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Former Gov. Michael Dukakis, (D-Mass.), on the GOP candidates and whether the economy’s slow recovery will help or hurt the president’s reelection...
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What they've got to be looking up to the president right now flying high peoples so President Obama pulling ahead of that Romney as the economy shows some signs -- -- my next guest knows first stands.
How an improving economy can work for you or against you.
Four year old behavior of the incumbent vice president named George Bush senior.
In 1988.
Not for you know leader of the democratic governor and Michael -- -- challenge.
But this time it is a democratic incumbent president trumpeting an improving economy and Michael Dukakis -- the same holds true.
Advantage incumbent governor good to have you thanks -- come.
Feel good to be with -- -- so on that basis -- aren't good for Barack Obama.
Yeah I think it's good but I think anybody who thinks is gonna be easy is -- himself.
This is going to be a tough race.
As you know I am not a fan of that -- -- -- -- good reasons but.
Any time the economy struggling and we're still struggling we're getting there I think we're beginning now recovery.
It's not going to be easy so the president and the people of -- -- like myself gonna have to work very very hard to get reelected I think we can but it's not going to be easy.
Don't we he -- didn't trumpeting bomb to slow and steady.
-- jobs.
Recovery governor.
Republicans to -- -- continues slow and not very steady.
You you know all the numbers about at the unemployment rate is higher than it was when you assumed office -- -- never get another crack at that office.
We're close we're -- but what could tip it.
-- Mitt Romney if he's the nominee.
Well I think.
The possibility that something will happen internationally which will have a profound effect on this I don't think that's going to happen but.
We've got the situation in Europe which you just documented.
We've got -- situation with Iran which is not -- very happy one the Syrian situation I mean these are all.
Things that could affect people's perception of the economy and in any event.
It's a complicated world it was you know so well.
You know -- you mentioned what you're happen I'm sorry sir but you mentioned Europe particularly it.
Greece -- know you have interest in that section of the liberal and do not I'm I'm wondering governor that.
That is probably a more pressing concern.
Because of our exposure -- -- it's apparently much more profound than we.
We believe and that.
Greece goes -- walks away from it stats -- trouble meeting its obligations.
Then Katie bar the door bad news period when -- I don't it's really catastrophic and I think in an interesting way -- and you know a lot more about these things and I do.
The United States is -- insulated from Europe but we seem to be getting back on our feet notwithstanding a lot of shocks.
Didn't mention Japan on the nuclear meltdown of that kind of thing which also -- could -- so was this some resiliency here in.
The American economy which I think will withstand.
Some of this stuff but again.
This is not.
An ideal situation for an incumbent.
On the other hand.
As you know Romney's record on the economy masters was a disaster so was the notion that he's gonna -- -- and tell -- that.
He's gonna turn this around this kind of laughable for those of.
Us and wait and -- -- you have -- now.
-- he callables the same about your record I don't know why that is.
Well wasn't it Rick Perry has said that I could I created through to as many jobs he did I think he said that one of those debates.
But we -- fourth from the bottom and job creation under run.
I mean it was a disaster in our state infrastructure was following a part of that guy in those of us who watched him in action know that so.
How he's -- -- were put himself forward as the guys gonna turn this economy around is is beyond us and obviously we're gonna have to make sure the people this country know that but nevertheless I think.
Any incumbent that's -- been working to get us out of the best that we -- -- Is not gonna have an easy path than the present gonna have to campaign -- campaign hard to get himself reelected I think he -- I think he well but.
This is not gonna be.
-- -- -- You don't -- have already troubled US had a lot of experience during had you been elected president US a lot of administrative executive experience.
Of going in there that happens.
The rap against this president he kind of admitted it to Matt Lauer asks is that you know I got my on the job training I'm ready now -- better prepared now.
-- you know one would hope certainly that's the case but maybe that has been a problem on that that this is what's gonna come back to bite.
I don't think so look he's right I mean.
Remember deal I was elected I was defeated for reelection the first time came back and be together beat me and then served for two more -- that's right I was a much better I was a much better governor the second time around.
No question about I mean if you ask people -- masters as well they like me they didn't like they'll -- it.
I was just much better at a why you know there was a gap I ten years and he could pull -- -- people and pulled.
And maybe -- now.
I think I think if Obama's reelected he'll have a terrific second term I don't have any doubt about that really because Alia I don't because of the question about it and and he will be a better and better president because you get better at the job.
If you spend time mad at work at.
I did certainly no question about.
Given -- the record what are we gonna do and take a break it -- for the record on second term presidents least consecutive seconds -- presidents.
Isn't it great.
They're not -- -- was that was in erupted on Bill Clinton's was in erupted when he returned to the governorship in Arkansas but.
Jab and -- his second.
-- -- -- -- Clinton's second term was was closed that second term was a lot better this first and I think it's because.
He was a better present the second time around George Bush is on the other hand was a disaster well why don't remember I don't remember -- was a -- it's a concern.
What Clinton's -- Well it was pretty successful I mean.
He ended with the the biggest budgetary surplus we had had in.
Well -- just a decade pizza proceedings that are in an -- and well that was a problem but four point 3% unemployment and they budgetary surplus of a quarter return -- -- is not -- -- and Arnett that's how we ended.
Our general.
