POLITICS 88 : Koch Backs Gore, Creating Flicker of Hope for Long-Shot Campaign

Powerful and controversial Mayor Edward I. Koch on Thursday bestowed his long-awaited endorsement on Albert Gore Jr., creating a new flicker of hope for the Tennessee senator’s long-shot presidential campaign in the final days before the crucial Democratic primary here.

The New York mayor’s considerable political influence may help Gore shake his biggest problem, a perception that he is not a serious contender in what is developing as a two-man race for the nomination.

Although a strong showing next Tuesday is critical to the survival of Gore’s campaign, polls show him running a distant third, unable to break out of the single digits.

The endorsement from one of the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s harshest critics also addresses one of Gore’s deeper, more sensitive difficulties in this racially charged atmosphere--the idea that a vote for Gore indirectly helps Jackson by cutting into the margin of Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis. Gore and his aides have complained that the word is being passed quietly around, particularly among Jewish voters, that a vote for Gore amounts to a vote for Jackson.

Courting Jewish Voters

“The primaries in New York ought to be fought out on the basis of one’s hopes and not on the basis of one’s fears,” Gore insisted, adding that Koch’s endorsement says “once and for all in this city and this state, a vote for Gore is a vote for Gore.”

Although Gore has avidly courted Jewish voters by stressing his pro-Israel record, many of the conservative Jews who might otherwise support him are more driven by their desire to defeat Jackson. They cannot forgive Jackson for once referring to New York with the slur “Hymietown” and associating with black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, whose numerous anti-Semitic remarks have included a reference to Judaism as a “gutter religion.”

Never one to mince words, Koch added to the tension two weeks ago when he announced that any Jews or supporters of Israel “have got to be crazy” to vote for Jackson. Koch compared that prospect to a black’s voting for someone who supported the government of South Africa.

Gore has been alone among presidential contenders in directly criticizing Jackson, although his comments were far more subdued than the mayor’s.

‘A Positive Factor’

At this point, Koch’s endorsement is certain to be “a positive factor in the Jewish community,” which generally casts about one-fourth of New York’s Democratic primary votes, said City Councilman Robert J. Dryfoos, who is uncommitted in the presidential race.

Some analysts have speculated that Jackson may have benefited from Koch’s earlier attack, because it could increase turnout among angered blacks, who will rally behind the first of their race to make a serious run at the White House. Blacks compose another fourth of the Democratic electorate here.

“This primary is generating a lot of excitement,” Koch said wryly on Thursday. “I think I’ve had something to do with it.”

Before deciding whom to endorse, the mayor grilled both Gore and Dukakis this week on a variety of issues--particularly those such as drugs and homelessness that most affect cities. He refrained from criticizing Dukakis as he pronounced Gore the more suitable to become President, and said he would ultimately support whichever candidate is nominated by his party.

Could Back Jackson

Koch said he would even campaign for Jackson if he were the nominee but only because “he would be less destructive for the country than George Bush.”

Koch’s association with Gore goes back to their days together in the House. They also share many of the same political advisers, including media consultant David Garth.

Garth said the mayor would campaign actively with Gore.

“He (Koch) will be out there with him,” Garth said. “When he goes for you, he goes for you.”

The mayor will appear in television commercials with Gore and visit New York neighborhoods with the candidate, Garth said.

The stakes for Gore in New York are particularly high. It is seen as possibly his last chance to prove, after an impressive showing last month in the South on Super Tuesday, that he can win votes beyond his regional base.

Staff writer John J. Goldman contributed to this story.