Debate Opens as Delegates Await Jackson’s Big Night : Convention Expected to OK Planks

Michael S. Dukakis, in a spirit of unity, yields center stage tonight to the Rev. Jesse Jackson for a speech certain to ignite a thunderous rally at the Democratic National Convention. He’ll deliver “an upbeat speech,” Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, Dukakis’ running mate, predicted today.

Democratic leaders including Bentsen, the man who got the No. 2 spot Jackson sought, were all emphasizing harmony today.

Before Jackson went on, delegates began debating three platform planks that Jackson wants, but agreement to disagree without anger apparently had been worked out.

“I think it’s going to be a good debate, but I don’t think it’s going to be divisive and I don’t think it will be rancorous,” Rep. William H. Gray III of Pennsylvania, a Jackson supporter closely involved with platform deliberations, said.

To allow more time for debate, plans were made to move today’s convention starting time up from 1:30 p.m. to noon PDT. But that move was scrapped because of party rules, and debate began about 1:15 p.m. PDT as originally planned.

Bentsen, in an interview on CBS-TV, showed no concern about platform differences being aired on television today. “If they bring these issues to the floor, well that’s the way conventions are supposed to go,” the Texas senator said.

Action on Short Platform

The delegates headed toward adoption of their shortest platform in half a century after voting on Jackson’s planks calling for higher taxes and no first use of nuclear weapons.

The two campaigns also left room for the convention to stage a 20-minute debate--but no vote--on a minority plank calling for “self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians.”

The Dukakis delegates were expected to defeat handily in roll call votes the Jackson minority planks seeking higher taxes on the rich and corporations and a U.S. policy against first use of nuclear weapons.

With his rival wielding overwhelming power, Jackson struck a gentleman’s agreement on platform disputes, agreeing to withdraw 10 of 13 minority planks he championed. His biggest concession was dropping a demand for a five-year freeze on Pentagon spending.

Jackson, whose political sermons have electrified two presidential campaigns, will call for “bold leadership” for the nation in the speech tonight that will cap his remarkable 1988 presidential effort.

The civil rights leader spent the day closeted with advisers in his hotel suite, working on the speech.

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“We’re still trying to put it together,” Jackson said after his only appearance of the day, a civil rights breakfast hosted by House Speaker Jim Wright of Texas.

Asked on NBC-TV if he expected Jackson’s address to have a theme of unity, Bentsen said, “I certainly expect it will be an upbeat speech.”

Jackson, the runner-up reluctant to quit, was given 28 minutes--starting at 7:21 p.m. PDT--to address the 5,372 delegates and alternates, following a video tribute to his campaign and his cause.

“The tone has to do with bold leadership,” Jackson said, previewing his remarks. “That’s what we need: New direction, sound ideas and America must never surrender to be bigger and be better.”

Unlike 1984, Jackson’s 1988 campaign was free of the blunders of his first presidential bid. Like 1984, his stump speeches provided the high moments of a presidential season marked by uninspired rhetoric.

This year, Jackson’s speech comes at the end of the day’s debates on the party platform he worked so hard to influence. And aides expected the issues from the platform--drugs, foreign policy and budget priorities--to stand out in his talk.