Bentsen’s performance energises Dukakis

Press, 8 October 1988, Page 11

Bentsen’s performance energises Dukakis

NZPA-Reuter Washington

With the presidential Election only a month away, the Democrat, Michael Dukakis, appeared energised by the strong showing of his running mate in Wednesday’s highly charged VicePresidential debate.

Republicans led by President Reagan are accusing the Texas Democratic Senator, Lloyd Bentsen, of delivering a “cheap shot” at Senator Dan Quayle when Bentsen put down the Republican for comparing himself to President John Kennedy. “Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy,” said Mr Bentsen, aged 67, glaring at his opponent. Mr Quayle said Mr Bentsen’s remark was uncalled for. Political attention has been on that clash since

the event, with televised segments shown steadily on news casts since the 90min debate. Mr Bentsen served in Congress with the young Kennedy after World War 11. He said on Thursday he resented the hawkish Quayle — subject of controversy earlier over his service in the home-based National Guard during the Vietnam War — comparing himself to the “war hero” Kennedy.

Mr Dukakis has been accusing Mr Bush of bad judgment ever since Mr Bush surprised the political world at the Republican Presidential nominating convention in August by picking the relativelyinexperienced, 41-year-old Indiana Senator.

Campaigning in Texas with Mr Bentsen on Thursday, Mr Dukakis

stepped up his attacks on Mr Bush and Mr Quayle, who lead narrowly the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket for the November 8 election.

“I’ve never seen Quayle up close like that and I thought it was very disturbing ... for one thing he was programmed beyond belief; for the other, extremely insecure,” Mr Dukakis said. The Governor of Massachusetts continued: “Thinking about Quayle being a heartbeat away from the presidency, to watch that, I think, is very, very troubling.” And linking Mr Bush with Mr Quayle, Mr Dukakis said at a rally, “My friends, strong Presidents look for strong Vice-Presi-dents ... Weak candidates look for something else.” Mr Bush, also campaigning in Texas, thought

Mr Quayle handled himself just fine, telling reporters, “I feel as good as I did last night — very, very good. He was knowledgeable. He did an outstanding job and the American people know it.”

Many Republicans feared that Mr Quayle would make a major gaffe but he did not commit any major errors as he plodded through the debate in a combative and generally knowledgeable manner reflecting 12 years experience in Congress.

Mr Bush was looking towards the midwest today for votes in that region, which is considered a toss-up in the election, while Dukakis was going into the south where Mr Bush and Mr Quayle are strong favourites.