Some Democrats Turn Attention to Unsung Kansas

The Democratic presidential contenders for the most part are now focused on Michigan caucuses on March 26, where 138 delegates will be at stake. But several of the campaigns, seeking whatever momentum they can, are hoping to garner a victory in the little-noticed Kansas precinct caucuses, where 39 delegates will be at stake Saturday.

So far, none of the candidates except Tennessee Sen. Albert Gore Jr. has campaigned in the state personally. Gore stumped the state for two days this week.

But the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis are scheduled to make last minute stops in the state today. Illinois Sen. Paul Simon and Missouri Rep. Richard A. Gephardt have no plans to visit here.

Dukakis Favored

Dukakis has built the best organization in the state, and consequently party officials believe he is favored to take the most delegates.

“He’s better known and he has the status of front-runner,” said state party chairman Jim Parrish.

But Jackson, coming off a strong showing in Illinois, is expected to do well, largely with a combination of black support in the urban areas, white liberals in the college towns of Lawrence and Manhattan, and hard-hit farmers, a group that lent him some support in the Iowa caucuses last month.

Gephardt, who is campaigning heavily in Michigan, has pinned his hopes here largely on the endorsements of the state’s two Democratic congressmen and the prospect that his get-tough-on-trade policy message will win him support among auto workers in Kansas City.

Concentrates on Northeast

Simon has been concentrating on the northeastern part of the state.

Gore campaigned in the state Wednesday and Thursday, with visits to a Boeing plant in Wichita and an address to a joint session of the state Legislature in Topeka and farmers in Hays.

Gore is hoping his high visibility and personal visit will counter Dukakis’ organizational strength, and party chairman Parrish said the strategy has merit.

“People have a ravenous appetite for people to come here and not just do a television campaign,” he said.

Receives Endorsement

Gore received a key endorsement from Sedgwick County Democratic Chairman Lee Kinch of Wichita and glowing praise from the publisher of the Wichita Eagle-Beacon, one of the state’s leading newspapers.

Party officials said even with Dukakis’ apparent organizational strength, the race is still wide open.

“For a change, there are tons of undecided out there at this late stage,” said Pat Leahman, a labor official and former state party chairman.

“It’s really up in the air,” agreed Paul Scranton, executive director of the state Democratic Party. “I wouldn’t be surprised by nearly any result.”

The Republican Party held its county caucuses last month, with favorite son Sen. Bob Dole sweeping the 34 national convention delegates.