How Mike Dukakis told the truth and it cost him the biggest job in the world

Our radio column every Wednesday with George Hook on High Noon is built on the concept that one moment can change everything.

This breakthrough media moment is about how Governor Michael ‘Mike’ Dukakis told the truth and it cost him the 1988 American Presidential election.

Michael Dukakis was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He began his political career as a Town Meeting Member in Brookline, before successfully serving as Governor of Massachusetts, twice, for a total of 12 years. During his time as Governor, he turned the state of Massachusetts around.

Dukakis sought the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States in 1988. His opponent – Republic candidate George H. W. Bush.

Priding himself as a fair opponent, Dukakis wanted to make sure his campaign was run ethically, he therefore personally hired those working on his team. With Dukakis there would be no playing dirty. When his own campaign manager, John Sasso, leaked information on rival Joe Biden, Dukakis apologised and fired Sasso.

During the campaign, Dukakis’ mental health also became an issue when he refused to release his full medical history. It had been rumoured that he suffered severe depression after loosing his role as senator briefly in 1979. Dukakis later said he believed it was an attempt by the Bush campaign to force him to release his full medical records. This was the smear campaign against Dukakis just getting started.

On September 21, 1988, the Americans for Bush group began running a campaign ad entitled “Weekend Passes”, using the Willie Horton, the case of a murderer and rapist to attack Dukakis, as he favoured weekend passes for criminals.

On October 5, 1988, the Bush campaign then ran its own ad, “Revolving Door”, which also attacked Dukakis over the weekend furlough program. It showed a group of intimidating-looking men walking in and out of prison through a revolving door.

Dukakis’ campaign was continually unravelling as Election Day crept closer, but he didn’t fight back with dirty tactics.

In a bid to counteract his soft image Dukakis undertook a PR stunt by riding a battle tank and wearing a helmet. The moment backfired. The New York Times nicknamed him “Macho Mike Dukakis”. Bush’s campaign used the footage to create an ad to show Dukakis as unqualified of being commander in chief. The grinding gear effects were added in by the Bush team to further enforce their view of an incompetent Dukakis.

October 13th 1988, Governor Michael Dukakis steps on stage alongside George H. W. Bush at the Pauley Pavillion, University of California.There was just three weeks until polling day and the election of the 41st President of the United States. Dukakis needed a good performance. Polls showed him leading Bush early on, but this lead was quickly dwindling.

The adjudicators consisted of a small panel of four journalists. Bernard Shaw of CNN, Ann Compton of ABC NEWS, Margaret Warner of Newsweek magazine and Andrea Mitchell of NBC NEWS. Bernard Shaw was known for being tough and asking difficult questions.

Dukakis in previous debates had struggled with portraying his emotions. He had undergone media training from his team of advisors, this was the debate he needed to win. In this moment Dukakis could save his crumbling campaign.

It was an easy opportunity for Mike Dukakis to sound human, but he discussed his opposition to the death penalty. The thought of his wife in such a horrific ordeal did not faze him or cause any emotion. Reporters and his campaign colleagues knew in that moment it was over for Dukakis.

Instead of giving the rehearsed answer, Dukakis told the truth. This debate and his performance were the last nail in the coffin of Dukakis’ crumbling presidential campaign. When he came off stage he knew he had blown it. Three weeks later Bush won the election with 80% of the electoral margin having overcome a 17-point deficit in the midsummer polls. The following day, Dukakis returned to his role as Governor.

Michael Dukakis’ biggest crime was telling the truth, rather than telling a lie and it cost him the most powerful job in the world.

You can listen to our latest column here.