POLITICS 88 : ‘Making It’ in N.Y., N.Y., Has Put a Song in Dukakis’ Heart

The words weren’t very original, but the sentiment was real enough for a victorious Michael S. Dukakis.

“I love New York!” the Massachusetts governor shouted at a packed Manhattan ballroom of cheering supporters late Tuesday after winning New York’s Democratic presidential primary. And he added, paraphrasing the popular song: “Friends, if we can make it here, we can make it anywhere!

“All it takes is a strong message, lots of hard work, and plenty of charisma,” said the distinctly non-charismatic candidate with a broad grin and a hoarse voice.

Hugs and High Hopes

It was a night of warm hugs and high hopes for many of Dukakis’ aides and supporters after two weeks of one of the most tumultuous contests in an already grueling primary season. For many, the Democratic nomination was in sight: “Beat Bush! Beat Bush!” they chanted.

Dukakis, too, appeared to be looking far ahead. He said the fall race against likely Republican nominee George Bush will give voters “a choice between one basic set of values and another.”

“They’re going to say ‘no’ to four more years of homelessness and inadequate health care for millions of our fellow citizens, and ‘yes’ to decent and affordable housing and basic health insurance for every family in America,” he said.

Dukakis praised his rivals, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Tennessee Sen. Albert Gore Jr., as “both outstanding candidates” who ran “strong campaigns.”

“And however the race for this nomination turns out, they both have great futures as leaders of our party and our nation,” he said.

‘Bring Country Together’

After a race dominated by bitter battles over race, religion and ethnicity, Dukakis said his goal was to “bring this country together. Rich or poor. Young or old. Black or brown or white.”

His wife, Kitty, dressed in a red suit, beamed beside him. And Dukakis hugged his first cousin, Olympia Dukakis, winner of an Academy Award last week for her role in the film “Moonstruck,” after he told the crowd: “Tonight we won the Oscar.”

Campaign aides attributed the victory to Dukakis’ upbeat message of jobs and economic opportunity, and his well-funded get-out-the-vote operation. Despite exit polls, they said they saw no evidence that many people had voted for Dukakis because of racial and religious antagonism to Jackson.

“Michael ran a strong, positive campaign,” said Susan Estrich, his campaign manager. “People voted for him, not against anyone.”

Mark Gearan, campaign spokesman, said Dukakis also benefited because many of the issues in New York--housing, drugs, homelessness and other urban problems--were similar to those back in Boston.

‘More Like Home Here’

“It’s much more like home here,” Gearan said. “He knows this stuff better than, say, price supports for farmers.”

In retrospect, aides also were relieved that New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch endorsed Gore rather than Dukakis. In their view, Koch’s strident criticism of Jackson polarized voters and overshadowed Gore.

“I don’t think he helped Gore,” said Paul Brountas, Dukakis’ campaign chairman. Koch deserted Gore later Tuesday night to endorse Dukakis.

Top aides denied that Dukakis was now the odds-on favorite for the Democratic nomination. “We’re not taking anything for granted,” Estrich said.

Even before New York’s polls had closed, Dukakis was stepping up his attacks on Bush during a visit to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania holds its primary Tuesday.