Runner-Up Not Entitled to 2nd Ticket Spot: Dukakis

Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, leading Jesse Jackson in the Democratic presidential race, said today that finishing second in the primaries does not entitle anyone to second spot on the national ticket. He said that he alone, if nominated, will pick his running mate.

“What you’re looking for is somebody who, first and foremost, could be a first-rate President if something happened to the President. That’s where you begin,” Dukakis said in an interview with the Associated Press.

“If I were to finish second, it wouldn’t entitle me to anything more than consideration, period,” Dukakis said.

He refused to discuss any individuals and tried to steer questions about the vice presidency away from Jackson.

“I have spent literally zero time thinking about it. And I will not, unless and until I have either won the nomination or it looks as if it’s pretty well in hand,” Dukakis said.

“If that happens, then I will begin what I hope will be a thoughtful and thorough process of selecting a running mate. But I’m not going to do anything on that--quite literally--until the California and New Jersey primaries are over,” he continued.

Dukakis was asked about a statement from Jackson campaign manager Gerald Austin that if Dukakis won the nomination the runner-up would deserve “consideration” for the second spot on the ticket.

“The nominee makes that decision--as (Jackson) himself said. And rightly so,” Dukakis said.