Dukakis Rally Hails the Immigrant Dream : Welcome in Modesto Fuels Hopes in State

Democratic presidential nominee Michael S. Dukakis drew one of the largest crowds of his entire campaign here Saturday, to an event that became a rousing, emotional celebration of immigrant dreams.

It was an auspicious start for the Dukakis plan to win California’s 47 electoral votes by appealing both to the country’s immigrant heritage and to the values of small-town America.

“It is wonderful to be in this valley that is America,” Dukakis said in acknowledgement of the many Greek, Armenian, Syrian, Latino and Slavic peoples who populate the San Joaquin Valley.

“What an incredible mosaic of what this country is all about. And here I am, the son of immigrants, running for President with the grandson of immigrants . . . in this valley where so many immigrants came seeking opportunity, seeking the American dream.”

Police estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 people were surging toward the podium when Dukakis and his running mate, Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, and their wives appeared. The two candidates bounded up on stage to the strains of the song that is becoming the Dukakis theme, Neil Diamond’s “America,” a tribute to immigrants.

They were introduced by Rep. Tony Coelho of Merced, himself the grandson of Portuguese immigrants, and they were joined by Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy, now a U.S. Senate candidate, whose father came from Ireland.

The cheers and applause that greeted Dukakis were a reminder of the reception he received in Atlanta last Thursday night when he accepted the Democratic nomination with what many observers have called the best speech of his political career.

Impressed by Appearance

Some of those at the Modesto rally said they had seen Dukakis give that speech on television and were impressed that he was already speaking to them in person.

“I can’t believe he’s here, that I am standing here,” said Kopi Sotiropulos, who was born in Greece and now lives in Fresno with his wife, Elaine, and their two children.

The Dukakis visit, and the site of the rally, were no accident, however, but part of a carefully thought- out strategy.

Democratic presidential candidates do not usually carry California--the last time was 1964. But the Dukakis strategists believe they can win the state in November by augmenting Democratic strength in Los Angeles and San Francisco with strong showings in such places as the San Joaquin Valley, San Bernardino, Riverside and Sacramento counties, all areas that went heavily for President Reagan in the last two elections.

One consultant noted that Dukakis does not necessarily have to win these areas, “he just has to keep the bleeding down” the way California Democratic Sen. Alan Cranston did in his 1986 reelection.

Reagan Victory Margin

In Stanislaus County, where Modesto is situated, Reagan beat Walter F. Mondale in 1984 by 54,000 votes to 36,000; Reagan took nearby San Joaquin County by a margin of 81,000 to 53,000.

Democratic strategists believe that Dukakis will be well on his way to winning the state if he can greatly reduce those margins, as Cranston did.

Family and country are strong themes in these areas, so it was no accident that Dukakis and Bentsen emphasized their families Saturday.

Two recently naturalized citizens led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The local high school band struck up “God Bless America,” and red, white and blue balloons sailed into the sky when the rally ended.

As he often does, Dukakis talked about values and promised to make public service something to be proud of if he is elected.

He also promised to diversify the economy in small cities like Modesto, which is heavily dependent on agriculture and has experienced some rough times recently.

Jobless Rate ‘Unacceptable’

“Twelve percent unemployment in Modesto is unacceptable, and we are not going to accept it,” Dukakis said.

In an oblique slap at Vice President George Bush’s still-uncertain role in the Iran-Contra scandal, Dukakis said that he chose Bentsen as his running mate because he wants someone “who is strong,” someone who will alert the President when an “outrageous” idea--such as selling arms to Iran--comes along.

Bentsen, whose positions on such issues as defense and school prayer are much more conservative than Dukakis’, is on the national ticket in part to reassure white Democrats who have often defected to Republican ranks during the last 20 years to avoid what they have considered a reign of liberalism in the party.

There are a lot of those Democrats in the San Joaquin Valley. Many of their parents came here from Oklahoma and Texas in the “Dust Bowl” 50 years ago.

Bentsen made sure they knew Saturday that he believes he has something in common with them.

Feels at Home

“I was born and raised on a farm down in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas,” he told them. “And when I was driving down the highway on the way here this morning, looking at the palm trees, looking at the oleanders, looking at the vegetables you grow here . . . I said to my wife, ‘Dear, we’re home.’ ”

The crowd loved it. But it remains to be seen if Bentsen will be able to trade on his rural upbringing in the face of certain Republican charges that the 67-year-old senator has long been removed from those rural roots.

Bentsen’s father made millions in real estate and ranching, and the senator made his own fortune in Houston in insurance and real estate, and is better known these days as a frequenter of posh clubs and corporate board rooms.

But on Saturday in Modesto, the accent had just enough rural Texas in it to charge up people like Robert Lee Irwin, who voted for Reagan in 1984 but said: “I like old Lloyd and I’m going to vote for these guys this time.”

Staff writer Bob Drogin contributed to this story.