The High Jumper from St. Louis Missouri

Not since James Garfield managed the feat in 1880 has a political candidate succeeded in leaping from the House of Representatives to the White House, although several have tried, including Publisher-Politician William Randolph Hearst in 1904 and Independent Candidate John Anderson in 1980. Last week Democratic Congressman Richard Gephardt of St. Louis announced that he would be the next to attempt the toughest political high jump of all.

Flanked by bunting, two marching bands, a full choir, 2,800 flag-waving supporters, his mother, his photogenic wife Jane, his three children and many of the local and national politicians who have endorsed him,...