Former senator, presidential candidate Gary Hart welcomes Mass. Dems

DENVER -- Gary Hart, the former U.S. senator and two-time presidential contender, welcomed the Massachusetts Democratic delegation to his home state at the Bay State's delegation breakfast Monday morning.

Hart said he was the "official greeter" on behalf of his home state and quickly emphasized the importance of this year's election.

"Most think about politics and moving from one party to the other, one president to another," he said. "But this election is different because this country faces real crisises and real possibilities."

Hart quickly laid out an agenda for presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama (Ill) when he takes office.

First, the senator "has to reassert American leadership in the new economy of the 21st century," he said. To do that, according to Hart, the U.S. must train people for jobs and "move this country to a post carbon economy."

Hart, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1987, also talked about the U.S. returning to a higher global standing.

"We also have to regain moral authority in the world in terms of our foreign policy," he said.

To do that, Hart said, Obama must shift foreign policy from one of intervention to respecting other countries and creating good friendships.

But in particular, Hart challenged Democrats to take on what he called the GOP's "Rove secret," referring to Republican strategist Karl Rove. Republicans have learned in the past couple elections, he said, that "if you frighten people enough, they'll put their economic interests aside in hopes for greater security."

"We much convince our friends and neighbors all across the country that the Democratic Party is prepared to make this country secure," he said.