Voices For Jesse

Jesse Jackson's "rainbow coalition" once contained virtually a single color: black. But what a difference four years has made. An impressive aspect of Jackson's 1988 candidacy is his acceptance by many white voters. Last week white Jackson supporters around the country explained why they are joining in the chorus of "Win, Jesse, win!"

"I'm drawn to a candidate I believe in, someone who could possibly carry the goals and ideals I found in the '60s. His whole campaign has been a healing process for the party. He's talking about issues and people we've ignored for years: drugs and economic devastation, issues that transcend ethnic and religious problems. The other candidates are just politicians. I can't get excited about them."

-- JOAN SCERBO; LYNDHURST, N.J.

"He's got a feeling for people who have suffered, and the reason, I think, is because of his childhood and upbringing. He is able to be kind to people who show their hatred toward him. When he speaks, you don't just hear what he's saying, you feel what he's saying. I think he'd make a great President."

-- TIM WHALEN, LAWYER; BILLINGS, MONT.

"He's saying the right things about agriculture that we need in order to survive. When you listen to the other candidates, never do they even mention agriculture. It's like it doesn't exist. He's for people, working people. The big barracudas, the corporations, he'll put them in their place too."

-- LYLE QUICK, FARMER; CIRCLE, MONT.