| 12 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago Dukakis: Obama more prepared for McCain
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(Brad Puffer, NECN) - The million-dollar question is whether this prolonged battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will end up hurting the party?
NECN’s Brad Puffer got some insight from former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.
Script:
As Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue to battle for the Democratic nomination - 1988 Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis has been watching - without taking a side.
"Each one of them is not only a pioneer, but has great strengths in their own right."
While Dukakis says he expects Obama will win the nomination, he does not believe Clinton should withdraw until after the last primary.
In fact, the former Massachusetts governor says this long tough battle for the nomination may have made Obama better prepared to face John McCain.
Dukakis went from a huge lead to a crushing defeat against George Bush Sr. after Bush's campaign went negative against Dukakis. There are many analysts who question whether Obama may be the next Dukakis, attacked for being elitist and liberal. Dukakis doesn't buy it.
"He knows he is going to be attacked, it has already happened. They are ready for it, as I was not, and unfortunately, my friend and former Lieutenant Governor John Kerry was not, when they went after him on the Swift boat thing, but nobody is going to let that happen again."
Still, Dukakis says organization will be key - that Democrats cannot concede any state - red or
blue - or any region in the country.
"Are you worried about Clinton voters not voting for Obama? No, not if we organize every precinct in America, if we do, we are going to win and win decisively if we don't, we're in trouble."
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