The next major test for Hart is so-called Super Tuesday on March 13, when 10 states--including Massachusetts and Florida--hold primaries or caucuses. Mondale and Glenn hold full delegate slates in all those states, while Hart has only partial slates in Florida and in later important states Illinios, Pennsylvania and New York.

Before Super Tuesday, Maine and Wisconsin will hold caucuses and Vermont holds a primary preference poll Tuesday.

Susan Casey, deputy state co-ordinator for Hart, said at Hart headquarters. "As far as the delegate slates are concerned, it doesn't matter It's no problem."

Charles B. Finch. Hart's New York field co-ordinator, promised that the Coloradan will be able to compete for 90 percent of the delegates" in the Super Tuesday states.

But he added that Illinois where an important primary will be held March 20, "might be a problem."

They're always a little cantankerous," he said.

Hart, whose politics are considered slightly more conservative than Mondale's traditional liberalism, has not been seriously scrutinized by the media and the other candidates.

No Lumps

Orren said Hart has "not received his lumps yet," adding that the Coloradan's late support for a nuclear freeze may be brought up by critics.

Steven D. Stark a lecturer at the K-School and a former campaign issues adviser to Jimmy Carter, said Hart, like Carter, will have to handle correctly his new found recognition.

"As with any new fact that curries on the scene very quickly, there's the problem of not turning out the way they wanted him in," Stark said.

Stark added that Hurt is succesful because "he us not running a traditional liberal-conservative race."

"He has transcended ideological boundaries," Stark said.

George Brune, New Hampshire's State Democratic Party chairman, said at Mondale headquarters in Manchester that Hart profited from the "one-on-one" nature of New Hampshire campaigning.

"Hart beat Mondale because Hart poured himself into New Hampshire," Bruno said. "After New Hampshire, the race is a media event."