Kevin McKeough, NIU associate professor of political science, will assess the 1988 pre-election political scene at the Faculty Club’s Oct. 25 meeting.

McKeough said, “Basically, (the speech) is going to be a review and an analysis of the campaign at that point, an assessment of the debates.” The speech is scheduled to run from noon to 1:20 p.m. in the Neptune Residence Hall’s southeast meeting room.

Determining a winner in the recent presidential and vice-presidential debates depends on the criteria used for judgment, McKeough said.

In the first presidential debate, Dukakis came across with substance and Bush with form and symbolism, he said. And he added, “Obviously, respected polls clearly indicate that (Sen. Lloyd) Bentsen was superior to (Sen. Dan) Quayle” in the vice-presidential debates.

As far as which way Illinois could swing, McKeough said, “It’s very difficult to tell at this point. Almost anything could happen. A major blunder by either of the candidates could turn the vote one way or another.

“In the electoral college battle, the grand prize will be California, followed by Texas, Illinois and New York, although New York is pretty secured for Dukakis.”

McKeough said Dukakis’ main problems lie in reference to his absence of passion. “He has the image of a technocrat. He seems to have problems stepping on his punchlines; his voice trails off when he tries to tell a joke. Also, he does not have the ability to manipulate symbols.

“Bush’s problems still seem to be in relation to the recent involvement in the Iran arms-for-hostages swap and his connections to General (Manuel) Noriega. Despite his well-crafted campaign, there still seems to be lingering questions to his stength as a leader,” McKeough said.

He said President Reagan’s backing of his vice president actually might hinder Bush’s campaign. “There is a question of the ability of any president to transfer popularity to a hand-picked successor.”

McKeough said that in the 1960 presidential campaign, President Eisenhower backed then Vice President Richard Nixon, which undercut Nixon, and John Kennedy was able to win.

“There was problem in the 1986 senatorial race, in which Reagan vigorously campaigned for Republican senators, but the attempt backfired,” McKeough said.

The catered lunch at the speech is $4.50 for members and $5.50 for non-members.