Gary Hart’s Back in the ’88 Presidential Race

Something very different is occurring in American politics--it may take us years to recognize this but it is, indeed, happening.

The immediate reaction to Hart’s re-entry into the presidential race is entirely expected and thoroughly within the mainstream of current political commentary: He can’t possibly be sincere, he can’t win, he’s only paying off past campaign debts, this can’t possibly be the result of conviction, etc.

But in fact, Hart, through his so-called political self-destruction and his ultimate refusal to accept any verdict other than that delivered by those who are supposed to deliver the final decision, i.e. the people, may manage to render a greater challenge to what we call our “open” system than anyone could have imagined; a greater challenge, in fact, than anyone else could possibly offer. Win or lose, he alone, among a multitude of candidates, has dared to suggest that the way we choose candidates is fatally flawed.

I suspect that, many years from now, we will owe a debt to Hart, even if he becomes merely a footnote to the 1988 campaign.

SAMUEL FERRISS

Venice