Hart Debates Differences in Public, Private Morality

Sharing the stage for the first time with his six rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, Gary Hart on Friday admitted he was guilty of sins in “private morality” but asked instead to be examined on his record of “public morality.”

In a two-hour debate sponsored by the Des Moines Register, Hart took the first opportunity to turn the “character question” to issues of ethics in government, compassion for the needy and responsible administration.

Register Editor James P. Gannon reminded Hart that he told the newspaper in a recent interview he would not be “the first adulterer in the White House.” Asked whether Americans “should ignore questions of character, judgment and trust,” Hart said: “There is a difference between private morality and public morality.

“I’ve held myself to very high standards in terms of both. . . . I’ve made mistakes. I probably should have said in that interview, ‘I’m a sinner.’ My religion tells me that all of us are sinners.”

Rather than run from the morality issue, Hart went out of his way to bring it up on his terms. He asked voters to examine “the morality of an Adminstration which is really bankrupt in terms of its commitment to public ethics.”

“As a public official, I would never lie to the Congress or the American people on their business,” he said. “I would never shred documents. I would never sell arms to terrorists. And I would never condone anyone in my administration who breached the highest standard of the sacred trust of the public duty.”

The debate, televised live in Iowa and carried by public broadcasting stations throughout the country, was considered crucial for the candidates in the final stretch of their campaigns for Iowa’s Feb. 8 caucuses, the first major test of candidate strength in the nation.

Campaign organizers here placed enormous emphasis on the outcome of the debate. Telephone banks have shown that up to 70% of Iowa’s caucus-goers are undecided or express only soft support for a candidate. Convinced that the debate could produce wide shifts in support, organizers urged field workers this week to postpone most precinct calls until the weekend.

Doesn’t Steal Show

While Hart was the principal focus of attention, the other candidates did not permit him to steal the show. He was applauded upon his introduction, but his repeated references to morality in government did not appear to stir the crowd of 2,700 gathered for the debate in the Des Moines Civic Center.

During a segment that allowed the candidates to question each other, none of Hart’s rivals alluded to the sex scandal that forced him to withdraw from the race in May. Only former Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt dwelt on the importance of character, and he framed it in terms of honesty on how the candidates would balance the federal budget.

While Hart tackled questions about his personal mistakes, the others sought to stress their records and their campaign messages.

Simon’s Traditional Programs

Illinois Sen. Paul Simon, the nominal leader in polls here until Hart’s re-entry, emphasized his support of traditional Democratic programs. He characterized criticism of his proposal to balance the federal budget and at the same time expand social programs as “politics.”

“I’m proud to have offered a specific commitment and plan to deal with the deficit and also to invest in our people,” he said. “There have been distortions of what I’ve said. I understand that. . . . What I will fight vigorously is distortions of the values and principles and traditions of our party.”

Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis sought to soften his message of managerial competence by stressing themes of compassion. He told about meeting with welfare mothers, his concerns for the elderly who can not pay their bills and the needs of the homeless.

Dukakis frequently turned to humor to lighten his message. When asked about relations with Europe, Dukakis, son of Greek immigrants, said: “Well I certainly could negotiate with Greece successfully.”

Babbitt Discusses ‘Honesty’

If “morality” was Hart’s favorite word for the evening, Babbitt’s was “honesty.” He asked Iowans to ignore polls that show he is a long shot and vote for him because he has been honest about how to deal with the budget deficit. Babbitt has proposed a national sales tax and taxes on Social Security payments and other entitlement programs benefiting the rich.

“The real question on Feb. 8 is who should be President,” he said.

Missouri Rep. Richard A. Gephardt sounded the themes of his Iowa stump speeches: help for the family farmer, toughness with countries that restrict imports of American products and programs for the elderly. He repeatedly bashed “the Establishment.”

Who, he asked, would speak for family farmers, workers and the elderly? “Not the political Establishment that’s just waiting for the election to be over,” he said.

‘Jackson Can Win’

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson challenged the widely held belief that he can not be elected President. “Yes, Jesse Jackson can win. America can win. . . . Let’s let America be for all the American people.”

Jackson, in response to a question about abortion, drew the most enthusiastic applause of the evening. Declaring that women have a constitutional right to an abortion, but at the same time urging restraint before marriage and better sex education, he attacked abortion opponents, saying:

“I’m just as concerned about those who are absolutely obsessed with the fetus from conception through nine months and then have no commitment to the baby from birth to death.”

Tennessee Sen. Albert Gore Jr., who was teased by his rivals on stage and by moderator Gannon about his rare appearance in Iowa, tried to portray himself as a national candidate who could beat the Republicans. Gore has virtually ignored Iowa, where his chances of victory were slim, to concentrate on getting a good showing in the March 8 Southern primaries.

Gore Looks Down Road

While the other candidates asked Iowans to stand up for them in the caucuses, Gore said: “I ask for your help in carrying Iowa in the general election.”

Hart, who has virtually no organization to get his supporters to caucuses, appealed to Iowans to go on their own. “I don’t think you have to be dragged to democracy,” he said.

Staff writer John Balzar contributed to this report.