Jackson Heaps Lavish Praise on Dukakis

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, apparently seeking to squelch perceptions that he is not stumping wholeheartedly for Democratic presidential nominee Michael S. Dukakis, on Wednesday heaped his most lavish praise yet on the Massachusetts governor, describing him as “a builder and healer.”

And, in a clearly partisan attack, Jackson lashed out at Vice President George Bush, saying the Republican candidate’s opposition to civil rights legislation makes him “not morally fit to lead this nation.”

Jackson’s speech before the largely black National Urban League marked a departure from his address Monday night to an African Methodist Episcopal gathering in Charlotte, N. C. On that occasion, he did not even mention Dukakis’ name.

On Wednesday, Jackson described the choice the voters will face in November as one of “direction and priorities and supporting cast.”

Reasons to Switch

He spelled out 10 reasons his supporters should choose Dukakis over Bush. The reasons ranged from differences in overall attitude on the role of government to positions on specific issues such as statehood for the District of Columbia, which Dukakis supports and Bush does not.

“We have an obligation to keep hope alive. We have an obligation to make clear what our choices are in November,” Jackson told thousands of Urban League members. “You may agree with me or you may disagree with me, but you have an obligation to participate, to vote, to make a difference.”

Jackson’s first public appearances since the Democratic National Convention have been closely observed to see how vigorously he will work to smooth Dukakis’ relations with Jackson supporters, especially black voters.

Although blacks have been among the most loyal Democrats, many were angered over Dukakis’ treatment of Jackson. A particularly sore point was Dukakis’ rejection of Jackson as the running mate after Jackson said publicly that he had earned an offer to be on the ticket.

Jackson’s primary focus in appearances over the past few days has been on his own agenda. Much of his energy has been spent raising money for his new political action committee and generating enthusiasm for the voter-registration drive he plans to mount after Labor Day.

Late Mention of Dukakis

It was not until he was two-thirds of the way through his address to the Urban League that Jackson turned to the subject of Dukakis’ merits. Most of Jackson’s speech was centered on the accomplishments of his own campaign.

Jackson rejected reporters’ suggestions that his speeches betray a lack of enthusiasm for the Dukakis campaign. He explained that he is measuring his rhetoric for disappointed supporters who are having to “make adjustments from their original choice to a new choice.”

While he may help reconcile his supporters to their new options, Jackson added, it is the responsibility of Dukakis and his running mate, Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen , “to make that choice an inspired one.”

“I got the votes of the people who I convinced that I had their interests at heart,” Jackson said. “That’s what Dukakis and Bentsen must do.”

Later, in a speech to the Wolverine State Baptist Convention in Lansing, Jackson indirectly urged his supporters not to let their anger keep them away from the polls. Reminding the audience that the next President will put his stamp on many critical issues, Jackson said: “You’ve got mountains of reasons to occupy the voting booth on Nov. 8.”

Unofficial Status Stressed

Jackson repeatedly stressed that he is not officially a part of the Dukakis effort, and, therefore, will maintain his independence.

“I return without salary, without title and without position,” Jackson said. “I return free to serve, free to build, free to reach out, free to challenge and free to keep issues of substance before the American people.”

In an interview aboard his chartered jet, Jackson said he is satisfied that the Dukakis camp and the Democratic Party leadership are living up to the commitments they made at the convention to involve Jackson and his supporters in the fall campaign.

While he has not yet been asked to make an appearance on Dukakis’ behalf, Jackson said his campaign and Dukakis’ are continuing the “very orderly process” of “working out a relationship.”