr Bush for his comments that the rise in the United States unemployment rate last month to 5.6 per cent from 5.4 per cent was “statistically irrelevant.” “Those 200,000 Americans (added to the unemployment list) are not mere statistics and are not irrelevant,” Mr Dukakis said. The strategy marked a turnaround for Mr Dukakis, who had been on the defensive, responding to criticism from Mr Bush. Recent polls show that Mr Dukakis, who lost a 17-point lead over the last month, and Mr Bush are about even in the race. Mr Bush was in Washington, looking relaxed and confident as he hosted a barbecue for reporters at the VicePresidential residence. He attributed his surge in opinion polls to an improvement in communication and said he hoped to persuade the voters that “I’m the best one to lead this country based on experience and certainly convictions about the United States in matters related to national defence.” A poll published in the Sunday editions of the “Chicago Tribune” said that Mr Bush and Mr Dukakis were virtually tied. Mr Bush was favoured by 46 per cent and Mr Dukakis by 45 per cent in the poll of 1509 residents of the five largest states. The poll showed Mr Bush well ahead in Florida and Texas, while Mr Dukakis led in New York, Illinois and .California.