Major endorsement for Obama...

The momentum continues...

Breaking News: Ex-Senator Bradley to endorse Barack Obama
LA Times

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.

...

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.

Bill Bradley had lots of fans in Texas.  I assume the same is true across the country.  This endorsement will help Barack win over undecided voters in New Hampshire.

Fired up!  Ready to go!

•  Tip jar

  Maybe Bradley respects Obama's basketball skills?

  by Texas Populist on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:21:20 AM PDT

  •  That's pretty much a metaphor for this campaign

    Nothing but net on his first shot.

    - Albert Einstein

    by Walt starr on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:23:28 AM PDT

•  It's not breaking

  This was reported here last night.

  by williams477 on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:23:26 AM PDT

  •  Fair enough

    Went out last night and am just tuning into the news.  I was naturally thrilled to learn that Bradley is now on Team Obama.

    by Texas Populist on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:25:01 AM PDT

•  interesting

  Bradley was the "fresh face" of the 2000 primary season and his endorsement seems likely to play to independents.

  Speaking in purely hypothetical terms (and I don't mean to jump the gun on this), Bradley would also be an interesting VP pick if Obama were to win the nomination. He has substantial Washington experience that Obama lacks, but he's been out of the Senate for 12 years and wouldn't have to explain away embarrassing votes cast in 2001-2002 that haunt many beltway Democrats.

  by pine on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:26:16 AM PDT

  •  Bradley for VP?

    Interesting.  I hadn't considered that until you mentioned.  Certainly would be exciting!

    I wonder who would win a game of one-on-one?  Could Obama dunk over Bradley?

    by Texas Populist on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:31:04 AM PDT

    •  This is a profoundly serious question.

      I've given it some serious thought. It might depend on whether fouls were called. If so, no contest. Bradley was one of the greatest foul shooters of all time. (His Princeton record of 50+ in a row stood for years, until Calvin Murphy broke it.) He had a reliable outside jumper even against the likes of NBA big men but (surprise!) couldn't jump to save his life. Obama, per a recent Sports Illustrated article, is quick, has a good outside shot, and isn't afraid to use his elbows. He's maybe 15 years younger, which has to help. On the other hand, he was a high school bench warmer while BB was, well, BB. Bradley's 6' 5" to Barack's 6' 2" or so. Height advantage to Bradley, shooting eye to Bradley, quickness to Obama. One of Bradley's great strengths was his passing game. No advantage there. Final analysis -- and I will brook no opposition -- Bradley, 21-14 after a spirited, banging game in which Bill astounds with his still sharp outside shooting. Then he collapses and is rushed to the ER. He's fine, thank God. Advantage Democrats.

      by mainer on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 09:35:07 AM PDT

      •  Hilarious!

        Thanks for this analysis.  It would be awesome to seem them on the court.  I think you're right...Bradley would win, but Barack would put up a good fight.

        by Texas Populist on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 10:34:04 AM PDT

  •  if Obama is a democratic nominee

    he doesn't need to rally the base at all. I think Webb is an obvious choice barring Edwards. He appeals to rural working class whites and has Foreign policy experience without being seen as a old wise man. In addition he's a tough motherfucker who would have Obama's back when he takes incoming from the right wing attack machine.

    by nevadadem on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:31:06 AM PDT

    •  That's a good point as well

      While we liberals might love Bradley as VP, maybe we should keep our focus on the general election.

      Webb would help win Virginia, and Edwards has a very talented and proven staff/volunteers.

      by Texas Populist on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:34:38 AM PDT

    •  Is Webb's seat safe for Dems?

      I agree that Webb as running mate would bolster Obama's national defense credibility, but I want our Democratic president, when elected, to have the largest possible margins in both houses of Congress.  I think Webb might still be more useful remaining in the Senate working for passage of effective legislation and helping to continue to shift Virginia from red to blue.

      by CDH in Brooklyn on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:39:45 AM PDT

      •  I concur

        Instead of making him VP, it might make more sense to have Webb remain a senator, but deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention this summer. He's a good speaker and did an awesome job with his SOTU response last year.

        by pine on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:56:42 AM PDT

      •  yes he has a democratic governor

        so Webb's seat is safe.

        by ronnied on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 08:20:48 AM PDT

        •  for the full five years remaining on his term?

          or would the appointee have to defend the seat in a special election?

          by CDH in Brooklyn on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 08:27:13 AM PDT

    •  Love the signature.

      When I heard that I immediately thought "Oh oh, Hillary forgot that she's now the agent of change!"

      by mainer on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 09:52:31 AM PDT

  •  Pains me to say it, but ...

    ... the best choice for VP for Obama is (sigh) Jim Webb.  I don't want to lose him as a Senator, but Webb brings foreign policy experience balance without bringing either inside-the-beltway baggage or pro-war baggage.  Obama shouldn't nominate a VP that contradicts his "change" message: Webb was the fresh face (non-insider) of 2006.

    He also helps (doesn't ensure) big time in Virginia and points south.    

    by VirginiaDem on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:38:24 AM PDT

•  Bill Bradley Helps in NH & NJ

  New Jersey is a Feb. 5 state.

  by howardpark on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:26:47 AM PDT

  •  He had a following in NH in 2000

    Unfortunately for him, though, the indies inclined to support him ultimately went to McCain.

    by livosh1 on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:29:23 AM PDT

    •  Hopefully indies will go with Barack this year

      Barack was already polling well with independents, and hopefully Bradley will help stop NH independents from jumping on the McCain bandwagon.

      by Texas Populist on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:32:40 AM PDT

      •  This can only help. n/t

        by livosh1 on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 08:17:11 AM PDT

  •  Bradley will also help in New York

    which is not a winner take all state.

    by ronnied on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 08:21:40 AM PDT

•  O/T...

  what is the "Rate All" button next to rec/troll buttons?

  by joy sinha on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:30:44 AM PDT