Making Peace

Lieberman reaches out to Jesse Jackson

by Seth Gitell

What was Al Gore's running mate, Senator Joseph Lieberman, doing talking about Jesse Jackson during his acceptance speech Tuesday?

"I had some just memorable conversations yesterday, and one of the most memorable was with the Reverend Jesse Jackson," Lieberman said. "He said something to me that went to my heart, and I hope it will to yours as well. He said to me, `You know, Joe, each time a barrier falls for one person, the doors of opportunity open wider for every other American.' "

Lieberman's comments were an obvious attempt to pre-empt a Black-Jewish crisis within the Democratic Party. Even before Gore made his choice, the campaign team was aware that picking Lieberman, an Orthodox, pro-Israel Jew, might spark trouble within elements of the African-American community. Campaign officials privately discussed Lieberman's mixed record on affirmative action and his stance to the right of his party. Though things have quieted down recently, Black-Jewish rows have been a staple of intra-Democratic squabbling since the Ocean Hill-Brownsville public-school dispute in New York. Remember "Hymietown," Jackson's controversial remark about New York City during the 1984 presidential campaign? Then there's the Reverend Al Sharpton, of course.

But the overtures to Jackson succeeded. By Monday, he was reaching out to other African-American religious leaders to tell them about Lieberman's positives. Jackson said that Lieberman will be helped by emphasizing his solid record and strong faith. By Tuesday night, Jackson was on Fox News singing the praises of the VP candidate.

To further alleviate any tensions, campaign officials are also prepared to stress Lieberman's voter-registration work in Mississippi in the 1960s. That includes circulating a letter Lieberman wrote to the Yale Daily News about why he was going to Mississippi -- a letter that also came up during Lieberman's announcement Tuesday.