Laid-Back Dukakis Observes Presidential Race : Politics: But the former Democratic candidate can summon up some anger when he remembers the ’88 campaign.

Michael Dukakis lives in Florida, wears Hawaiian shirts but no socks, and doesn’t fret about his place on the sidelines of the 1992 presidential campaign. He seems relieved he’s not in it.

If the 1992 campaign kindles any nostalgia in Dukakis, it doesn’t show. Asked if he’s watching the campaign with any personal yearning, the 1988 Democratic nominee says, “No.”

But there seems to be emotion beneath the surface, certainly some residual anger when the subject comes up--especially concerning media coverage.

“I don’t blame anybody but myself for my defeat in ’88 but, having gone through it, I sure don’t want to see other people go through the same sort of thing,” the former Massachusetts governor said in a telephone interview.

Dukakis, 58, and his wife, Kitty, are living in the guest wing of a former campaign supporter’s home while he teaches at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. He loves the weather, favors Hawaiian shirts and takes power walks on the beach.

“I don’t wear socks,” said Dukakis, whose image on the presidential campaign trail was less than laid-back.

Dukakis almost always appeared in suit and tie during the 1988 campaign. He was perceived by many as unemotional to a fault, expressionless in responding to a nationally televised debate question on how he might react if his wife were raped.

This year, candidates are talking about national health care, one of his central themes. His economic plan might now have wider appeal and President Bush appears more vulnerable.

But Dukakis resists the temptation to say this should have been his year.

His political pace has slowed, although he can quickly tick off a list of teaching activities and speaking engagements that keep him talking about current issues such as health insurance reform. His schedule is so busy that “I’ve had to really begin to say no to lots of people,” he said.

He readily acknowledges that politics doesn’t carry the same thrill it once did.

He says he didn’t watch all of Bush’s State of the Union address, and he hasn’t watched all of the debates between the Democratic contenders.

But ask him about the media’s handling of candidates’ personal lives--such as an Arkansas woman’s unsubstantiated claims in a paid tabloid interview that she had a love affair with Democratic candidate Bill Clinton--and his juices start flowing.

“It’s obvious the national press corps isn’t acting any differently than they did in ’88. In fact, it’s worse,” said Dukakis, who saw a sex scandal eliminate competitor Gary Hart early in 1988. “I think Bill can survive this and go on, but if they keep it up, I don’t know who’s going to go up for this office. I’m sitting here just appalled.”

Bush, he said, is “very vulnerable and he should be. But those who are challenging him have got to have the opportunity to articulate their own vision for the country. And they’re not going to have that opportunity if private investigators hired by the national news media are running around chasing them.”

Unconfirmed rumors haunted Dukakis too.

“We were suddenly stopped in our tracks,” Dukakis said, recalling the crucial week just after the Democratic National Convention when he had to dispel questions about his psychiatric history by having his family doctor announce Dukakis was not undergoing treatment.

“One week later, we dropped eight points in the polls,” he said. “Frankly, we never got them back.”

Dukakis’ fall was swift and painful. He had been elected to a third term as governor by better than a 2-1 margin before running for President. The state economy appeared to be booming still, and Massachusetts was excited about his run for the White House.

When Dukakis came home, however, he got an icy reception, especially when he unveiled a budget calling for tax increases. Voters turned sour and as the situation worsened, Dukakis bashing became a popular sport.

Dukakis also faced problems in his personal life. Kitty Dukakis disclosed a drinking problem and sought treatment, but her recovery faltered. A year after her husband lost the election, she was hospitalized for drinking rubbing alcohol.

Kitty Dukakis later revealed in a book the painful behind-the-scenes depression and addiction that haunted her throughout her husband’s political career.

She is now training in Florida as part of a one-year program to earn a counseling certificate from the University of Massachusetts.

“She’s having a terrific experience,” Dukakis said.