Although he made light of his own presidential bid, former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis urged students to go into politics last night before a packed Starr Auditorium at the Kennedy School.

Dukakis, who recently became vice-chair of the Amtrak board, began by waxing rhapsodic about the rails and Boston's public transportation system.

"You are blessed with the best transit in the country and the lowest fares," he said. "So use the T."

The former governor played the audience like a stand-up comedian, cracking many jokes about his failed presidential run.

"The thing I remember most was a Saturday Night Live skit," Dukakis said at the event, which was part of the Institute of Politics' Summer-in-Boston program. "They had [Dana] Carvey doing this fabulous impression of Bush, and they pan to Jon Lovitz--playing me--and he says 'How could I be losing to this guy?'"

And when an audience member asked Dukakis if he would consider another run, he deadpanned, "Not if I want to stay married."

But Dukakis said his political life has been a satisfying experience despite the pitfalls.

"My passion in life is for public service. It always has been," he said. "I'm sorry I'm not starting all over again."

"There is nothing more fulfilling than being in a position where you can really make a difference in the lives of your fellow citizens," he added.