Gary Hart

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."

Fox News is reporting that U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Hyannis Port) is making the trip to Denver for the first day of the Democratic National Committee Convention.

Kennedy is said to be arriving Sunday night, and will attend a delegate breakfast Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, where the Massachusetts delegation is staying. Former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart (D-Col.) is set to keynote.

He will then appear at the Pepsi Center where a film in tribute to his career is to be screened.

Mikulski was influential in this barrier-breaking VP pickWhile it is a faint memory now, there was speculation up until the early summer of 1984 that then-Rep. Barbara Mikulski would make a good running mate for the Democratic presidential nominee.

She was one of three women House members considered for the job, the others being Pat Schroeder of Colorado and the female frontrunner, Geraldine Ferraro of New York. Outside Congress, two minor office-holders who would go on to national prominence -- San Francisco Mayor Diane Feinstein and Texas State Treasurer Ann Richards -- were also considered.

Fifth Congressional District Democratic candidate Hal Bidlack is rolling out some big names for a fundraiser Friday evening in Denver.

U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), former presidential candidate and retired Gen. Wesley Clark, former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.), Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver), former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.), and the entire Colorado Democratic Congressional delegation are on the host committee for the Bidlack fundraiser, scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Patton Boggs Law Firm in Denver.

Colorado has five living former United States Senators: Bill Armstrong, 71, who served from 1979 to 1991; Hank Brown, 68, who served from 1991 to 1997; Ben Nighthorse Campbell, 75, who served from 1993 to 2001; Gary Hart, 71, a Senator from 1975 to 1987; and Tim Wirth, 68, who served from 1987 to 1993. 

MANCHESTER-Former New Hampshire Republican U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman was honored Tuesday night at an event sponsored by the group Americans for Campaign Reform.

Rudman was honored for his support of various campaign reform legislation and service to New Hampshire.

Before the event, guests were treated to a reception that included pictures of Rudman with various friends. One picture included Rudman, former New Hampshire Attorney General Tom Rath and current Supreme Court Justice David Souter.

Who were the newly elected Senators of 1986? And How many of Barbara Mikulski's freshman colleagues are still there today?