Breaking News: Ex-Senator Bradley to endorse Barack Obama

Former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, a former Democratic presidential candidate who unsuccessfully challenged Vice President Al Gore for their party's 2000 presidential nomination, will endorse Barack Obama and campaign with the Illinois senator in New Hampshire Monday.

The endorsement was leaked to several news organizations during the night as part of an Obama effort to dominate the news in the closing hours of the primary race in Tuesday's New Hampshire voting. According to one report, Bradley waited this long to endorse Obama because he wanted to let another former senator, John Edwards, have a fair shot at winning the nomination and has now concluded Obama is the best bet.

In a statement prepared for release later today, Bradley will praise Obama for working to build a wide coalition of Democrats, Republicans and independents in his bid to become the first African American presidential nominee for a major party.

The 64-year-old Bradley, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, served three terms as a senator from New Jersey, where he attended Princeton. He was first elected to the Senate in 1978 with 55% of the vote and became known as something of an aloof policy wonk. He was re-elected in 1984 with 64% of the vote but nearly lost in 1990 to a then-largely unknown Republican named Christine Todd Whitman. In 1996, Bradley declined to run again, claiming American politics was broken.

Four years later he ran for president on the liberal side of Gore and enjoyed a burst of wide popularity. But his insurgent campaign could not compete for publicity with an insurgent in the Republican party who's still around, Sen. John McCain, who badly beat his party's establishment candidate, George W. Bush, in New Hampshire and, according to some polls, has taken the GOP lead there again in recent days. Bradley's 2000 campaign ultimately dissipated because it could not match Gore's fundraising and organization.

Bradley's endorsement power may help Obama among New Hampshire liberals and independents, which could hurt McCain, also popular with independents there. But the last presidential candidacy Bradley endorsed didn't work out so well. Along with Gore in 2004, Bradley supported the doomed presidential bid of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, now chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[shirlin]

Hooray for Bradley. The House of Clinton was a huge reason for the broken politics that drove Bradley out of public service. A Hillary win in the primariies will mean more of the same. Obama is an American phenomenon. Hillary is the Bhutto phenomenon in our beloved Republic. The whole world knows that she will not be where she is without the manipulations of her husband Bill, who wants to skirt the constitution and to return to the White House for another eight years of divide and rule. Obama shows he is able to get cynical and apathetic voters back into practising their rights as citizens. She wants to go back to the past, claiming all sorts of victories when it was Bill who was governor and then president. She needs to stop beiing so negative and divisive. That is the politics of the old and not the politics of experience.

[Ed]

As a former republican and now independant, I cannot beleive that Hillary can lose this thing, but now it looks like it could be possible. She still has the best chance, especially with the old Democrat guard behind her. Obama is different and I will tell you if NH has record turnout and he wins, then people are going to notice and he could be unstoppable. GO OBAMA !

Come on LA TIMES, have some faith, endorse him !

[ArmyVet]

I welcome Bill Bradley's endorsement of Obama. My hope is that this nation heals, and that the next Commander-in-Chief is a veteran committed to a strong military and an improved and expanded VA Health Care System. Right now, we have too many veterans who are excluded and far too many without any dental care.

[A Young American]

I am from the poorest state in America. Young people here are angry, they feel betrayed by their country and by the adults of this world. The increase in violene and poverty makes it increasingly difficult to live here. Voting for Hillary will not change these people's outlook on life, but to see that an election for a figure like Obama is possible may at least send a signal that America is trying, that our country is not beholden to the powerful and that the young and poor are more than mere serfs in their service.

[john Smart]

the persistent delusion among liberals that "healing" is a political act is why obama would lose in november. and a true liberal has not elected since 1932.
the obama surge is working directly into the GOP's hand. and the media's utter lack of coverage of obama the man - not obama the "story" as daniel shore put it on NPR - is fueling what will be a GOP landslide in November. Obama will lose badly to McCain and the GOP knows it.
they talk him up. they want him to remove Clinton. Huckabee even talked him up on the tonight show.
Nominee Obama= GOP President.

[Wendy Alane Wright]

Obama will win in New Hampshire. Hillary Clinton is not political change, she is the same old thing all over again in a woman's package. As excited as i am that she is a woman and tis is historic, her politics are not new and personally, I don't want to go backwards. I truly want a CHANGE in the white house and in Washington that I think OBAMA will bring, My hope is that after he wins the Democratic nomination, that John Edwards joins Obama as his vice president. An OBAMA/EDWARDS team will do amazing things for America!

[anne villa]

"OBAMA PORTRAIT MUSIC VIDEO" on Youtube - Don't Miss It!

For those of you who still have not heard:

There is a WONDERFUL and INSPIRING music video on Youtube.com entitled "Obama Portrait Music Video by Bjarne O."
You can use the free downloaded high-quality stereo version from the composer's website in DVD form to show at house parties. Even people who knew nothing at all about Obama have been moved: either a thrilling introduction, or further inspiration for those of us who already know and fight for Obama.
The music soundtrack, which incorporates excerpts from the famous 2004 speech, can also be downloaded separately in high-quality.

It is an uplifting and informative campaign tool - so please, SPREAD THE WORD!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mCPwbozpIzM

Together for Obama,
Anne

[wendy alane wright]

Obama will WIN in New Hampshire. Hillary Clinton is NOT political change, she is the same old thing, all over again -now in a woman's package. As excited as I am that she is a woman, and yes, it is historic, Hillary's politics are NOT NEW and personally, I don't want to go backwards. Been there, done that. I truly want a CHANGE in the white house and in Washington Politics that I think OBAMA will bring, OBAMA is Change. Hillary is not. Her attack politics show me she is willing to go to any lengths to win. Recently Hillary said, "I'm not interested in attacking my opponents, I'm interested in attacking the problems of America..." Hillary Clinton, 11/10/07. In the Jan 5, 2007 televised debate, we saw the attacks she said she would never do, and a nasty side of Hillary. I don’t trust her at all.

My hope is that after OBAMA WINS the Democratic nomination, that John Edwards joins Obama as his vice presidential running mate. An OBAMA/EDWARDS team will do amazing things for America!

[Maxine Dorsette]

Voting for Hilliary as a vehicle for change is a joke! Hillary said a woman would mean change, well, so would an African American! Did you see her up the satage in Iowa surrounded by Bill, Madeline, and other old cronies from an eight-year embarrassing regime--shady deals, revolting pardons, taking items that belonged to the White House on the way out the door. And that's just the short list! This country suffered from Bush II in 2000 and we do not need a return to Clinton Part 2 in 2008. Kennedy was young when he entered the White House. It's time to pass on "more of the same" baby boomers and give Obama our votes.

[Eric]

I'm cynical about Bradley endorsing Obama just before New Hampshire. If he wanted to wait until Edwards had a "fair shot" at the nomination, he'd have picked another, less intrusive, time to endorse Obama. It makes me think he'd like to be Obama's VP choice. Come on, Bradley, let the voters decide! Personally, I think the Democrats' best chance in November is with Edwards.

[Tad Dickson]

Obama will be gaining a lot more support. Watch for Al Gore to come out in support also.
................................................................................................................................
Obama attracts the voters like a magnet, he will be a President that we all can respect.
A big change from the last 16 years, of confusion and dispair.
He will ask all of us to help ourselves and empower a nation to once again succeed in what we do best.

[Jose Gonzalez Sr.]

This is not your classical "endorsement". This is a fantastic endorsement coming from one of the most ethical former member of the Senate, one that really should have been President of this great nation, a true reformer.

By granting his endorsement to Obama we can be assured that Mr. Bradley, whose sole interest was always teamwork, the people he represented and the nation as a whole, is sending all of us independents and Democrats a message, a simple message: Obama is the right candidate, at the right time and for the right reason-to change our pathetic style of governing in Washington.

I am glad for Obama and I am thankful to Bradley for his leadership.

Jose Gonzalez, Sr.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

[Don Rondo]

Obama's credentials will soon be obfuscated by his religious upbringing and ethnicity. If the Dems put their hope in this man they are setting themselves up for another trouncing and another Bush-a-Like will be our next President. Trump cards are being held by both sides but will end up defeating Obama and parlaying another Hawk and his covenant into the office of Supremacy. The Dems best chance for survival is John Edwards and all of this nation knows it. Between media bias and racial prejudice Obama will lose if succeeding as the Dem nominee. Obama lacks the experience and doesn't fit the ideal American dream of the " Great White Hope." Sad but true, the Presidential race has become a popularity contest . People lose sight of the real issues as is evidenced by Hillary's fall from grace in Iowa. Corporate America might support Huckabee because of his " Unfair Tax " but they certainly won't support someone who can't get things done because of a biased congress.

[Don Rondo]

where did you hide my comment???

(It's right above here where you put it a few mins. ago.)

[Raymond Levitt]

In the NH debate, Obama argued that creating hope and embracing inclusiveness are required to make real change in some of our most important and intractable domestic policy issues -- especially social security and health care reform. But he did not quite close the loop. He needs to spell it out in more detail to the voters. Explain that it takes a supermajority to stop filibusters in the senate and to override a presidential veto. The only way to get this supermajority for difficult changes in our currently polarized political spectrum is to bring over moderate republicans and independents to vote alongside sensible democrats to make the needed tough decisions. That is why "words" -- words, delivered with passion and oratorical flair that inspire inclusiveness, courage and hope -- become so decisive. Obama's demonstrated ability to draw in outsiders to support an agenda of change distinguishes him from Hillary Clinton, whose lack of easy empathy and bitter history with Republicans during her husband's administration make this impossible for her, and from John Edwards, with his legalistic background and strident advocacy of class warfare.

So do it Obama! Use your words to tell us why words matter!

[Martin Edwin]

Senator Clinton denigrated the importance of speech in a democracy in last night's debate in New Hampshire. But she should remember this ...

When Cicero finished speaking, the people said, “My, how well he spoke.” When Demosthenes finished speaking the people said, “Let us march!”

Candidates should strive to emulate Demosthenes. (It gets us fired up and ready to go ;)

[Alicia]

Bush, GHW - The original
Clinton, WJ - The original
Bush, GW - The sequel
Clinton, HR - Another sequel?

We don't need another sequel and the only "change" would be gender. Here "experience" is only her name. I'm over it already.

On to Obama! Obama = Change.

[Bass]

I am simply tired of the Bush/Clinton 20 yr dynasty and prefer a breath of fresh air in the white house. Obama to me fits that profile.

[tenaciousbee]

Disingenuous at best. Bill who? Sorry, I'm not a sports fan.

[Long Legs]

One thing I noticed is that O'bama supporters seem so negative. They are like pitbulls attacking other people because we do not believe in the Fantasy they are helping O'bama to create. They could do the rest of the country a favor and ask for something other than excepting a Rhetoric Rally!!!!! You who support O'bama have been creating a Cult, are you going to take arsenic as well---for O'bama? Does O'bama know most of you are disrespectful in his name? G.W. Bush ran the same rhetoric in 2000, and people are falling for it again. Except one difference W. did not need worry about the Nasty Republican Tactics---They will make Mince Meat of the your sweet messages you listen to like a cult. What happens when he gets tough questions and he has no-one to tell him what to say? O'bama is the Republican's Dream Opponent---he has no experience on Foreign Policy. He would need to have someone with him when going to other countries to ask "How do I respond to what this leader just said to me!" And if he did not do take someone with him, he would not think of the preperations to an Attack on Pakistan. Hillary had it right 100%, you need to warn Pakistan and India what is going to happen, so you do not get them thinking the other did it and set of one of the bloodiest battles that will spilll out to other coutries in the Region. We do not need another Bush in the White House---"Someone who would not know how to handle Foreign Affairs Off-The-Cuff!!!!!" Do not be FOOLED BY THE REPUBLICAN's DIRTY RULE BOOK---THEY WILL SQUASH O'BAMA LIKE A FLY ON THE WALL!!!!! WAKE UP WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE FOREIGN POLICY BLUNDERS!!!!!

[Dwight]

Folks,

The Obama-Hillary debate is a real discussion about management.

Let's hope the press understands that and helps keep the focus there.

The difference is very real, and highly relevant to presidential success.

Congrats to Obama for citing Reagan! A great add to his list of Kennedy and MLK!

Next step: remind people that Reagan was roundly crticized as an old man for taking naps. And Carter worked like a dog on all the details.

That should do the trick, for the right reasons. Competence!

Hillary for Chief of Staff! That's where workaholic details junkies belong.

Obama for President! That's where communicative visionaries belong.

I ! am ! excited! Just look at all those ! exclamation ! points !

[cindyj]

Women in every color and culture work harder and prove themselves longer. That’s why a women’s ability to reach the White House steps, a route designed with colorful detours, has dragged on. Many people are unaware women have only been allowed to vote since 1920. A qualified woman might be what this country needs. Why risk loosing this historically remarkable opportunity to break the glass ceiling over respect and equal pay? We could forever end that injustice.

Why haven’t we seriously talked about prejudices and race? Could it be that first we have to get it right on ending the inequality of the human being spieces? How much could we accomplish with a humankind that is equally whole, empowered to work together? The action of seeing a woman sworn into the highest office would transform hearts and minds around the world. I’m sad Barack Obama interferes with that goal. Why not support it, giving recognition to American women and allies whose 40 years of work has come? Why is that? Is it because he too plays a subtle race card and feels he doesn’t have to? He says we need him this election because change is needed, but admits it’ll take time. Why didn’t he see to it his name was on Michigan and Florida ballots? Where was his insight on the foreseeable fight over voter disenfranchisement? Many saw that coming. I celebrate his future. We share his aspirations, but frighteningly like Bush, Obama was rushed to popularity as somewhat unknown.

My last letter to The Chronicle was responded to by another writer who suggested that when a woman becomes president, she wants to be proud of her. Fair enough. But is that yet another higher standard? I am blessed to have been born in America, but there hasn’t been a president in my adult lifetime who has made me feel all that proud. There was Nixon (enough said). Reagan cut the Middle Class in half, illegally sold weapons to Iran then lied about it, and took credit for ending the Cold War when Russia’s economy broke; much like ours is breaking. We forgive people for misdeeds and little white lies, right? After all, we watch Oliver North tell War Stories on Fox. Bush turned what’s left of the “little middle” the Clinton years built up, to the new Upper Poor Class. Obama doesn’t see them. Bush crushed Separation of Church and State, giving your tax dollars for the first time to fundamentalist religious and tax free groups, a program Obama wants to continue. And Bush is erasing our borders; sovereignty without a national discussion. He’s not concerned with civil rights, the Constitution, or lying us into the Iraq War. He believes he won’t be held accountable while living because history still writes books about our first president.

Obama should debate Hillary one on one! Why not give the equal half of the imperfect human spieces her chance? McCain evolves on issues like a chameleon. I heard him speak he would return the Draft! We know Hillary well, her life an open book. We know her work, her mistakes, her growth, her goals and what she will do. I am proud and honored to be backing her. If all else fails, she’s demonstrating the will needed to fight continued bias, and the incredible strength future female contenders will need to be elected President. One day, hopefully soon, women will be allowed to lead as well as vote.