In Harsh Attack, He Indicates Dukakis Hides True Colors : Reagan Warns of ‘Trench Coat’ Liberals

President Reagan, pressing his campaign effort for Vice President George Bush, criticized Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis on Tuesday as an “out-and-out liberal” governor who has raised taxes and favors abortion.

“All that the American people need to do is a little comparison shopping to see the truth” about Dukakis’ place in the political spectrum, Reagan told an audience of conservative political leaders summoned to the White House.

“The American people understand what liberalism means and don’t like it, so our opponents plan to go to the voters incognito, and they’re putting on political trench coats and sunglasses,” Reagan said, adding: “We’ll never, even in the lowest whisper, mumble the ‘L’ word again.”

The President’s remarks, underscoring in harsher language the theme of a speech he made last week in Miami, reflect the critical approach he will take in promoting the vice president’s campaign in appearances on the road and in White House statements in the next few months.

“He’s just going to point out what’s bad about Dukakis and what’s good about Bush,” White House Deputy Press Secretary B. J. Cooper said.

Reagan, echoing an attack on Dukakis that Bush has used frequently in recent campaign appearances, cited the Massachusetts governor’s decision to back a $100 million-plus state tax increase to make up a budget shortfall.

“What do you call a governor who raises taxes $115 million and declares it a victory?” Reagan asked, answering himself: “Out-and-out liberal.”

Pep Talk Audience

Reagan’s audience for the campaign pep talk in the Executive Office Building included grass-roots Republican Party workers and activists who had been involved in the failed presidential campaigns of Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas, Rep. Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.) and religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.

The White House has been striving to ignite more assertive support of Bush among hard-line conservatives who consider him too moderate.

“There are certain groups he (Reagan) can be helpful with and this was one of them,” a senior White House official said.

Seeking to draw comparisons between Dukakis’ and Bush’s positions, Reagan said: “Our opponents’ candidate has fought for weekend furloughs for dangerous convicts, including drug dealers.” The reference was to a Massachusetts prison furlough program--similar to one run by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons--that has since been scaled back. “Our candidate has led the fight against drug smugglers,” Reagan said.

Reagan continued: “Their candidate favors abortion on demand; our candidate is pro-life; . . . Their candidate has opposed requiring the Pledge of Allegiance and allowing prayer in schools (referring to Dukakis’ veto of a bill the state’s highest court deemed unconstitutional). Our candidate, well, he and I both find it hard to believe that anyone could take these positions,” the President said.

Reagan, drawing attention to Dukakis’ lack of foreign policy experience, also praised Bush’s involvement in the U.S.-Soviet rapprochement.