Dukakis to Zero In on Bush’s Choice of Quayle, Aide Says

Michael S. Dukakis plans to portray the selection of embattled Republican running mate Dan Quayle as an example of George Bush’s lack of judgment and leadership, a theme that will play a major role in Democratic strategy for the fall campaign, the Dukakis campaign said today.

“One issue we are certain to hear more of from Democrats across the board is the selection of Sen. Quayle and his record and qualifications,” said Susan Estrich, Dukakis campaign manager, at a briefing on strategy for the final two months of the White House race.

Estrich predicted that “Dan Quayle is going to emerge not only as an issue but a liability because it goes to judgment and it goes to leadership.”

The Democratic presidential nominee is spending most of today at the Massachusetts Statehouse before flying to California for three days of campaigning in Western states.