Letter from Washington

The seismic shock of Gary Hart’s front-runner abdication has created a political tsunami for every other Democratic candidate, as well as official “non-candidates” like Sam Nunn, Bill Bradley, and Mario Cuomo. Political gurus here are diligently trying to estimate which of the “seven dwarfs” (Babbitt, Biden, Dukakis, Gephardt, Gore, Jackson, Simon) will get the biggest piece of Hart’s assets.

Jesse Jackson, the only candidate besides Hart who is recognized nationwide, has already leapt to the front of the surveys, garnering the lion’s share in the Iowa poll that asked, two days before Hart’s exit, which candidate would be preferred if Hart were out. However, Bruce Babbitt has begun airing TV commercials in Iowa, which should improve the former Arizona governor’s name recognition there. Richard Gephardt, who now ranks second to Jackson in Iowa (17 per cent), almost certainly will see his poll ratings climb because of his trade and agriculture legislation. Joe Biden may also move up, thanks to his adept fundraising, although there’s a growing awareness that his forceful rhetoric has its Johnny-one-note downside.

Featured Tags

Presidential Election

The seismic shock of Gary Hart’s front-runner abdication has created a political tsunami for every other Democratic candidate, as well as official “non-candidates” like Sam Nunn, Bill Bradley, and Mario Cuomo. Political gurus here are diligently trying to estimate which of the “seven dwarfs” (Babbitt, Biden, Dukakis, Gephardt, Gore, Jackson, Simon) will get the biggest piece of Hart’s assets.

Jesse Jackson, the only candidate besides Hart who is recognized nationwide, has already leapt to the front of the surveys, garnering the lion’s share in the Iowa poll that asked, two days before Hart’s exit, which candidate would be preferred if Hart were out. However, Bruce Babbitt has begun airing TV commercials in Iowa, which should improve the former Arizona governor’s name recognition there. Richard Gephardt, who now ranks second to Jackson in Iowa (17 per cent), almost certainly will see his poll ratings climb because of his trade and agriculture legislation. Joe Biden may also move up, thanks to his adept fundraising, although there’s a growing awareness that his forceful rhetoric has its Johnny-one-note downside.