2. MEET BILL BRADLEY

Overview

In a speech delivered in 1994, Bill Bradley shocked his admirers and detractors alike in a statement that would lay the foundation for the mystique of his Presidential run four years later. "Politics is broken," proclaimed Bradley, in his stunning announcement that he would not continue as New Jersey's Senator. With such bold and sweeping observations, Bradley has redefined himself. Never mind that he was the same moderate Democrat who had spent the last eighteen years in Washington and twice voted for the Reagan budget. Although such a profound shift might seem exceptional, it hardly comes as a surprise given Bradley's miraculous streak of diverse successes.

In 1990, Bill Bradley was a prominent and established Senator with a track record of success and some celebrity status to boot. His only obstacle to reelection was Christine Todd Whitman, a young and inexperienced Republican who was most well-known for her strong ties to the pro-choice movement. Despite spending twelve times the money of his opponent, Bradley refused to take a stand on an issue that Ms. Whitman claimed as crucial: her outspoken opposition to a state-wide tax increase signed into law by then New Jersey governor Jim Florio. Bradley's lack of comment proved to be a gross blunder, as Whitman came close to pulling off a stunning upset (and rode the momentum of her near-victory to the New Jersey Governorship the following year). Bradley claims that the close call reminded him that he needed to do more to speak to the people, gain their trust, and prove his good intentions.

Bradley has consistently demonstrated his willingness to flaunt convention when his own convictions lead him elsewhere. He can only hope that the aura of invincibility that he projects instills confidence in voters and inspires them to cast ballots in his favor. Entering the race late and facing an experienced opponent with overwhelming credentials for the nomination, Bradley's fate hinges on his ability to pull one more rabbit out of a hat and enhance his own near-mythic status. And a chin tuck wouldn't hurt. He has more chin waddle than those cute little Chinese wrinkle dogs. And Bradley ain't cute.

Background

Few résumés are harder to duplicate than that of Bill Bradley. A 1965 graduate of Princeton University, he played for the Men's Olympic basketball team that won the gold. . . and that was only during his junior year. A history major, he received the Rhodes Scholarship and gained his degree from Oxford in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He then returned to the U.S. to play on the New York Knicks. In the league, Bradley became known as a peacemaker, level-headed player, and fierce competitor. After retiring his smelly jersey in 1977, Bill wasted little time in chasing another jersey, running for and capturing the open Senate seat from New Jersey in 1979. His time in the Senate was marked by a weird pattern of voting: in favor of larger spending in some areas and against it in others. But he was well-respected among his peers in the Senate.

Issues

Although there appears to be little love lost between Al Gore and Bill Bradley in debates, the reason for such hostility can hardly be found in the contrast between their proposals. On most issues, Bradley and Gore flat out agree. Such territory includes restrictions on gun purchases, the banning of racial profiling, the barring of soft-money from campaigns, and a one dollar increase in the minimum wage (although Bradley has taken this thought further, proposing that the wage should then be linked to indexes for inflation).

Where there is differentiation is in the details and scope of their respective agendas for the budget surplus. Gore seeks a plan that he hopes will afford Heath Care coverage to most children currently without it, while Bradley's vision is bolder and potentially costlier. He proposes to quickly bring near-universal health care coverage by diverting large amounts of the projected budget surplus to new programs. On other issues, Bradley is more ambitious as well: he outlines several plans to subsidize student loans and create financial incentives for bright young adults to teach. But Bradley's problem is that his ideas can be alienating to Republicans, so how would his plans ever become reality if Congress never approves them? In a nutshell, that might be the trade-off of Bradley for Gore: whereas Bradley has the bold ideas that seek to shake up Washington, Gore makes sure that his predictions reflect his, at times, frustrating dealings with Congress and the entangled alliances of the power brokers in Washington.

Strengths/Weaknesses

Both Al Gore and many voters are getting a little tired of Bradley's condescension toward Gore. Bradley often acts during debates as if he's so much smarter than everyone else, and that if you don't realize it, then you're stupid too. But Gore ain't no dummy, and he's been able to turn Bradley's smugness against him. On another sour note, Bradley tried to build up huge expectations for his campaign to succeed in the Iowa caucus, but he lost to Gore by a margin of 2-1. He also has a little trouble listening to his campaign advisers, often doing the exact opposite of what they suggest. We're certainly not counting Bradley out, but if he does happen to fall short for the nomination and still wants to beef up the résumé, we think that a Nobel Prize or the Pulitzer (heck, or both) would do nicely.

For more information, check out the Bradley campaign's web site at:
http://www.BillBradley.com