“If you want permanent homeland security, just look at that report,” he said. “They’re prophets in that regard.”
Beyond the discussion itself, one of the most compelling aspects of last night’s event was the inclusion of Hart as one of the panelists.
The American public last heard from Hart in 1988, when his political career was stopped short by questions about his moral character.
Hart enjoyed a considerable lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
But his ambitions were squelched on the issue of marital fidelity.
What is often remembered of Hart’s presidential campaign is a photograph of him on a yacht, named “Monkey Business,” with a young blonde named Donna Rice sitting on his lap.
Hart eventually withdrew his bid for the presidency, after an ensuing media debacle, leaving the first George Bush a clear path to the White House.
Last night, Hart joked about his past.
“It’s better to be a has-been than a never-was,” he said.