Jesse Jackson's 1984 Presidential Campaign Anno

Announcing his bid to become the Democratic National candidate in the presidential election of 1984, the Rev. Jesse Jackson entered the limelight of American politics. His attempt to become the first black president was not only a historic move but a symbolic one as well. America never had to contend with a black candidate before; many people wondered if this country was ready for one. The Jackson candidacy turned out to be much more than just a race for the White House. With his motivating style, his political success abroad, and his effect on black political activism, Jackson caught the attention of Americans everywhere--Americans of all races and backgrounds. Although he made a few mistakes and earned much criticism, Jackson, with his charisma and character, opened the eyes of black and white voters alike and changed politics in this country.

At first glance, it was not only Jackson's color which attracted attention on the political scene but also his style of addressing the masses, whether at a convention, a political rally or on TV. With an oratorical flourish that proved its flexibility, Jackson inspired blacks while demonstrating to whites that he was more than just a black-movement fanatic. In his first television debate with Walter Mondale and Gary Hart, critics were quick to say that he came across as statesmanlike and articulate, insuring to Americans everywhere that he was trying to make a serious and measured step toward the White House. Others said

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Jackson held to his conviction that "if you run, you may have a chance to win, but if you don't run, you're guaranteed to lose." The theme of the Jackson campaign was an interesting and appealing one. Jackson called it the Rainbow Coalition. One expert saw the campaign as an extension of the civil rights movement. Although the Rainbow Coalition brought in a new political electorate (i.e., the minorities) and earned much praise in theory, it failed to accomplish its fundamental task: to elect a president who would pay more attention to the minorities and the poor. In rallies, Jackson forcefully shouted that "we are here that we might . . . elevate the lot of common humanity and build a functional new rainbow coalition spanning lines of color, sex, age, religion, race, and national origin." In Arizona, to a large gathering of American Indians and Hispanics, he condemned the government for treating whole nations like "enslaved people, made dependent, robbed again and again of the resources that would allow them to survive and prosper and make contribution." Jackson's concern for the minorities won him the support of the 1960's Yippie leader Abbie Hoffman. "As a civil-rights leader, he is bringing disenfranchised pe

Category: Government - J