Dropping Out Early.

In early 1987 Gary Hart, runner-up to Walter Mondale in 1984, led in preference polls of Democratic voters, but he dropped out of the race on 8 May 1987, after press reports about his affair with model Donna Rice. Hart, who was married, announced on 15 December that he would reenter the nomination contest, but he was never able to garner much support in the 1988 primaries and caucuses. Many Democrats also liked Gov. Mario Cuomo, who had delivered an inspiring keynote address at their 1984 national convention, but in February 1987 Cuomo announced that he would not run, clearing the way for Michael Dukakis. Dukakis ran on his record as governor of Massachusetts, pointing to the improved economy and balanced budget of his state as proof of his managerial abilities. He began to pick up support from northeastern Democrats who might otherwise have backed Cuomo...