Jackson has proposed to convene a Camp-Davidlike summit of congressional and gubernatorialleaders to solve the deficit problem and said aU.S. pull-out from the Persian Gulf will alsoreduce the debt.

Though Jackson does not support raising taxes,he has said he could not rule out the possibility.But he said if taxation were necessary, he wouldfight for a fairer system for the middle class,lower class and the poor.

With his broader message, Jackson is hoping toattract a diverse group of voters, includingunemployed steel workers, family farmers, welfaremothers, and students, said an aide in the Iowaheadquarters.

The campaign has boasted to have registeredmore than two million Democrats and said it hasthe support of the disenfranchised population, butsome voters may still not be lured by Jackson'snew image.

Mistakes he made in his past campaign,including a reference to New York City as"hymietown"--considered to be an antisemiticepithet--may haunt him in this election.

His campaign aides said Jackson has publiclyapologized on numerous occasions for his"off-the-cuff" remarks and they hope that suchmemories will not resurface.

Another point of possible weakness is Jackson'slack of experience in elective political office.But the candidate has downplayed the issue, andsaid at Harvard earlier this month, "I bring thecapacity to shape concensus and articulate policy.A leader must project the vision for the nationand have the power to act in times of crisis.