The Free View-- weblog of a presidential candidate

Gary Hart launches a blog

Former Senator and twice-presidential candidate Gary Hart has launched a blog.

I posted a comment to his opening post, which I'll share with you below. I've fixed a couple typos since.

Senator Hart,

I applaud your effort to engage with people via your blog, and I am excited to read many of your refreshing ideas here on your website. I'm even more excited to hear that you're considering a run for president.

In at least one way, you and I are peers, in that we're both presidential candidates with blogs. I'm running for the 2008 race, and I started blogging last year. (Check it out here: http://freedom2008.com )

My question ties into what a few people have alluded to here: how can someone as cool and principled as you clearly are hope to achieve positive change through the Democratic Party? I submit that the substantial reforms needed in this country can not be accomplished through the Bipartisan political machine. There is simply too much pressure for constant compromise.

Please consider running as an Independent instead of a Democrat. Even having to go through the meat grinder of a 9-candidate primary process will be harmful toward your effectiveness as a real reformer. Bill Clinton is a perfect case in point. His real vision was diluted week by week, and by the time he became President he gained the nickname "the waffler".

Rise above that fray. Of course, it will impact your fundraising capabilities, but that's almost part of the point, too. The media will follow your campaign whether you're a Democrat, a Green, a Libertarian, or and Independent. If you were any of the last three, you'd get yourself elected -- for the right reasons. If you go the first route -- the road more traveled, if you will -- I fear you'll end up like a Bill Clinton or an Al Gore...campaigning (and then leading) in a box. Instead of what our country really needs -- a true, unbridled visionary.

I wish you the very best in your campaign, but I won't be able to vote for you if you run as a Democrat. I vowed in 1994 to never vote for a Democrat or Republican again, and I haven't seen anything since to make me believe I chose unwisely.

I don't mean to cast any aspersions on you at all, Senator Hart. I practically idolized you back when I was a teenager -- I was convinced you were the "next John F. Kennedy". I'm willing to believe that you may still be that -- but I don't think even JFK could make it through the current Bipartisan rise-to-power machine with his ideals intact. And I don't think my cynicism regarding those two parties is unusual at all. over 50% of eligible voters are *not* registered Democrat or Republican.

Best of luck in your campaign, and I look forward to reading more of what you have to say.