Rep. Gephardt Announces Bid for Presidency

Democratic Rep. Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri declared his presidential candidacy Monday, pledging to restore the nation to its past primacy in the world, particularly in international trade.

“We are determined to make America first again. First in economic leadership, first in national strength, first in its commitment to the vindication of human rights--and the survival of the human race,” the 46-year-old congressman told a lunch-hour crowd of several thousand at Union Station, a former railroad depot that is now an elaborate shopping plaza here in his hometown.

The red-haired, boyish-looking Gephardt is the first Democrat to announce for the 1988 nomination. He is considered a political moderate, although he claims to believe that ideology does not matter as much as finding solutions to problems.

He is chairman of the House Democratic caucus and, in his six terms in Congress, has won a reputation among his colleagues as an effective tactician. But Gephardt is little known nationally, and the success of his candidacy may depend on intensive campaigning during the next year.

In his announcement address, frequently interrupted by cheers and applause, Gephardt painted a picture of a nation in decline in such areas as trade and technology, and he put most of the blame on what he contended was the lack of leadership of the Reagan Administration.

‘Government Has Failed’

“Our people haven’t failed; our government has failed the people,” he declared, citing the huge U.S. trade deficit as “the clearest case” for his argument.

“The next President must be as tough in negotiating the terms of trade as this President has been in negotiating with the Russians,” he said.

Singling out South Korea as an an example, Gephardt said: “We are supporting a military dictatorship in South Korea that deprives its own people of basic rights--and by its predatory trade practices deprives our people of jobs. We can no longer accept a situation in which they can invade our market with Hyundais sold cheap because we are paying dearly for the tanks that defend their borders.”

‘National Partnership’

Gephardt called also for “an unprecedented national commitment” to improving the quality of American education and to modernizing American industry. “We must set a national goal that no qualified student at any level will be denied the chance to learn because of money,” he said. “We must form a new national partnership--public and private--to assure that the skills of our people keep pace with the demands of the marketplace.”

His administration would seek to make America “first not only in GNP, but in concern and compassion,” he said. In a reference to the Iran- contra scandal and the criminal charges of insider trading brought against prominent figures in the securities industry, he said: “From the White House to Wall Street, we must get rid of the dangerous idea that the proper standard of conduct is whatever someone can get away with.”

Immediately after his announcement, Gephardt flew to Des Moines, Iowa, on a campaign swing in the state where the Democratic delegate selection process begins next February.

Gephardt will not have the Democratic field to himself for long. Former Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt is scheduled to announce his candidacy next month, to be followed in April by former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart, the acknowledged front runner, and later on by black leader Jesse Jackson. Also expected to enter the race is Delaware Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis is considered to be another possibility.

Cites Leadership Ability

When asked in a preannouncement interview what quality sets him apart from other potential Democratic candidates, Gephardt cited his leadership abilities, as exemplified by his House record.

“Important to leadership is having ideas, being able to articulate those ideas and move those ideas into reality,” Gephardt said. “I have done that with tax reform, I have done that with trade, I have done that with health care. I think my record of being able to translate ideas into reality is better than anybody who is going to be in this race.”

In a more practical sense, Gephardt is counting on his House colleagues to help him raise money and organize support in their home states. Among the more prominent congressmen from whom Gephardt expects help are House Majority Leader Thomas S. Foley of Washington, House Whip Tony Coelho of Merced, Calif., House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois and House Rules Committee Chairman Claude Pepper of Florida.

Gephardt’s vigorous support of tough legislation aimed at cutting the U.S. trade deficit puts him in a good position to seek assistance from organized labor also.

Picked Up Voters’ Trash

One of Gephardt’s chief assets is his diligence. On one occasion, when then-Alderman Gephardt’s constituents complained about trash collection, Gephardt hired a truck and drove through the St. Louis district making the pickups himself.

Gephardt’s positions on some issues will stir controversy. Anti-abortion forces are likely to voice resentment about his giving up his support for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. Gephardt explains that he opposes federal funding for abortion and is concentrating on finding alternatives to abortion rather than on seeking outright prohibition.

Defends Harsh Trade Stand

Some will also object to his trade proposals, contending that they are protectionist. But Gephardt maintains that the threat of harsh steps, such as import quotas, is needed to open foreign markets to U.S. goods.

Gephardt registers in single digits in public opinion polls of possible candidates, but he attributes this to lack of name recognition, a handicap he shares with some of his rivals. Still, Gephardt is not regarded as either an electrifying orator or colorful personality, which will test his ability to develop some special message that can help him widen his support.