Robert Bork, the former Supreme Court nominee, said the 1988 Presidential election will have an "important impact" on the future of the nation's judicial system.

"One gathers from the leading Democrats that they really want judges who make policy and make it in a certain direction and I think that's what will happen if Gov. [Michael S.] Dukakis is elected," Bork said. The judge criticized Harvard Law School professors for signing a committee report opposing his nomination which Bork called "quite distorted."

Bork also criticized Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54 (D-Mass.). "The whole episode did not change my opinion of Senator Kennedy," Bork said. "My opinion of him is probably not flattering on most scales."

Jeane Kirkpatrick disappointed many conservatives when she refused to run for president. Now, the former U.N. Ambassador is questioning the wisdom of that decision.

"In retrospect, maybe I should've run," she told well-wishers yesterday at a New York Post reception. The Post had endorsed Kirkpatrick for vice president. calling her "an extraordinary combination of political popularity and intellectual substance."

Kirkpatrick, who belatedly endorsed the candidacy of Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.), said that media magnate Rupert Murdoch had strongly encouraged her to run. "I'm chicken--call me chicken," she told The Crimson, explaining her decision to stay out of the race.

The Post reception attracted New York developer Donald Trump, Walter Cronkite, Sen. Alphonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.), and new Post owner Peter Kalikow. D'Amato, accompanied by New York delegate Lionel Hampton on the vibes, led the room in a round of "Happy Birthday" for Post Executive Vice President Dan Cremins.

Kalikow said his paper probably won't back either Dukakis or Bush until late October. "We're not disclosing or discussing or even deciding anything until the campaign gets well underway because issues are very important to us, like taxes, like defense, things like that. We want to see both candidates' positions...We're not on either side yet, not by a longshot."

Kalikow said he is "very encouraged" by Dukakis' selection of Sen. Lloyd M. Bentsen (D-Tex.) as his running mate. "His choice of Lloyd Bentsen shows he can be pragmatic when he has to be." He also praised Bush for picking an ideologue as his running mate in Sen. Dan Quayle (R-N.Y.).

The post hasn't endorsed the vice president, but Donald Trump has. The New York developer called George Bush a "good man."

"I think he's a very talented guy who frankly is quite a bit underrated," said Trump. "If his real ability comes to the fore, and I think it will, I think he's going to be an outstanding president," Trump said.

Available at the Hyatt press center--a list of over "words you won't find in the Democratic Platform Among them are: God, grazing, and Gramm- Rudman. Also missing: quota, Cuba and church.

Republicans have been stressing that the Democratic platform is short on specifics. Some delegates spot blank buttons, buttons they say bear Dukakis' position on the issues.

Fashion-conscious Republicans know that it's better to look good than to feel good. So the folks at Clairol sponsored a "Freshen Up Lounge" where guests could see how they look in another hair color via color vision computer.

Reagan loyalists working to gain the Gipper a spot on the Republican ticket failed. A "Reagan for V.P." movement fizzled after Bush picked Quayle.

Some Texas Republicans hope former Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach, who led the Dallas Cowboys to two Superbowl victories, will lead the them in victory against Bentsen in November. They held a "Draft Staubach" meeting yesterday in New Orleans, to show their support for the former NFL quarterback.

A comic book being distributed at the convention shows Dukakis dressed in a dress, high heels and a string of pearls. The comic book lambastes Dukakis for honoring a Salem, Mass. witch and for his stances on crime and social issues.

The College Republican National Committee (CRNC) is passing out "Get Out of Jail, Free" cards, resembling those found in the game "Monopoly." On the back, the cards say Dukakis "furloughed more than one murderer per day" before the program was cancelled.

"Mike Dukakis is the killer's best friend, and the decent, honest citizen's worst enemy," according to the CRNC.

Ronald Reagan called him a "national hero," but the name of Oliver North hasn't been uttered from the podium here in New Orleans.

The Oliver North Youth Corps issued a statement Wednesday denouncing the "gutless wonders" at the Republican National Committee for discouraging convention speakers from mentioning the indicted former National Security Council employee.

Harry Lee, the Jefferson Parrish Sheriff who made national headlines when he ordered his deputies to stop Blacks driving through exclusive white neighborhoods was at the convention with his wife, who showed up without credentials. Security guards moved quickly, however, to secure Mrs. Lee a "Security personnel" pass, clearly a violation of security guidelines, so she could see President Reagan's speech.