Man Cited by Dukakis in Debate Rejects Check Sent by Bush Kin

HOUSTON —  An unemployed Houston man whose lack of health insurance was used by Democrat Michael S. Dukakis to criticize Republican George Bush in Sunday’s presidential debate is returning a $400 check sent to him by Bush’s nephew so he could buy insurance.

Charles Strickland, 42, who lost his job two years ago when his Houston energy company moved, said he was upset with the check because he found it degrading.

“When I first opened it up, I felt kind of proud,” Strickland said Wednesday at a news conference organized by Dukakis staffers.

“But the more I read the letter, the more I believed that man had no concern for me, my son or my family. His main purpose was a political ploy. As an individual, I’m tired of being used as a political football on this issue.”

The check was sent by James R. Pierce Jr., a Houston insurance broker, who is a nephew of Barbara Bush, the vice president’s wife.

Strickland told Dukakis a week ago during a campaign stop at a Houston hospital that he could not allow his 11-year-old son to play sports in school because he did not have health insurance and could not afford to buy any.

Dukakis on Sunday said Strickland’s son could not play Little League because of a lack of insurance. The Dukakis campaign said the candidate misspoke and should have said “school sports.”

Strickland said he was upset that Dukakis’ misstatement was given media attention at the expense of the overall insurance issue.