Thursday, November 29, 2007
Michael Dukakis said that, as the son of Greek immigrants, he had always felt a special responsibility to the United States. Dukakis, former Massachusetts governor and 1988 presidential candidate, fulfilled that responsibility with a life dedicated to public service. He shares his experiences at “An Evening with Michael Dukakis” tonight at 7:30 at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.
Dukakis said he was proud to be part of a nation of immigrants and the most open political system in the world.
Dukakis graduated from Swarthmore College and Harvard Law School, and served in the U.S. Army. In 1978, Dukakis was elected as the Massachusetts governor, and he brought the state out of a period of record-high unemployment and a severe economic crisis. Dukakis said he thoroughly enjoyed his career in public service.
“There’s nothing like it; it has to be the highest calling,” Dukakis said. “And there’s no reason why you can’t maintain a high standard of integrity in public service.”
Dukakis said he encouraged his students to pursue careers in public and community service, but not if a large salary was a priority.
“If you want to make a lot of money, don’t go into public service,” Dukakis said.
Clarissa Unger, Dole Institute student assistant and Colby junior, said Dukakis would be a wealth of information for the presidential election because he was a candidate himself. She also said Dukakis had an incredible record as the Governor of Massachusetts and it would be interesting to hear how he turned things around for his state.
With his experience in the 1988 presidential campaign trail, Dukakis said he would visit about the upcoming election. He said campaigning had become such a drawn-out process that, as a candidate, it became very impersonal hearing yourself say the same things over and over. He said if he was running for president he would employ the tactics of former Vice President Al Gore or former President Bill Clinton: riding through the nation, stopping in communities to personally meet the voters.
Today, Dukakis teaches one semester at Northeastern University in Massachusetts, and one semester at the University of California in Los Angeles. He said he thought the nation was turning out some of its strongest students right now, and he enjoyed working with those who were active in public and community service.
Barbara Ballard, Dole Institute Associate Director of Outreach, said she would ask Dukakis a variety of questions to help the public see both the personal and professional side of Governor Dukakis.
“I think when we say ‘evening with Michael Dukakis’ we want people to leave knowing a lot more than when they came in,” Ballard said. “We want to give people a global picture of Michael Dukakis.”
Ballard said although Dukakis had strong name recognition, many people only knew one side of him. She said few people realized his many roles as the Massachusetts governor, a presidential candidate, a son of Greek immigrants, a university professor and that he held law degree from Harvard. Ballard said his commitment to public service was highly commendable.
“How did he come to dedicate his whole live to public service?” Ballard said. “It’s the trying that is important.”
Dukakis said he looked forward to visiting with the audience at the Dole Institute tonight. He said one thing that didn’t come through in the campaigns was his great sense of humor.
“Humor isn’t encouraged in the campaigns for some reason,” Dukakis said. “But it will be in full display at KU.”
Tonight’s event is free and open to the public.
Edited by Meghan Murphy
Dole Institute 'winds up' for Nov. 2
Award recognizes students dedicated to service
Service award in honor of former Chancellor Hemenway will be given out ...
Dole speaks at RNC event
The former senator and presidential candidate backs McCain, slams Obama
Former GOP candidate to speak at Dole ...
Gov. Tim Pawlenty will give insight on the presidential primary Tuesday night.
Dole Institute director joins campaign
Bill Lacy, director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics returns ...
Governor Tim Pawlenty speaks at the Dole ...
Pawlenty talks about the upcoming presidential election, politics and the importance of ...
Political power couple to speak at Lied ...
Bob and Elizabeth Dole will answer questions, promote public service.
Dole Center to host campaign lectures
Talks will feature political journalists and examine 2008 races.
Strategists discuss presidential race
Political experts said Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary would be indicators ...
Dole Institute emphasizes student political involvement
Civic Engagement Week wraps up today with a watch party for the ...
Thompson campaign manager remains hopeful after Michigan ...
Bill Lacy left his job indefinitely as director of the Dole Institute ...
Ballard files for reelection
First elected in 1993, Ballard is a former Associate Director of the ...
Sen. Bob Dole to receive Public Service ...
At 7:30 p.m. today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole will accept the Rosalie ...
Doles discuss careers at Lied Center
At annual Dole Lecture, senators talk about achievements and friendship with Sen. ...
Dole Institute names fall Fellows
Austin, owner of his own political and public relations firm, will use ...
Accomplished California politician speaks at Dole
Former mayor and State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown brought balance and understanding ...
Sen. Barack Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden ...
After months of speculation, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee announces his running ...
Profile: Student presidential candidates
Not sure how to vote? Use these presidential and vice-presidential candidate profiles ...
Political event lures students with pepperoni
New York Post correspondent will share his experiences over pizza today.
Lacy returns to the Dole Institute after ...
Thompson’s campaign manager finishes Thompson’s presidential run and joins the University once ...
Civic Engagement Week gets students involved
Throughout the week, students will have the chance to get involved in ...
Dole Institute to hold student dinner
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics will hold a free dinner ...
Ballard encourages students to serve
This fall students are taking a class from Barbara Ballard designed to ...
Students of Liberty endorses Envision coalition
The coalition decided not to run candidates this year because of lack ...
Former President Bush to speak at KU
Nation’s 41st leader will speak at the Lied Center and will accept ...
Past, present, future presidents discussed
The four-part series, presented by journalists and speakers from across the country, ...
“White Glove” tour displays Dole’s college, political ...
Tour provides opportunity to get an up-close tour of former Sen. Bob ...
Professor to give lecture on campaign ads
The lecture will cover Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s campaign advertisements and ...
Governor’s departure poses problems
Sebelius’ acceptance of HHS secretary leaves Kansas’ future and Obama’s health care ...
‘Barack Chalk Jayhawks’ show support for Obama
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) spoke at a rally last Monday night ...
Dole Institute welcomes columnist
Robert Novak wrote the column identifying CIA operative Valerie Plame in July ...
Roles of first spouses changing
Jenny Sanford, first lady of South Carolina, spoke at the Robert J. ...
Senate set to vote on new campaign ...
New election rules about money rules and campaign lengths are part of ...
KU students talk voter registration at Harvard
Leaders of political groups from the University of Kansas met with students ...
Students' Rights wins no seats in election
Smaller third party struggles with name recognition
Sen. Brownback addresses RNC delegates
He says Gov. Sebelius would lose Senate race for his seat, endorses ...
Student Senate coalitions announce their spring nominees
United Students, Envision and Students for Liberty will be on the ballot ...
Harold Godwin to speak on health care
Godwin will discuss the issues former Gov. Sebelius will face in her ...
Editorial: Calling the race early
Coverage of the 2008 presidential race often looks at the noteriety of ...
News Brief: August 20, 2007
Additional news for August 20, 2007
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID