Inside Report (2)

October 24, 1980

Don't look for a significant swing of black voters to Reagan. That's the consensus in the black community a week after the Rev. Ralph Abernathy startled many blacks by endorsing Reagan. He was joined by the Rev. Hosea Williams, another civil rights figure; later, Charles Evers, mayor of Fayette, Miss., also swung behind Reagan. Community leaders say:

* Carter, despite disappointments, remains the favorite of blacks.

* Reagan could pick up some marginal black support from the endorsements.

* If Reagan wins, it could be very useful to have people like Abernathy and Williams who can fight for blacks in the new administration.