Here is the biography of Michael Dukakis:
Michael Stanley Dukakis was born on November 3, 1933, to Greek-immigrant parents in Brookline, Massachusetts. He grew up in an era and place where non-Anglo-Saxon ethnicity was looked down upon, and his family was committed to assimilation. Dukakis attended Swarthmore College, graduating in 1955, and then served as an enlisted intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. After completing his military service, he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1960.
Dukakis began his political career in the General Court (Massachusetts legislature) and was later elected governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1974, defeating the incumbent Republican Francis W. Sargent. He served three terms as governor, from 1975 to 1979, and again from 1983 to 1991.
During his governorship, Dukakis was known for his reform-minded technocratic approach and his ability to preside over a booming economy fueled by the high-technology industry. He was credited with the "Massachusetts Miracle" and was given credit for his successful administration, including his leadership during the Blizzard of 1978.
In 1988, Dukakis ran for the Democratic presidential nomination and won the party's nomination. He ran against Republican candidate George H.W. Bush and lost the election. The campaign was marked by a series of negative ads and personal attacks, including the infamous "Willie Horton" ad, which criticized Dukakis' record on crime and race.
After his defeat, Dukakis retired from active politics and went on to serve on the board of directors for Amtrak. He later became a professor of political science at Northeastern University and a visiting professor of public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also been involved in grassroots campaigning and advocating for effective public transportation and high-speed rail.
Dukakis has been praised for his commitment to public service and his leadership during times of crisis. He has also been criticized for his perceived lack of passion and his inability to connect with voters. Despite his defeat, Dukakis remains a respected figure in Massachusetts politics and a symbol of the state's liberal tradition.
