“As with questions over whether Clinton is healthy enough to be president, the rumors about Dukakis began on the fringes. But they eventually found their way to the mainstream through powerful surrogates: President Ronald Reagan, in the case of Dukakis. He felt compelled, as Clinton has, to reassert his fitness for office. Dukakis told STAT that he believes that accusations about his health hurt him in his race against George H. W. Bush. One question for the Clinton campaign is whether she will also see her support slip as a result.”

Said Dukakis: “People don’t do this because they don’t think it’s going to work.”