Bill Bradley...a walk down memory lane...
As we gear up for the 2008 election...
As I've commented on the prospects of various Presidential candidates:)...
I always come back to the person I thought was the last great American Presidential candidate:):)...
Bill Bradley...former New York Knick...and former Senator from New Jersey:):)...
It was so nice to hear Bill's voice again on these two clips:):):)...
Bill Bradley...One on one with PBS Online Newshour's Margaret Warner...
...and...
Bill Bradley/Al Gore...The Last Debate of the 2000 Election...Online Newshour...
Bill and I disagree on a lot these days...two issues, in particular, we agreed on during that election...and I disagree with him on them now...campaign finance regulation and gun rights...
But I COMPLETELY support Bill's intentions with such efforts...and still support voluntary efforts to clean up the American democratic process and to promote responsible gun ownership...but the Bush Presidency made completely clear for me what big and arrogant government looks like...how people view such government...and how that leads to reactions and responses to legislation that even the best-intentioned leaders, like Bill, never imagine...and how the best policy thinking must account for those realities, no matter how great and honest Bill's intentions are with these two and other important policy ideas that he has shared with the American and world democratic community...
So...I don't think Bill was the last great candidate because I agree with him on everything...campaign finance reform and gun control, after all, are two of his signature issues...
And I don't just support candidates that I've voted for in the past...
In 1992...like a ghost that will forever haunt me:):):):):)...I voted for George Herbert Walker Bush for President over Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton:):):)...a collosal error of judgment on my part, I think:):):):):):)...not because George senior was a bad President...he was a pretty good President, actually, I think:):):)...FAR better than his much more stubborn and foolhardy son:):):)...
It was an error of judgment on my part because -- by all really important data on the positive consequences of a Presidency, I think -- Bill Clinton was, by far, the better of the two candidates as President:):):)...
So I don't just support Bill because I voted for him:):):)...if I make a mistake, I acknowledge it:):):)...
I support Bill...meaning I would LOVE if he would throw his much needed hat into the ring for this Presidential election and elevate the public discussion...
For who Bill is...
Bill Bradley...in addition to being the smartest man, I think, to run for the Presidency...smarter than Bill Clinton, I think...
In addition to being the most kind and decent and genuine:):):)...
Is also the man with the most integrity, I think, that I've ever watched run for the Presidency:):):)...
He is an essentially decent and good man...and I was so proud to work on his campaign in the months leading up to the Iowa caucuses for the Democratic Primaries:):):)...
If you listen to these audio clips...I think you'll get the jist of what I mean...
Bill was a real inspiration during that campaign...and he raised the standard for what, eventually, became a really nasty and bitter battle for the Presidency between Al Gore and George Bush...
And he is the proudest vote I've ever made in an American election...
And I'd love to do it again this next election...if he'd consider running again:):)...
But mostly I love Bill Bradley...because...as he said in that interview with Margaret Warner:):):)...
Because he's just himself:):):)...
And because I really respect that a lot about him:):):)...
And miss his brilliant, creative, decent, and kind-hearted contributions to the democratic discussion...from a broad worldview with a long-term perspective...
I miss what a good man Bill Bradley is...and how good Bill demonstrated that American politics can be...given the commitment by a leader to be that good:):):)...
Thanks, Bill...for all the memories (including looking up at you and Bill Russell and the HUGE men that you two are...and having you sign an autograph for me with me, in one of the rare moments of my life, speechless...because I just couldn't think of anything to say to you that didn't leave me feeling like you'd think I was an idiot:):):)...
And a really lovely trip up to Iowa with Brandi...to join the other really idealistic campaign workers, there:):):)...and to just appreciate the warmth that comes when a lot of people -- especially young people -- get together to do good...for goodness sake...not because we know it will win...not because it will make us any money...or doing anything for us, personally...
But just to do good:):):)...
Thanks, Bill...
For demonstrating that politics can be that good:):):) (and perpetually better:):):):):):):)...
Love,
Ben
