Dukakis, Dewey

Kevin Phillips’ discovery of parallels between Michael Dukakis and Thomas Dewey (Opinion, Sept. 4) may be apt. I don’t really know since I’m not old enough to remember 1948.

It seems to me, however, that the similarities emerging between Dukakis and Richard Nixon are uncanny. Both are stiff, wooden figures trying to make the most of administrative experience (“competence counts”--”experience counts”). Both chose a running mate of millionaire, patrician status (Lloyd Bensten-Henry Cabot Lodge) with a higher ideological profile than themselves (true especially for Nixon’s choice of Spiro Agnew). And both, perhaps frighteningly, show a spirited devotion to their aloof regional adviser (John Sasso and H.R. Haldeman/John Erlichman) and a blind defense of their unethical behavior (orchestrated slurs on opponents--political dirty tricks) through an extraordinary rebuff to the spirit of the laws and Constitution by appealing to strict courtroom legality (“He did nothing illegal”--”I am not a crook”).

For me, these parallels are more convincing than Phillips’. My only question is: is this a re-run of 1960 or 1968?

ROBERT L. WOODS JR.

Claremont