Dukakis' Advice: 'Speak Slowly'

By Gar Joseph, Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: November 04, 1988

Nine-year-old Peter Roberts tries to do something today that Michael Dukakis could not do a month ago: win a clear victory over Vice President George Bush in a debate.

Roberts, a fifth-grader at Warren Snyder Elementary School in Bristol, Bucks County, portrays Democrat Dukakis in a mock debate with a sixth-grader playing Republican Bush.

To prepare, Roberts attended the Dukakis town meeting at Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills yesterday and asked the candidate himself if he had any advice.

"Smile frequently and speak slowly," Dukakis said.

"Any advice on what I should say?" Roberts asked.

"Respond to the attacks immediately," Dukakis answered.

Clearly, the Massachusetts governor has learned from his mistakes.

"Now I know what he acts like and the things he talks about," Roberts said later. "That will help me out acting more like him."

Roberts said he has liked Dukakis since the election campaign began.

"He's a nice guy. I just like him," Roberts said.

Roberts' mother, Roberta Roberts, said her son has been following the campaign more closely than the rest of the family.