the first political figure i ever supported was michael dukakis, for two reasons: 1) my dad told me to, and 2) he was greek, like my dad, who told me i was supporting dukakis.

i was pretty much the only democrat in my catholic school, which was made incredibly apparant the day before election day. we held a schoolwide poll of all children to see who we wanted to become president. sure, it’s easy to guess that bush won amongst children at a christian private school - but how much of the vote did he get?

bush won by 96%. the only two kids who voted for dukakis were me and the kid who’s mom got divorced so he got whatever video games he wanted. his mom probably told him to vote democratic to spite his dad. later, they sold their house to michael j. fox.

the only two things i ever did for dukakis were vote in that school election, and put a dukakis bumper sticker on our station wagon without permission. sure, my mom was pissed, but i think my dad was a little proud.

and then he beat me. beat me with a belt. dukakis ‘88!