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Some try to recruit Michael Dukakis to run in 2016

Former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis in 2014.Stephan Savoia/AP/File

First they tried to draft US Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. She said no. Then they tried Al Gore. Same deal. And Vice President Joe Biden continues to mull the efforts to draft him into the 2016 presidential race.

Now the latest option? Michael Dukakis.

On Friday, organizers behind the Twitter handle @Dukakis2016 began touting the former Massachusetts governor's record and contrasting it with the rest of the Democratic field.

"Does #BernieSanders have a record on creating good, high-paying jobs in traditional sectors? No — Mike does. Let's get him in it to win it," one tweet read.

Organizers say a website and a poll of New Hampshire residents is coming in September.

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Max Smith, who describes himself as a Democratic activist from Boston, said this is no joke, that there are political donors from Boston and New Hampshire who want to help fund the effort.

"The [State Department] e-mail revelations are going to rock the Hillary Clinton campaign. We need somebody with stability," said Smith, who is part of the Draft Dukakis campaign.

But the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee told the Globe that another potential Dukakis versus Bush matchup is not in the cards.

"I am absolutely not a candidate for the presidency," said Dukakis, who is 81. "Kitty and I are supporting Hillary."


James Pindell can be reached at James. Pindell@globe.com.