"I told him this (the lack of focus) wouldhappen if he continued to complain that the partywas not allowing him to participate," Adler says."He thought he could overcome it, but now hismessage has gotten lost."
Agran, who is Jewish, even accused DNC ChairRon Brown of being an anti Semite.
"I wrote a letter to Ron Brown a few weeks agosaying that many of my supporters suspected myexclusion from debates might have someanti-Semitic basis," Agran says.
"I have yet to get a response, which furtherfuels the suspicion," he continues. "Ron Brown, aschair of the party, is totally insensitive to thisparticular point. He has opened himself to ananti-Jewish bias--something that ought to beaddressed."
But Desler responds that Brown had "absolutelyno idea that Agran was Jewish" before receivingAgran's letter. "It was an outrageous accusationbuilt upon Agran's frustration," Desler says.
The former mayor has repeatedly cast offsuggestions that he first run for legislativeoffice--to gain more recognition and financialbacking--before setting his sights on thepresidency.
Even Adler questions Agran's run for thepresidency.
"I told Larry he was making a terriblemistake, and most of the people in the party toldhim the same thing," he says.
But Agran argues that serving as a legislatorwould be unnecessary and a waste of crucial timeneeded for improving the nation as a whole.
"I don't have any special respect for those whosit in Congress year after year rubber-stampingthe Cold War," Agran says. "In the past 12 yearswe have limited the pool of candidates togovernors an and sentators, and we have had themost awful, rotten years of presidency. Mycampaign is about changing that system."
And Adler says the former mayor will listen toneither friends nor critics who tell him hispolitical moves are unwise.
"When he believes in something strongly, hewill go against the advice of everyone," Adlersays. "If he believes in his message, he won'tworry about the consequences. That's why he losteverything in Irvine with the sexual orientationissue, and that's why he is having problems now."
"Larry is one of the brightest, most honest,most committed people I've met in my life, "Adlersays. "But common sense would tell you that acongressman has more credibility than any mayorwho lost his last election."
REALIZING THAT HIS chances of winningthe Democratic nomination grow less likely eachday, Agran says he will focus on confronting the"weak field of candidates" with his issues.
Gian G. Neffinger '93, who chairs Harvard'sAssociated Students for Agran for President, saysAgran's waves have already started affecting theother candidates. Neffinger says that when TomHarkin unveiled his "New National Security" planat Harvard unveiled his "New National Security"extended beyond the name.
Harkin's plan, like Agran's, suggests areduction in military spending-but with a slowerwithdrawal of troops overseas.
"It seems to me that other candidates likeHarkin been saying," Neffinger said.
And even if Agran's only mark on the campaignis his influence on others' ideas, he feels hisefforts will have been worth their while.
"If nothing else, I will have had an impact onaccelerating the consideration of totally newnational priorities," Agran says. "If I don't dothat, we're going to see a destructive future forAmerica's cities and towns."