Former Governor Michael Dukakis Supports Local Candidate

Former Massachusetts Governor and 1988 Democratic Presidential nominee, Michael Dukakis attended a dinner and fundraiser on Thursday, March 27, in Camarillo, CA. The event, held in support of Jill Martinez who is vying for the 24^th District Congressional seat held by Elton Gallegly, attracted about 50 supporters to a private home.

As supporters of Ms. Martinez, enjoyed a meal of Persian food complimented by fine California wine, they had a chance to speak to Governor Dukakis in small groups and one on one. The Governor's wife, Kitty, also attended the event and proved to be as much in demand for conversation as her husband.

After the guests had their fill, Governor Dukakis gave a speech in support of Ms. Martinez while that ranged from personal anecdotes to commentary on today's most pressing concerns facing America.

On a personal level, he told how Kitty Dukakis once volunteered her time at Camarillo State Hospital, which is now the site of California State University Channel Islands and which is located only about five miles from the fundraiser's site.

Of the Bush administration, he said, "This national administration, that we have been living under now for almost eight years, has to be the worst national administration that I have ever lived under."

To a round of applause, he added, "We are better than this!"

Regarding the war in Iraq, he stated, "I think invading Iraq will probably go down as the dumbest decision ever made in the history of American foreign policy and there is nothing conservative about it. I mean, genuine conservatives like Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan have opposed the war from the beginning. Why? Because it is not consistent with American values and our traditions."

As for John McCain, Dukakis disparaged his idea that our leaving Iraq would somehow "betray" the Iraqi people by handing a victory to Al-Qaeda. He noted that Usama Bin Laden loathed Suddam Hussein and would never have paired up with him in anything-not even an attack on the United States.