OMITTING THE CANDIDATE

Pittsburgh's Benjamin Woods, 34, works as business agent of Local 12, Sheet Metal Workers, but now he labors several hours a day for Jackson. "I get tired," he says, "of seeing the same guys getting elected to the same jobs all the time. All they do is go down there and wheel and deal." He met Jackson last June, liked him and circulated petitions in February to get on the ballot as a pledged candidate. "I agree with Jackson about nationalizing welfare. He has a fine labor record. And he's against busing. So am I."

Jackson's emphasis on reducing unemployment goes down well in Woods' local--30% of the 1,700 members are jobless--and throughout the heavily Catholic, working-class 42nd State Senate District where Woods grew up (he played violin in the high school orchestra before becoming a sheet-metal apprentice). But Jackson is less popular than the things he stands for, and Woods realizes it.

In taverns, bingo parlors and shopping centers, he greets voters: "Hi, I'm Ben Woods. Running for delegate to the Democratic Convention. Appreciate your support on April 27." He does not even mention Jackson's name unless asked. The palm card he hands out carries his own handsome picture but not Jackson's--the Senator's name appears only in fine print. At a V.F.W. post, an acquaintance tells Woods, "I'll vote for you because I know you, but I'm for Humphrey." Woods has a ready response: "The way to stop Carter is to vote for Jackson."

Crisscrossing the district of mills and aging, tiny houses in his new white Catalina, Woods has learned that Carter is no more popular there than Jackson, and Udall is virtually unknown. Twenty-one people are contending for the 42nd's three delegate posts, but Woods has many friends. Bartenders, shopkeepers and others take his literature for display and distribution.

In the town of McKees Rocks on Pittsburgh's northern boundary, Woods listens sympathetically as Nellie King, a women's club leader, disparages all the candidates. She ends up saying she may be for Jackson, and she agrees to give out Woods' handbills. At a Giant Eagle supermarket, a woman who seems uninterested in the presidential election tells Woods he looks like a tall Kirk Douglas. Benjamin Woods (6 ft. 3 in.) also looks like a winner in the 42nd, and if Jackson ultimately is a loser, Woods will be with Humphrey in July.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.