Episode Details

In this episode, we explore the dramatic rise and sudden fall of Gary Hart, the Colorado Senator and "Atari Democrat" who redefined the line between political reporting and personal privacy. We trace Hart’s journey from managing George McGovern’s 1972 campaign to becoming the surprise runner-up for the 1984 Democratic nomination, where he upset Walter Mondale in New Hampshire with his call for "new ideas".

We then dive into the chaotic week in 1987 that destroyed his status as the clear front-runner for the 1988 presidency. We discuss the infamous Miami Herald stakeout of his Washington townhome, his defiant "Follow me around" challenge to the press, and the scandal involving Donna Rice and the yacht Monkey Business. You’ll hear how Hart suspended his campaign, declaring that "journalists become animals," and why many historians view this moment as the time political coverage went tabloid.

Finally, we look at Hart’s life after the scandal, including his eerie pre-9/11 warnings about terrorism as co-chair of the Hart-Rudman Commission, his secret career as thriller novelist "John Blackthorn," and his service as the U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.