ORTBALS TAKES UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACH TO U.S. SENATE RACE

Inspired by the Ross Perot-generated protest movement of 1992, and motivated by a concern that most politicians spend too much time raising money that requires them to serve special interests once elected, Gerald Ortbals is offering a new approach in 1994.

Ortbals, a St. Louis attorney, is running as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, hoping to succeed retiring Republican Sen. John Danforth. His slogan is simply: "the Power of One," which he proudly points out means that he will serve just one term if elected and only accept contributions from individuals.

In 1992, Ortbals announced as a candidate to challenge Sen. Christopher Bond, but he backed off before filing.

"I looked at it closely the last time, but the climate was not right for the message I wanted to bring," observed the candidate.

Now, he believes the people will buy his message and are ready for candidates like himself who will be elected without special interest influence and devote their entire term to doing what is right rather than raising money for the next campaign.

"My success will hinge on convincing people of Missouri to choose the `Power of One,'" said Ortbals.

"Although most of our political leaders lack the courage to be open and honest, the Perot-generated protest movement gives us reason to believe that Americans are readier than ever to be dealt with frankly, even it takes some effort to live with frankness."

Ortbals is traveling through Southeast Missouri this week, driving his distinctive campaign van which has petitions attached for a campaign finance reform initiative that could appear on the ballot this year if enough signatures are gathered. The petitions are being promoted by United We Stand Missouri, the Perot organization.

On Friday, he will head to Springfield for the annual Jackson Days event, a major gathering of Missouri Democrats. Though he is running on the Democratic ticket, Ortbals makes it clear he is an "independent" Democrat.

When he first started this campaign, many people were skeptical of his message and desire to seek a single term.

"At first, people were dealing with a new concept and they had to think about it for a while. But now they kind of like the idea and we're definitely being taken seriously," said Ortbals.

If elected, Ortbals admits most of his colleagues in Congress will be part of the status quo, seeking support from special interests and trying to deliver "pork" projects to their state and districts.

"But I see this as a pioneering venture, and I think if I do well, others will try the same thing," said Ortbals.

"Washington needs a few people who aren't lifers; we have too many career politicians up there," said Ortbals.

He points out that members of Congress who are elected with the help of money from special interest groups, and who hope to receive fugture contributions to be re-elected, are unable to put the people first when dealing with issues like the deficit, taxes, health care and welfare reform.

"With the sort of freedom that I could have, I could be much more open in the approaches I could take to health care reform, for example," Ortbals observed.

"There is a great hunger for reform that people have, but if we look at reforms like health care and welfare reform, without the threshold reform which is campaign finance reform, then very little is likely to change."

Ortbals, who once served as chief of staff to Gov. Joe Teasdale, has been out of politics for 17 years. He is in the law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale and serves on the board of seven non profit groups in the St. Louis area.

His efforts have included a program to provide legal services to the homeless, which earned him recognition recently from the United Way and Missouri Bar Association.

"I've been performing my public service in the private sector," said Ortbals, 53, who is married and has three daughters.

In his campaign, he has been focusing fundraising activities in the St. Louis area, and plans to carefully spend his limited supply of campaign money. "My judgment is if you have limited resources, you start at home," he said.

"We have put virtually all of our money into message. We are going to rely on the strength of our message ... our message has really resonated at the grassroots level."

In his quest to win the Democratic nomination Aug. 2, Ortbals is devoting fulltime to the campaign. U.S. Rep. Alan Wheat of Kansas City, Jackson County Executive Marsha Murphy, and State Rep. Steve Carroll of Hannibal are regarded as the leading Democratic candidates.

But by primary election day, Ortbals is optimistic the strength of his message will bring him to the top of the Democratic field and ultimately win him a place in the United States Senate.

"I have to win this race on my own terms, or it won't mean much to me," said Ortbals. "In the final analysis, the "Power of One" will need the help of many."