Washington Wrap

Dotty Lynch, Douglas Kiker, Steve Chaggaris and Clothilde Ewing of The CBS News Political Unit have the latest from the nation's capital.

The newspaper said that Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chairman Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J. has had "several" conversations with Hart, according to committee officials.

"I have heard from people all over the state of Colorado that they would love someone of Gary Hart's stature to take a look at the Senate race," Colorado Democratic Party chairman Chris Gates said.

Hart's office wouldn't say, however, if he's at all interested in taking back the seat he held from 1975-87 and has been Campbell's since 1993. "He won't be commenting on that," his assistant told the Post.

Campbell aide Cinamon Watson took a jab at Hart saying, "It's as simple as this … It's all monkey business," referring to the sex scandal that pretty much ended Hart's second run for the presidency in 1988. In 1987, he was photographed hanging out with model Donna Rice on a boat named Monkey Business shortly after he challenged the press, when asked about rumors of his infidelity, to follow him around.

In recent years, Hart has worked as a lawyer and as the co-chair of a commission that predicted a major terrorist attack on the U.S. prior to 9/11.

"He is a renowned figure when it comes to issues of national security, intelligence and homeland defense," said DSCC spokesman Mike Siegel. "By any person's definition, he's a complete statesman."

Democrats are desperate to find someone viable to challenge Campbell who easily won a second term in 1998, three years after switching to the Republican Party. Attorney General Ken Salazar and Rep. Mark Udall have both talked about jumping in, though neither has yet.

MoveOn Moves Into Texas Fight: MoveOn.org is raising money to support the 11 Democratic Texas state senators who've been camped out in New Mexico for almost a month to delay a vote on a GOP congressional redistricting plan.

MoveOn, which was formed to oppose the Clinton impeachment but has since morphed into an all-purpose lefty activist group, has raised more than $850,000 toward its $1 million goal in its "Defend Democracy" fundraising drive. The money will be used to help pay the mounting expense of the Democrats, who've been in Albuquerque since July 28 in order to deny the Texas Senate quorum in a special session called by Republican Gov. Rick Perry.

In May, 50 Democrats from the Texas House fled to Oklahoma to temporarily quash the redistricting plan, which would likely give the GOP a huge advantage in the state delegation, which is currently divided 17-15 in the Democrats' favor. The House finally passed the plan in June and Perry called a special Senate session to consider the bill. The 30-day special session expires Tuesday, but Perry has pledged to call another one if needed.

MoveOn's cash will certainly help the 11 Democrats, who have been staying a hotel for almost a month. A Texas political consultant working with MoveOn says 27,000 people have given money so far, including 2,000 Texans, the AP reports.

Political Week Ahead:

Monday 8/25:
Carol Moseley Braun attends voter registration events in Miami. Howard Dean's "Sleepless Summer Tour" continues in Spokane, Washington, and then heads to Texas for a rally in San Antonio. John Edwards' "Real Solutions Express" was in Concord, N.H., this morning before he traveled to Charleston, S.C. for a town-hall meeting. Dick Gephardt addresses communication workers of America (CWA) Convention in Chicago. John Kerry attends various Veterans events in San Antonio, and then heads to Chicago to speak at the CWA Convention. He then attends another Veterans Meet and Greet at the Navy Memorial at the USS Chicago Anchor. Dennis Kucinich attends CWA convention in Chicago. Lieberman holds a happy hour for young professionals at the Arch Street Tavern in Hartford, Conn. Al Sharpton holds press conference to speak out against recall and against Proposition 54 in San Francisco after meeting with Mayor Willie Brown.

Tuesday 8/26:
President Bush attends Bush/Cheney lunch in Minneapolis and then travels to American Legion Convention in St. Louis. Dean wraps up his "Sleepless Summer Tour" and speaks at CWA convention in Chicago. He then heads to New York for a fundraiser and rally. Edwards holds town hall meetings in Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Kerry meets with veterans in Des Moines, Iowa. Kucinich attends united electrical workers union 68th annual convention in Pittsburgh. Lieberman speaks at CWA convention in Chicago.

Wednesday 8/27:
President Bush visits two Midwest states to be announced. Gephardt campaigns in Nevada and New Mexico. Graham attends meet and greet in Albuquerque, N.M. Kucinich holds press conference about energy in Detroit. Lieberman meets with local democratic activists and workers at the Mt. Vernon Mills Incorporated Ark Wright Plant in Spartanburg, S.C.

Thursday 8/28:
Kerry unveils his economic plan in Durham, N.H. Kucinich attends Wisconsin Corn Roast hosted by Rep. Ron Kind.