US senator from Colorado from 1975 to 1987. Sought the Democratic nomination for President in 1984 and 1988. He was considered a front runner, and perhaps the most likely candidate in 1988 until a sex scandal brought him down. To many, however, it was not the fact that he cheated on his wife that tarnished him but how he dealt with it publicly. Soon after his campaign began, rumors of his infidelity began spreading, and he responded by challenging the press to follow him around, which rather promptly resulted in photographs of him cavorting on a boat aptly named “Monkey Business” with his mistress. Many reasoned that if he couldn’t manage discretion in this instance than his judgment must be suspect elsewhere.
He never ran for office again, but did continue in political life, gaining something of an elder statesman status, and building a reputation as a foreign policy maven
This article and autograph predates all of that. He was at this time best known for having been George McGovern’s campaign manager in 1072.
“For Ed Garbowski Gary Hart”
He also wrote note on my father’s request letter. “Dear Mr. Garbowski — My pleasure — Gary Hart”
Received 3/11/1974
