Vice Presidential Speculation Rife : Glenn ‘Dull and Boring,’ and Dukakis ‘Likes That’

It was a ripe moment in an atmosphere of intense speculation: Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis and Ohio Sen. John Glenn together Friday on the same podium.

It was their first joint appearance at a campaign event since Dukakis locked up the Democratic presidential nomination a month ago and since Glenn became a leading contender to be Dukakis’ vice presidential running mate.

Dukakis attended a town hall meeting in Dayton and Glenn was one of several Ohio politicians who greeted him.

Both looked very comfortable and jovial, but once again the Sphinx-like Dukakis revealed nothing about his thinking, saying he was still going through the process of screening the backgrounds of possible running mates.

And his aides have given no indication that Glenn has an inside track. Most of the speculation has come from political professionals and reporters, who cite Glenn’s popularity with middle Americans, his military policy experience and his solid record on civil rights.

At a press conference after the meeting, Dukakis said his mind was still “very open” on the matter, adding: “John and I had a good conversation, and I’ve had good conversations with other people in this party. We’ve got some very talented people in this party and I’ve had the luxury of spending some time in this process and it’s something I enjoy doing. When I’m ready I’ll make a choice.”

Dukakis was asked if he was worried about Glenn being too “dull and boring” and if Glenn’s hapless presidential campaign in 1984 concerned him.

The governor--who has been accused himself of being unexciting--laughed and said: “Dull and boring, I kind of like that.”

And as Glenn grinned just behind him, Dukakis added: “I’ve won campaigns and I’ve lost campaigns, I’ve had good campaigns and I’ve had one disastrous campaign, so I’m very sympathetic to people who’ve had both success and failure.”

Dukakis was referring to being turned out of office in 1978, only to come back with victories in 1982 and 1986.

Asked what Glenn’s strengths would be as a vice presidential candidate, Dukakis would only say: “I think the people of Ohio know what his strong points are. He’s been elected and reelected and for good reasons.”

Could he win Ohio’s 23 electoral votes--a key bloc--without Glenn?

“Anyone else have a question?” Dukakis responded before pointing to another hand in the air.

Glenn himself was asked to defend criticism that he was a lackluster campaigner four years ago--a fact that is said to trouble the Dukakis camp--but Glenn declined. Glenn also declined to answer when someone asked if he was interested in the vice presidency.

“This is not my press conference,” Glenn replied, “but I am glad to be here and backing Gov. Dukakis for President and we plan to work very hard through this whole campaign.

“I think it is time we do make some changes in this country, that we do have a different direction. A different leadership is needed and that is what he (Dukakis) is all about. That’s why I’m proud to support him.”

Glenn received rousing applause several times from fellow Ohioans during the town meeting.

And, as he has with several other contenders for the job who have appeared publicly with him, Dukakis polled the crowd on whether he should pick Glenn and that was greeted with a standing ovation.

Dukakis rarely initiates attacks on his expected GOP opponent, Vice President George Bush, but in response to a question Friday, he accused Bush of being misguided in the battle to curtail drug abuse.

Told that Bush had listed as a top priority the use of some military facilities to house people convicted in drug cases, Dukakis said:

“That’s one place where you could provide some additional space in our correctional systems, but if he (Bush) thinks that is the most important thing you can do, then he doesn’t understand how you fight this war. . . . Dealing with demand has got to be an essential part of this effort. We are not dealing with demand.”