The Democrats: It's Tsongas -- With a T

Why is an obscure ex-Senator from Massachusetts risking ridicule by running for President? Because he thinks he's an economic Paul Revere.

Paul Tsongas has a sad, hurt look. On the podium he is a limp performer who often slurs and swallows his words. Afterward he has to brace himself for insinuating questions about another Greek politician from Massachusetts, the tattered Michael Dukakis. On top of all that, Tsongas must assure voters he has really licked the cancer that led him to retire from the U.S. Senate seven years ago. Why on earth is this man running for President?

All his political life, Tsongas, now 50, has taken people by surprise. He is an odd politician. On the surface he is almost mushy....

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