He’s Formidable

Don’t ask whose convention it was. Michael S. Dukakis proved himself the master of the political balancing act, emerging from Atlanta as the strongest Democratic presidential candidate in two decades.

Don’t talk about the fall campaign leadership being a shared-power troika of Dukakis, Lloyd Bentsen and Jesse Jackson. At least for now, Michael S. Dukakis is in control of this campaign. Michael S. Dukakis is the Democratic presidential nominee. He is the leader of the Democratic Party. And it would be risky for George Bush to believe that the Democratic ticket will fall apart over philosophical differences between Dukakis and his conservative Texas running mate.

Don’t doubt Dukakis’ ability to define himself. American voters who watched Dukakis’ acceptance speech Thursday night, and the introduction by cousin Olympia Dukakis, now have a pretty good idea of Michael Dukakis and what he stands for. As political analyst Gary Wills wrote: “He is enigmatic precisely because he seems to contain no mysteries.” Bush now may be pressed to offer a clearer definition of himself.

Don’t wonder about Dukakis’ determination to win the presidency on Nov. 8. While many convention delegates still were waking up to hangovers Friday morning, Dukakis and Bentsen already had met over breakfast with Jesse Jackson and his supporters, winning fresh praise and support from Jackson, and had embarked on a campaign swing to Texas, California, North Dakota, Missouri and Pennsylvania. Dukakis skipped the traditional post-convention vacation in order to carry his challenge directly into Reagan country. His first big California rally was planned for today in the San Joaquin Valley, where swing voters flocked to Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. Even before the Republicans have had a chance to hold their own convention, the Bush ticket may find itself being tested in a number of areas that had been assumed to be relatively safe for the GOP.

In his address on Thursday, Dukakis put a challenge to Americans much as John F. Kennedy did 28 years ago and as Ronald Reagan never has done: to work together for the good of the whole national community--the notion of shared responsibility and benefits. In return, Dukakis pledged to restore confidence in government through honesty, truthfulness and excellence. Four years from now, he said, he wants Americans to look on the White House as a source of pride.

The real Massachusetts miracle may in fact be the achievement of excellence in government and restoration of public service as an honorable calling in the Boston statehouse. This was more than just Kennedy School tinkering with the levers of government. Gary Wills wrote, “His claims are more moral than technocratic. He first wanted integrity. Efficiency followed on that.”

And, with his acceptance speech, Dukakis has put to rest--for the time being at least--the criticism that he is too intense, too dull and lacking in humor and emotion.

Democratic unity can fall apart in the days ahead, of course, and unexpected events can drastically alter the nature of a campaign. Candidates can stumble over the most trivial of issues and events. At this point in the contest, however, the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket presents a formidable challenge for control of the White House.