Photos

Recent Articles  

Los Angeles, CA — Former Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey as officially announced his endorsement of Illinois Senator Barack Obama for president. A former Democratic presidential candidate himself, Bradley will campaign with Obama on Monday in New Hampshire. Bradley says Obama's ability to bring people together for change makes him the best Democrat to reclaim the White House.

"Barack Obama is building a broad new coalition that brings together Democrats, Independents, and Republicans by once again making idealism a central focus of our politics," Bradley said in a statement released by the Obama campaign on Sunday.

"Because of his enormous appeal to Americans of all ages and backgrounds, Obama is the candidate best positioned to win in November," Bradley continued. "Barack knows above all that unless people can once again believe in our democracy, we won't be able to do the things that need to be done on health care and education or to break our dependence on foreign oil. His movement for change could create a new era of American politics—truly a new American story."

"Bill Bradley has always called on Americans to reach for what is possible in our politics," said Barack Obama. "As a Senator, he was a thoughtful and tireless reformer, expanding health care for children and college education, and working to heal economic and racial divides. As a presidential candidate and author, he has continued to challenge us to build a mandate for pragmatic solutions and progressive change, and I am truly grateful that he has endorsed my candidacy."

According to ABC News' Karen Travers, Bradley waited until after Iowa to make his final decision on whom to endorse. An unidentified source close to the senator stated he wanted to see how former Senator John Edwards did in the Iowa caucuses before making the final call.

"I like John Edwards a lot, I have a lot of respect for him," Bradley said, according to ABC News. "And I wanted to give him a shot to make his case in Iowa."

Bill Bradley ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2000, after representing New Jersey as a United States Senator from 1979-1997. He lost the nomination to former Vice President Al Gore. Prior to entering politics, Bradley played professional basketball for the New York Knicks. He was inducted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame in 1982 and has written six books about American culture and politics. 

Written By Ann Turner
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.