Jackson to push voter registration, efforts to help poor

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005 | 8:15 a.m.

Las Vegas Sun

The Rev. Jesse Jackson views Nevada as a swing state and hopes to influence electoral politics here with his Rainbow/Push Coalition.

The longtime civil rights activist and former presidential candidate spent Tuesday in Las Vegas drumming up support for planned local efforts and raising money for students at historically black New Orleans-area colleges who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

"As the state grows, our organization's interest grows," Jackson said of Nevada in a meeting with the editorial board of the Sun. Jackson met with local ministers Tuesday morning and said he planned to work with local labor leaders to fight for minorities and the poor.

Jackson said his group's efforts in Nevada would focus on voter registration in attempting to sway upcoming congressional, gubernatorial and presidential elections.

Working people of all colors must come together toward their common interest of living wages and affordable housing, issues that affect Las Vegas, Jackson said.

Jackson railed against the policies of the Bush administration, whose negative effects he said were exposed by the lack of response to the hurricane. He said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has proved an effective opponent to the Republicans in power.

"His calm demeanor has been an asset to the national leadership," Jackson said of Reid.

But he also said the Democratic Party must take strong stands to distinguish itself.

"Democrats can't just be Republicans Lite," Jackson said. "They must in fact be an alternative."

On Tuesday night, Jackson was scheduled to host a fund-raiser reception and performance featuring local comedian George Wallace for the 10,000 displaced students.