Heart-to-Hart talk buoys delegates from Utah

BOSTON — Utah delegates finally heard from a well-known Democrat — well, at least one many remembered from his presidential race 20 years ago. At their last breakfast meeting Thursday, former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart stopped by and offered his perspective on the election.

Hart left quickly after his speech, but a few delegates managed to shake his hand. Earlier this week, they'd asked whether they were ever going to hear from a high-profile speaker.

Such celebrities as actor Ben Affleck have visited other delegations from so-called battleground states that could go to either the Republicans or the Democrats in November.

Utah's state Democratic Party chairman Donald Dunn said he couldn't reveal what strings he pulled at the last minute to get Hart.

"That's a state secret," Dunn said.