"As a longtime Democratic National Convention staffer, I have two ineradicable memories of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who died yesterday at the age of 84. The first was a famous moment at the 1988 convention, when, after a hard-fought primary season, he endorsed nominee Michael Dukakis in what everyone instantly recognized as the best speech of the entire campaign cycle."
"First and most obvious, Jackson proved a Black politician could run a viable presidential campaign. In 1984, he was the first significant Black presidential candidate since Shirley Chisholm in 1972 and much more successful as a vote getter. In 1988, his campaign rose to another level, winning over 6 million votes, 13 primaries or caucuses, and over a thousand delegates, making him the clear runner-up to the nominee."
Reverend Jesse Jackson combined powerful oratory with pioneering electoral success, proving a Black politician could run viable national presidential campaigns. He delivered a famed 1988 convention endorsement of Michael Dukakis and maintained commanding presence in both large arenas and private rehearsals, supporting his wife Jacqueline. Jackson consistently challenged complacency within the Democratic Party and American politics and criticized centrist groups such as the Democratic Leadership Council. His 1984 campaign marked the strongest Black candidacy since 1972, and his 1988 run captured over six million votes, multiple contests, and more than a thousand delegates, leaving a lasting imprint on Democratic activism and national conversation.
Read at Intelligencer
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