CAMPAIGN ’88 : Jackson Campaign Chief Boosts Glenn for Ticket

Only days after the Rev. Jesse Jackson asserted that he has “earned consideration” as a possible running mate for the likely Democratic nominee, his own campaign manager was touting Sen. John Glenn of Ohio for the No. 2 spot on Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis’ ticket.

Campaign manager Gerald F. Austin told the Boston Herald in an interview published Friday that a Dukakis-Glenn ticket would be “a great American story.”

Jackson, when asked about Austin’s comments, said: “I don’t take that seriously. . . . I do not know whether the statements were in jest or not, or even taken out of context.”

Jackson volunteered that his manager was “in good standing. . . . His position is secure.”

In April, Jackson had distanced himself from Austin’s suggestion to reporters after the Pennsylvania primary that Jackson should be considered for the vice presidential spot. Last Tuesday, however, Jackson reopened that possibility with comments he made in New Jersey.

Jackson also publicly rebuked Austin last month for suggesting to reporters that victory was beyond Jackson’s grasp.

Although Austin insisted that Jackson was his first choice as a Dukakis running mate, he was lavish in describing the appeal of a Dukakis-Glenn ticket, according to the paper: “You take Mike Dukakis, son of Greek immigrants, and John Glenn, a small-town boy who married his childhood sweetheart . . . (and) goes on to be the world’s most famous astronaut and a U.S. senator.”

Both Austin and Glenn, an unsuccessful presidential contender in 1980, have their political roots in Ohio. Austin made a reputation as a political wizard after managing several come-from-behind political victories there.