Mike Dukakis: 'Underwhelmed' by 'Fundamentally Conservative' Jeb Bush

Count former Gov. Mike Dukakis, D-Mass., as underwhelmed by former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., but insisted he was fundamentally conservative. Dukakis, who lost to Bushs father in the 1988 presidential race, talked to U.S. News and World Report on the 2014 elections and the 2016 presidential contest:

Q: Who do you think on the Republican side is a legitimate messenger?

Dukakis: In 1996, I debated Jeb Bush. He was for [Bob] Dole and I was for [President Bill] Clinton, at the University of Tennessee. I got to tell you, I was underwhelmed. But who knows, he might be a credible candidate.

Q: Why was he underwhelming?

Dukakis: I didnt see a lot there. Very conservative. I was amazed at how fundamentally conservative he was, philosophically and otherwise.

Q: You know, the problem with him now in the Republican Party is that hes not conservative enough.

Dukakis: I know that, but consider the source.