Pride and Prejudice

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His demand has puzzled some election experts, provoked defiance by Southern party leaders, and struck fear in the heart of the Democratic National Committee. The experts say that dual primaries do not necessarily discriminate against blacks. A study of nearly 200 state elections in Texas, for example, did not disclose a single instance of a candidate's losing because of his race or ethnicity. Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Bert Lance says he is prepared to "go to the wall" to defend the system. Party leaders have a more immediate concern: that Jackson will angrily stalk out of the convention if his demands are not met, taking with him the Democrats' chance to win back the White House.

That fear probably is exaggerated. Jackson sloughs it off as "negative hype and speculation" by the media. Says he: "I am not going to tear up the Democratic Party." He vows to be a "healer," not a "spoiler." Last week he called on D.N.C. Chairman Charles Manatt, and to Manatt's huge relief promised that he would not bolt the party at the convention. He never intended to, he says. The idea of a walkout was "Manatt's magnificent obsession." It is in Jackson's interest to compromise, and he knows it. If he wants to be the undisputed leader of American blacks—his real goal, many believe, and one that he is on the verge of attaining—he cannot afford to be a renegade. He has to show that he can deliver black votes in November, that he can put a Democratic President in his debt.

At the same time, Jackson must show his black supporters that he has exacted a price for his allegiance. In addition to opposing second primaries, Jackson wants to change party rules that hinder minority candidates by, for instance, requiring that they win 20% of the vote in a congressional district to qualify for delegates. Jackson points out that to date he has won 17% of the popular vote, yet holds only 7% of the delegates. Responding to Jackson's claim that he was "robbed" of 220 delegates, Manatt promised to ask state chairmen to consider allocating Jackson unpledged convention delegates. Meanwhile, Jackson came up with another idea that could touch off debate: automatic voter registration at the age of 18. Such a system would demand a philosophical change in the U.S., where voting is considered a privilege, not a requirement.

Mondale—or Hart, if he should suddenly surprise—can probably work out a deal with Jackson on most of his demands. (Exception: his 20% defense cut, which neither of the major candidates could even consider and which Jackson is unlikely to press.) Last week the Jackson and Mondale camps worked in private to come up with an overall compromise that both sides could live with. It appeared possible that Jackson would agree to abolishing dual primaries only where they can be proved discriminatory, in return for changes at the local level, like reapportioning local election districts, that could put more blacks in state and city offices.