Boston Mayor Urges Black VP ‘Even If It Means We Lose’

BOSTON — Mayor Raymond Flynn, who has endorsed Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis for President, is urging Democratic Party members to put Jesse Jackson or another black on the ticket as vice president.

Flynn told the Boston Globe the party should nominate a black candidate for the vice presidential slot at its national convention in July in Atlanta “even if that means that we lose the election.”

“I’d rather see the Democrats lose than win without a black on the ticket,” Flynn said.

Democrats owe blacks for years of loyal voting for the party, the Boston mayor said, adding, “They have put their time and hard work into the party and have gotten very little in return.”

Jackson has named Flynn as a possible running mate.