The LA Times has a special report on Gary Hart's possible re-emergence as a presidential candidate in 2004. Hart Tries to Get Off 'Sidelines' begins with:

"The former Democratic senator from Colorado has emerged from political exile to become the Cassandra of terrorism, issuing bleak predictions about the next attack on American soil."

Hart served on a terror task force in 2001 that issued a report that warned of "even greater casualties and widespread disruption to American lives and the economy." The Times, none too kindly, says "But the report didn't generate enough urgency to suit Hart, so he has been crusading to keep it alive -- appearing on talk shows, giving speeches and writing newspaper editorials."

Hart won't say whether he intends to run. "It's not about politics," he says. "It's about public service. I've tried to find a way to help my country. And I'll continue to do that."

Where has he been the past 15 years since his last run for the democratic presidential nomination?

"Hart says he has tried not to disappear. He has written six books. He has earned a doctorate from Oxford University. He has offered advice to politicians willing to listen. "I gave Bill Clinton all kinds of ideas," he says, "including to intervene in Ireland, which he took and ran with."

He has been practicing international law with a prominent firm in Downtown Denver (we can vouch for this as our office is in the same building and we see him in the lobby and elevator from time to time.)

What does he say about fighting the terror war?

"Aside from governmental vigilance, Hart stresses the need for an alert citizenry. "The tag line of every speech I've given over the last two years on this subject is: 'You in this audience are now front-line soldiers.'

"This war's being fought in our streets and cities. Nobody's going to ride in. The 82d Airborne isn't coming. The 1st Marine Division isn't going to be here. It'll be the Colorado National Guard. The cops on the beat. The fire and emergency management people. We're all going to have to get into this. Now, why can't the president say that?"

About Bush and Iraq:

"He decries Bush's readiness to invade Iraq, saying the nation isn't ready: "It's imprudent and it's folly. The threats to this country are going to skyrocket the minute the first U.S. soldier crosses the Iraqi border."

On the viability of his return to politics:

"When the Denver Post reported last month that Hart was speaking with friends about another run for president, Hart says he was deluged with support. "I've gotten a lot of e-mails," he says, a gleam in his eye. "Not one of them negative."

"But, even some of Hart's greatest admirers see his political resurrection as a remote possibility. Though he has gained new credibility in the war on terrorism, friends say, he would still have trouble shaking questions about character, especially after the scandals that dogged Clinton."

Ok, so we're a little torn here. Gary Hart sounds good on terrorism to us. He has always been quite liberal on domestic issues and has a true zeal for public service. He's an outgrowth of the Eugene McCarthy/ George McGovern days of the Democratic party-- which really were the last days that the party shined.

Gary Hart is more than smart. He's not a centrist. He knows politics inside and out. But the questions remain: Has he been out of the game too long? Will he ever live down the arrogant taunt he made to the media during his escapade with (now anti-porno queen) Donna Rice? Will he seem too Clintonesque?

We're not writing him off. But we're not jumping on his bandwagon yet either. Your thoughts?