Jackson, Dukakis and the Democrats

After eight years of a Republican Administration, don’t the Democrats want a chance at the White House? Although Walter Mondale’s choice of Geraldine Ferraro was historical, it proved to be disastrous at the polls.

Now Jackson is making his demand for the veep position. I think Jackson should start turning his attentions to the party and stop thinking so much about himself. For a man who supposedly cares for the Democratic Party, doesn’t he realize that his place on the ticket could be the kiss of death, much like Ferraro? If Jackson truly wants the Democrats to beat Bush in November, he should throw his support to the party’s chosen candidate, Dukakis, and back whatever decisions he might make. After all, the goal is to win the election, not just make a point.

The Democrats are their own worst enemies. After the earlier primaries, the Republican also-rans (except Sen. Robert Dole who took a little longer) had enough sense to yield to the mandate and back their front-runner in a show of party unity.

So now the Democrats have spoken. They have chosen their candidate. So has Jackson thrown his support to the winner? No. Instead, while America tunes in to see a unified Republican convention that will be nothing more than a flag-waving pep rally for Bush and whoever he chooses as his running mate, those same American viewers will watch the Democratic convention only to see them still divided, still arguing about their platform, still dragging each other through the mud.

Come on fellows, there’s got to be a better world somewhere over the rainbow coalition. Let’s put our best foot forward in Atlanta.

BRUCE GOLDBERG

Los Angeles