Maynard Jackson Wins A Dem. Committee Post After Bid For Chairman

Though he was not named to chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC), former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson who had campaigned for the office, and Black Caucus members worked out a compromise with the committee to give Jackson a post as National Development Chair in Washington, D.C.

In the post, Jackson will have responsibilities in key areas, which include chairing the DNC's new Voting Rights Institute. He will lead the DNC in developing its equal opportunity program and assist state and local party organizations.

Committee members already had approved highly successful Democratic fundraiser Terry McAuliffe as the next chairman. However, Black Democratic leaders became angry because they had not been consulted on McAuliffe's selection for the prestigious political office. And Jackson decided to campaign for the post as well.

At a standing-room-only meeting of the DNC Black Caucus on the night prior to the election of the DNC chairman, McAuliffe announced that he had 80 percent of their vote.

His speech inflamed many Blacks whose overwhelming political support of the Democratic party was displayed during the recent presidential election, and provoked Rep. Maxine Waters and Texas State Rep. Al Edwards to oppose McAuliffe's program.

Rep. Waters later urged the Caucus members not to allow anyone to take them for granted and "steal the power we need for our negotiations of a leadership role for Maynard Jackson in the party."

Although opposed by a cadre of Blacks supporting McAuliffe, the DNC Caucus voted their support for the former Atlanta mayor. The following morning the DNC Caucus met with McAuliffe and agreed on a leadership role for Maynard Jackson.

McAuliffe said that Maynard Jackson's skills as an organizer and advocate will help move us forward on the single most critical issue facing all voters--ensuring that all votes are counted.