Dukakis Says Jackson Enjoys No Special Edge for No. 2 Spot

Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, sending a discouraging response to signals of vice presidential aspiration from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said Wednesday that Jackson has not earned special consideration or a “leg up” as a potential running mate and refused to say whether Jackson would be qualified to succeed him.

Dukakis has said repeatedly that his vice presidential nominee would have to be qualified to serve as President. Asked whether Jackson fulfilled that criterion, he said only: “I’m not going to comment further on the vice presidency.”

The comments, in a hastily convened session with reporters after an address at Roxbury Community College here, came the day after Jackson entertained for the first time publicly the prospect that he might seek the vice presidency. Jackson said he had “earned consideration” for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket and declared: “If I put forth a vision, then reward me for it.”

In response, Dukakis praised Jackson for his “great gifts and great strengths,” but lumped him as a vice presidential prospect with the Democratic candidates who have already dropped out of the race.

“Any of the people who went out and worked hard to run for the presidency (and) have demonstrated the ability to put a campaign together and to win votes, have earned that right to be considered.” Dukakis said. “Because he has done so, of course, he’s somebody who should be considered.”

Pressed as to whether Jackson had earned special consideration because of the level of support he had received, Dukakis said: “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think any more than I would if I were the runner-up. I don’t know that that gives you a leg up or anything.”

Wants Many Viewpoints

Dukakis said the selection of a running mate should be left to the nominee to make “based on his and lots of good people’s view of what is best for the ticket, best for the party and best for the country.”

The two surviving Democratic candidates had exchanged signals previously about the prospect that Jackson might serve as Dukakis’ running mate, but never with the clarity of this week’s exchange. The question has assumed greater urgency as Dukakis appears poised to claim the Democratic nomination after the final primaries on Tuesday, and the two campaigns begin discussions of the role Jackson might play in the fall campaign.

Some factions among Jackson’s advisers have been encouraging him to seek the vice presidential nomination, but sources close to his campaign said Wednesday that Jackson had not yet made up his mind. Aides to Dukakis have exhibited a distinct lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of a Dukakis-Jackson ticket, suggesting that public animosity to Jackson would undermine the Democrats’ prospects.

Dukakis said Wednesday he was confident that even without putting Jackson on the ticket he could build a coalition that included significant support from black voters. “We will have that coalition, because he and people like him in the black community all over the country want to change the leadership in this country.”

Prefers to Wait

The Democratic front-runner has said he would not begin to think about a running mate until after the final primaries and reiterated that position Wednesday, saying he “certainly wouldn’t rule (Jackson) out. I wouldn’t rule anybody out at this point. . . .

“I think he’s somebody who has done a remarkable job and has great gifts and great strengths. I admire and respect him a lot, but once (June) 7th is over, we’ll sit down and think about running mates and platform and convention and other things.”

Dukakis said he believed Jackson would play an active role in the campaign whatever his capacity, adding that he expected his rival “to be out there working for the ticket, working hard, reaching out to my supporters, urging them to become a part of the campaign, providing input and help on policy, on issues, on strategy.

“If he were the likely nominee, and I were the No. 2 guy, I would expect to do that, and I believe and expect that he will as well.”