Dukakis Pledges Jobs for Texans : Final White House Drive Launched in Crucial Vote State

HOUSTON — Democrat Michael S. Dukakis, fresh from success at the national convention, began his final drive for the White House Friday in the electoral-rich state of his running mate, Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen.

With Bentsen at his side at an airport rally in McAllen, Tex., and later at a stop in Houston, Dukakis kicked off the first campaign swing of his general election offensive in the state that could mean the difference between victory or defeat in November.

Dukakis told the largely Latino crowd in McAllen that if elected he would do everything he could to strengthen the family. To cheers, he pledged good jobs for all--key campaign themes that he echoed in his convention speech in Atlanta Thursday night.

Spanish and English

“I don’t want to kid you, this is going to be a tough race,” Dukakis told a crowd of hundreds standing in sweltering heat. “And you know it and I know it. . . . And we need your help.”

Speaking alternately in Spanish and English in the Rio Grande Valley, Dukakis said he will win the race for President, “Little by little; step by step, hand in hand; together.”

At a brief airport news conference, Dukakis said he would not respond to “labels” tossed out by his Republican rival, Vice President George Bush, who has accused Dukakis of being a free-spending liberal.

“If the vice president wants to spend all of his time talking about labels, I guess he’ll be doing so,” Dukakis said. “But we know who balances budgets and who doesn’t. We know who is committed to respect for the law and the Constitution.”

Before leaving Houston, Dukakis talked to a large crowd ringed by Bush supporters. “With your help, the Democratic ticket of Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen is going to sweep Texas in November,” he said.

Won’t Concede a State

Regarding the Republican onlookers, Dukakis said, “They know that we’re not going to concede one single state.”

Aides to Dukakis said the three-term Massachusetts governor was delighted by his reception at the closing session of the 40th Democratic convention.

Dukakis, whose wife, Kitty, said he got only four hours of sleep, quickly went to work in Texas--spreading his message and trying to win over voters he will need to beat Bush in the fall.

“We have 110 days,” he told a unity rally earlier in the day, adding that he will need every vote he can garner to regain the White House for Democrats after eight years of exile.

The first rally was near the hometown of Bentsen, the polished conservative politician who is expected to boost the ticket in Texas and the South. It also was the first stop in Dukakis’ post-convention, five-state swing.

The campaign has said it will put special emphasis on the big electoral prizes, which the Democrats have had trouble winning during the last two decades.

But with the rallying cries of thousands of delegates who cheered throughout his acceptance of the Democratic nomination Thursday night, Dukakis was off and running.

He told reporters that he and Bentsen overcame diversity at the 4-day conclave and emerged “strong, united and ready to win.”

Met With Faithful

Before leaving Atlanta, Dukakis met with party faithful at the traditional unity breakfast and was given the full support of his last rival for the presidential nomination, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who ensured harmony with his backing of Dukakis earlier last week for a promise of a “major role” in the fall campaign.

In persuading a roomful of his supporters to keep working, now for for Dukakis and the Democratic Party, the fiery preacher said the conservative Bentsen would change his mind about supporting military aid for the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

“What does it mean in practical terms?” Jackson asked of the addition of Bentsen to the ticket. “It means the Contras have lost a vote.”

Dukakis laughed as the crowd rose to its feet, crying: “No more Contra aid,” a rallying chant that has surfaced during Bentsen’s appearances and produced the only sign of discord during the convention.

Hasn’t Changed Position

At the news conference, Bentsen said he had not changed his position, but added, “Finally, the President of the United States makes the final decision on that type of thing.”

Meanwhile, GOP candidate Bush, in a tour of the polluted New Jersey shore Friday, conceded that some polls show him trailing Dukakis but said he was not worried.

“I never thought it would be a cakewalk. I see these surveys where I’m behind. I like that,” Bush said. “I can fight back. I will take Texas.”

Bush--as well as Bentsen--claims Texas as his home.

‘Very Good Speech’

Bush said Dukakis gave “a very good speech” in Atlanta Thursday night and said he did not take the Democratic nominee’s criticism personally.

Dukakis obliquely criticized Bush during his convention speech, saying Bentsen would not be afraid to tell the President that some of the President’s policies were wrong.

“I don’t take it as personal criticism,” Bush said of Dukakis’ comment that the White House would operate more as a team if he is elected. “I have a relationship with the President. I’m welcome to tell him anything I think.”