CAMPAIGN ’88 : Jackson, Advisers Meet
Jackson met with advisers and addressed House Democrats in Washington on Wednesday prior to leaving today for California, which will be the last big test of his political strength.
Many of the advisers represented the interest groups that have been drawn to Jackson’s cause, but those in the meeting insisted that Jackson’s focus remains political victory, not moral crusade.
“The Jesse Jackson I heard talked about going all out,” said Ann Lewis, a political consultant and adviser to the campaign.
“How do you win these (upcoming) states?” asked James Zogby, executive director of the Arab-American Institute. “You win these states by getting constituencies mobilized.”
Earlier, Jackson had addressed about 50 or 60 members of the House Democratic Caucus and a smaller group of Democrats from Western states in two meetings on Capitol Hill.
In those sessions, Jackson said he had not asked for the convention votes of Congress’ so-called “super delegates,” a group of delegates who were selected to represent the party leadership rather than candidates themselves.
Jackson said he suggested that the super delegates, who can commit to a candidate at any time, not take a bandwagon approach to the nomination before the primary season is over.
“Super delegates will do America a super favor by not interfering with the process,” Jackson said.
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