Jesse Jackson expected to say he won't run

By Jennifer Loven, Associated Press, March 24, 1999

WASHINGTON -- Jesse L. Jackson, who campaigned twice for president, apparently will not run a third time, sources said. He is expected to announce his decision today.

Jackson's wife, Jacqueline, has told friends her husband will not run, the sources said.

Jackson himself said on Black Entertainment Television's "Lead Story" over the weekend that he was "not very motivated to at this point" challenge Vice President Al Gore for the Democratic nomination.

"While I have not decided altogether to say yes or no, I'm inclined not to," the 57-year-old Jackson said on the program Sunday.

Jackson cited his campaign to pressure Wall Street into providing more start-up capital to minorities as one way he might be able to do more good outside a race for office.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Chicago, Jackson said: "You can rest assured that tomorrow we will share with you what we intend to do and how. . . . We intend to impact public policy in a major way in 1999 and 2000."

Advisers said if he were to run it would be with the goal of winning the nomination, and not merely to ensure discussion of issues he cares about. He is said to be concerned that the newly condensed primary season, which requires candidates to raise greater amounts of money sooner, could inhibit his ability to compete.

In addition, Jackson has not begun building the organization he needs to mount a serious presidential run, nor has he begun raising money, people close to him said.

Jackson will disclose his intentions at 11 a.m. today on the campaign Web site of his son, Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., an Illinois Democrat, at www.jessejacksonjr.

org.

The younger Jackson has strongly advocated that his father join the race.

Jackson's first White House bid, in 1984, was followed by a second populist race in 1988.