Former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis tackled the major issues of the 2000 campaign last night in the Eliot House Junior Common Room.

Dukakis, who is currently teaching at Northeastern University, expressed support for Vice President Al Gore '69 over challenger Bill Bradley.

"While I am supporting the Vice President, I have a great amount of respect for Bill Bradley," Dukakis said. "There really are no frontrunners yet."

The informal discussion, organized by the Harvard-Radcliffe College Democrats, drew more than 50 students, and provided an open forum for students to ask questions and share their views.

The 2000 elections provide an opportunity for the Democratic Party to distinguish itself, Dukakis said.

"The upcoming election not only gives Democrats an opportunity to win, but to do so in a way that defines the difference between the two parties," he said. "We can become the majority party for the beginning of the new millennium."

Dukakis also touched on health insurance, an issue that has recently dominated the national discourse. He emphasized the Democratic Party's commitment to providing health care for all citizens.

"There are 44.3 million people who don't have a dime in health insurance," he said. "Most of these are working class people."