Jackson Says He May Start PAC, Hints at Running in ’88

In the first indication that he will run for President in 1988, the Rev. Jesse Jackson says he is “contemplating” the formation of a political action committee to carry out the “progressive thrust of the Rainbow Coalition.”

The committee’s immediate function would be to assist local candidates in next year’s House and Senate races, particularly in the South, Jackson said in an interview and which aides confirmed Tuesday.

But Jackson made clear that the committee also could provide a foundation for his own candidacy--and that, regardless of what decision he might make regarding the 1988 race, he intends to remain a force in presidential politics. He did not, however, explicitly say when he might announce his plans.

Third Party Seen

Still smarting at the Democratic Party’s refusal to change its delegate selection rules in 1984, Jackson said that if he seeks the 1988 Democratic nomination, “either the party will be fair or we will open up the process” by forming a third party.

And if he runs, he said, “we’re going to fight for proportional representation until the bitter end.” Jackson, who was awarded more than 400 delegates at the Democratic National Convention last year, asserted that party rules cheated him out of 45% of the delegates he should have had.

Jackson ended his candidacy with a dramatic speech at the convention, and many of his supporters have been angered by what they call the party’s unfair treatment of Jackson. At the same time, they believe his political appeal remains strong.

‘Is Taking Steps’

Thus, said one adviser, Jackson “is taking steps that anyone in his position would take” by considering the committee.

Already, Jackson’s advisers have submitted several proposals for a PAC and for strategies designed to enhance Jackson’s image as a candidate. The proposals outline the financial advantages of a PAC to a candidate and assert that creating one could demonstrate the stability of Jackson and his organization, National Rainbow Coalition Inc., a national network of nonprofit political groups.

Yolanda H. Caraway, the coalition’s chief of staff, said that a political action committee would help raise money for “progressive” candidates and could help elect an additional five members of minorities to Congress.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s aides--aware that his supporters last year were largely disaffected liberals and members of lower-income groups--are focusing on ways to broaden his appeal. In that connection, Jackson has established ties to farmers, who still appeal to him for help in their struggle to avert financial disaster and has increasingly allied himself with international peace groups.

On behalf of a coalition of peace groups, Jackson met two weeks ago with Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev in Geneva and discussed the plight of Soviet Jews. He failed to gain an audience with President Reagan.

Noting this and Reagan’s refusal to meet with other black civil rights leaders, Jackson said in the interview that while Administration officials “talk about a closed society” in the Soviet Union, “I’m here to tell you there’s a closed-door policy” in the United States.

He castigated the Administration for its foreign policy, budget proposals and opposition to voting rights laws, but he was equally harsh in his criticism of the Democratic National Committee. “The Democratic Party will not make a commitment to be fair,” Jackson declared.