Front Runner Commanded the Market

Starring Hugh Jackman, a major motion picture now tells the story of when politics went tabloid. In May 1987, Colorado Senator Gary Hart appeared to be a shoo-in for the Democratic party's presidential nomination. He was charismatic, handsome, and held a progressive stance that resonated with many voters, leading him to have a substantial lead over George H. W. Bush in the polls. However, Hart was also very private and uncomfortable with the focus shifting from his political ideas to his personal life.

Everything changed in the span of one chaotic week. Rumors of marital infidelity, a photograph of Hart with a model near a yacht with a suspicious name, and aggressive media coverage of Hart's home caused an unprecedented media frenzy. Matt Bai, a renowned journalist and former chief political correspondent for The New York Times Magazine, delves into the captivating tale of Hart's downfall. Bai explores how this scandal reshaped the landscape of political media and forever altered the world of politics.

The Gary Hart affair marked a pivotal moment when boundaries blurred – private matters were thrust into the public eye, news transformed into entertainment, and politics took on a tabloid nature. This scandal serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the power of the media in shaping public perceptions and the consequences of a public figure's personal indiscretions. Through Bai's insightful analysis, readers are given a fresh perspective on how the Hart debacle changed the course of political history and continues to impact the way we view politicians and their personal lives.

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