Dukakis Has Upbeat Words on Eve of Vote

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis and Lawrence Sosa of East San Diego both went to a campaign rally across from Horton Plaza on Monday with a goal in mind. Sosa achieved his; Dukakis will have to wait until after today’s California primary--indeed, until November--to learn whether he does as well.

“I got it! I got it!” Sosa exclaimed, proudly waving the autograph book he had slipped to Dukakis through a phalanx of Secret Service agents who had tried, unsuccessfully, to discourage him.

Sure enough, right there between the autographs of Wallis Simpson and Bob Barker was the signature of the man who could be the 41st President of the United States. Actually, there were a couple of squiggly lines led off by a vaguely recognizable “M” and “D.” But then, in the race for President, one doesn’t get extra votes for good penmanship.

“I hope he wins. It’ll mean more,” Sosa said, aware that a Republican victory in November could lower the market value of the newest addition to his autograph collection to that of, say, a Walter Mondale, vintage 1984.

In an upbeat 30-minute speech to a lunchtime crowd of about 2,000, a relaxed, confident Dukakis pledged to not disappoint Sosa and the others who attended his final California rally before today’s primary.

“It is by no means the end tomorrow. It is the beginning,” Dukakis told the enthusiastic downtown crowd.

Likening this year’s presidential election to that of 1960, when John Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon, Dukakis added: “1960 was the year that the Republicans made the same mistake they’re going to make in 1988. They nominated an incumbent Republican vice president. The guy from Massachusetts beat him in 1960, and, with your help, the guy from Massachusetts is going to beat him in 1988.”

Repeating oft-used lines from his standard stump speech, the Massachusetts governor also sharply criticized the Reagan Administration’s record on a wide range of issues, while painting a potential Dukakis Administration in rosy shades.

“A wholesome and clean environment,” “a quality job for every American,” “health insurance . . . with every job,” “a real war, not a phony war, against drugs,” “quality day care,” “a President who is the No. 1 advocate for good teaching”--those broad promises and others were laced throughout Dukakis’ remarks.

Speaking at length on the drug issue, Dukakis called for drug education programs in elementary schools and pledged to provide “leadership in the White House that will set an example” to children--leadership that he charged has been absent under Reagan, as evidenced by the Administration’s dealings with Panamanian military ruler Manuel Noriega, who has been linked to the drug trade.

“How can we tell our kids to say no to drugs when we have an Administration that can’t say no to drug-running Panamanian dictators?” Dukakis asked.

During his remarks, Dukakis was flanked by a handful of prominent local Democrats, including state Sen. Wadie Deddeh (D-Bonita), San Diego City Councilman Bob Filner and former Councilman Jess Haro. Mayor Maureen O’Connor, a Democrat, had been invited to the ceremony but declined, citing the press of city business--thereby angering some Dukakis supporters.

“What can I say? It makes no sense, but she does this to us all the time,” said one top local Democratic Party official, noting that O’Connor has been frequently criticized by her fellow Democrats for her aloof attitude toward party affairs.

Dukakis was preceded at the podium by actor John Ratzenberger, who portrays Cliff the mailman on the TV show “Cheers.” Entertaining the crowd with a purported “Dear George” letter to Vice President George Bush, Ratzenberger called Bush the “silent partner” in an error-ridden Administration and, predicting defeat for the GOP nominee this fall, concluded, “You might as well stay in Kennebunkport.”

Dukakis also got off a few good one-liners, as when he poked fun at former White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan’s published revelations that First Lady Nancy Reagan’s interest in astrology often affected the timing of presidential actions.

“I’ve been getting into astrology lately. . . . I’ve discovered I’m a Scorpio. I hope that’s a good thing,” Dukakis said to the crowd’s delight. Continuing the joke, Dukakis said he recently checked the horoscopes for himself and Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese.

“I want you to know it said we’re both going to be changing our jobs soon,” Dukakis said.

The crowd roared its approval.