Politics 88 : Dukakis Nears Delegate Target

Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis has passed the 1,800 mark in delegates, according to calculations by the Associated Press, and with each passing day is in a stronger position to reach the 2,081-delegate target that would clinch the nomination by the time the primaries end on Tuesday.

According to figures released Saturday, Dukakis now has 1,811 delegates in his column, far ahead of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has 985. At stake in Tuesday’s primaries in California, New Jersey, Montana and New Mexico are 466 delegates.

Illinois Sen. Paul Simon, meanwhile, acknowledged that his base of delegates was eroding but said he hopes to retain some influence over them at the Democratic National Convention next month.

Simon, who put his presidential campaign on hold nearly two months ago, still has 152 delegates, most of them won in the March 15 primary in Illinois, his home state. More than 30 of his delegates have defected in the last three weeks, however, most to Dukakis.

“I’m pleased that the huge majority of them are holding off doing anything,” he said at a news conference Friday in Springfield, Ill. “I think we want to do what we can to stick together and be a force for good at the convention.

“I don’t think anyone controls delegates . . . but I think you can have some influence.”

Simon said he plans to meet with Dukakis after Tuesday’s final primaries to discuss topics including the selection of a vice presidential candidate. He all but ruled out accepting the vice presidential nomination, saying he would consider it only “if some specific responsibilities were spelled out.”