Commentary : Hart Passes Democratic Torch

In early 1982, I made a decision to engage in national Democratic presidential politics. The party provided a variety of candidates. However, for me one choice was clear. I made a commitment to the only candidate providing new alternatives for the Democratic political agenda. Gary Hart was that candidate.

He spoke boldly about the transformation America was undergoing as it struggled to deal with its transition into a post-industrial society. He challenged his party to make fundamental changes without abandoning its traditional values. He articulated the need to change national policies to develop economic opportunity, coherent foreign policy, effective military reform and a sane approach to nuclear disarmament.

As early as 1973, during his first Senate campaign, Hart argued that Democrats could no longer solve the new problems confronting this nation with outdated “New Deal” solutions. Nine years later, his theme remained consistent and he remained a man ahead of his time.

In 1982, the presidential preference polls indicated Gary’s support was only a fraction of 1%; he rated only an asterisk. However, the reality of his limited chance of winning the presidency in 1984 was not as significant as was the crucial need for his voice to be heard and his vision shared. Ultimately he proved that his message was not out of step with the electorate. Without adequate funds or organization and with the rules stacked against him, Hart won more than half of the primaries and caucuses and almost secured his party’s nomination.

On April 13 of this year, Gary Hart renewed his commitment to campaign for the presidency. Hart had progressed in the polls from an asterisk five years earlier to the clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination and a strong favorite to win the general election. Twenty-five days later, he called an end to his campaign.

Gary Hart’s withdrawal from the 1988 presidential race creates a serious void for a vast number of involved citizens and political activists. As thousands of his supporters in Orange County struggle with feelings of frustration, grief, anger and disappointment, it becomes crucial that we understand the legacy left by the Hart campaign in this county and its relevance for the future.

When Gary Hart sought my support in early 1982, he looked upon me as an individual Democratic activist engulfed in a bastion of conservative Republicanism. Although this characterization of Orange County was greatly exaggerated, historically it was the reason that this area was largely ignored by candidates and elected officials, regardless of its vast resources and strategic importance.

Concurrent with the establishment of Hart’s Orange County campaign, a handful of local Democrats was striving to establish an infrastructure of activists and fund-raisers committed to strengthening the local party and developing competent, electable candidates. As a result, the Orange County Democratic Foundation and Associates was created.

Initially, Hart’s campaign and the development of the Foundation and Associates grew slowly. However, as the Hart campaign became a national phenomenon, so did the Orange County Democratic organizations. Through the efforts of hundreds of committed men and women, Orange County began to receive recognition for remarkable fund-raising and political results for Hart. Orange County responded to Hart’s message with more than $250,000 in campaign contributions. This money helped fund the campaign in crucial caucus and primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. Early financial support from Orange County helped Hart keep his campaign alive and competitive through the California primary.

Furthermore, the county sent a delegation of 22 Hart supporters to the 1984 Democratic convention. This delegation was larger than 34 state delegations for Hart. The campaign’s accomplishments here were exceptional. The fact that these accomplishments were achieved in Republican Orange County made them seem all the more extraordinary. Suddenly our county became the focus of statewide and national attention.

Evidencing this fact, national Democratic leaders (Ted Kennedy, Tip O’Neill, Jim Wright, Tony Coelho, Richard Gephardt, Chuck Robb, Bruce Babbitt, Chris Dodd, Paul Kirk and others) were drawn to Orange County not to seek out a few individuals but rather to meet the 600 members of the Foundation and Associates.

Hart’s candidacy validated Orange County Democrats. In essence, Gary Hart helped Orange County realize its potential as a true national force in Democratic politics. This will lead us to the development of a two-party system in this county, which can only develop better candidates, more serious issue-oriented campaigns and more effective representation for Orange County.

I spent several hours with Gary Hart after his withdrawal from the presidential race. His overriding concern was that the people participating in his campaign, especially those involved in their first presidential campaign, would lose their commitment to and enthusiasm for the political process. In his mind and heart, he felt that would be a far greater loss than the failure of his candidacy.

In this nation, and in this county, the Hart campaign has been a force for positive change. We now have a field of Democratic presidential candidates who are “new” Democrats like Gary Hart, rather than “New Deal” Democrats like Walter Mondale. The torch of party leadership has been passed on to the next generation, and it is our responsibility to keep the flame burning.