Why the Preacher Is a Grinch

By Sidney Urquhart

JESSE JACKSON may have taken himself out of the 1992 presidential race, but he's still a spoiler. As the early campaign takes shape, Jackson is clinging tenaciously to his bargaining power. He has told his political cadre to remain uncommitted and to forget about shifting support to any of the active candidates, most notably DOUG WILDER. When the Virginia Governor approaches African-American activists for help, many have said, "Jesse told us to hold off." Wilder has managed to lure a few seasoned Jackson advisers into his camp, along with some low-level organizers and contributors. But he is still too much of a long shot to snag them all. And other Democratic candidates are prowling the same ground.