The disintegration of Gary Hart's candidacy left a void where the structure of the nomination contest should be. Though Hart had been a weak leader of the pack -- short of deeply committed supporters and ready campaign cash -- his place at the top dictated the shape of the race. Each of the seven other Democrats had to strive to become Hart's chief rival in the winter carnival of early caucuses and primaries.
Now the battlefield will be a mass of political Silly Putty. Of the seven, only Jesse Jackson has an established national reputation -- yet he has virtually no...
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