Jan. 25, 2000

Bradley winds up Iowa campaign
with rally at Drake University

By Katie Willhite
CyberCaucus 2000 News Service
Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa--The plain, beige walls of Drake University's tennis center were transformed into a bright, enthusiastic pledge of support for former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley on Sunday, the evening before the Iowa caucuses.

Homemade signs reading "Students love Bradley" and "I'll gladly caucus for Bradley" hung among a patriotic sprinkling of cardboard stars, and Brother Trucker, a local folk-rock band, played to the anxious group of Drake students and other community members gathered for the rally in support of Bradley.

The scheduled time of Bradley's appearance, 8:30 p.m., passed, but the band and a professional clown creating balloon animals kept the rally attendees swaying, smiling and, at the least, entertained. After an official announced the candidate's expected time of arrival, the crowd started a chant, to be repeated many times throughout the evening, "Bradley, Bradley!"

To the sound of this chant, Bradley entered the building, only to be directed to the balcony for an interview for a segment on ABC's "Good Morning, America." By the time he made his way to the platform, the group was cheering, whistling and waving signs in the air.

Before Drake student Marta Anderson introduced the first speaker, African-American scholar Cornel West, she said, "I feel like my heart is going to explode. I can't think of a better way to spend the night before caucuses than with all of you and Bill Bradley."

West, author of "Race Matters," said he was thrilled by the energy at the rally and attributed it to a "new wave of young activists, here and around the country."

"Bill Bradley is on the move, and we are here with him. Let us work together, struggle together for the election of Bill Bradley for President," West said.

Other speakers included the wife of the candidate, Ernestine Bradley, who said her husband is the "one person in this race who will be honest, straightforward and respect the voters," and Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn.

Wellstone emphasized Bradley's focus on health care and asked, "How can it be that at peak economic performance, we're still being told that we can't provide good health care for every citizen?"

He also spoke of the importance of the next day's events. "This is a historic gathering because now is the time for a president that can make our country a better place to live. Therefore, now is the time to get organized, go to the caucus and win Iowa," Wellstone said.

When Bradley spoke over the roar of the enthusiastic crowd, he outlined what he would like to accomplish as president. His goals included keeping the country at peace, protecting the environment, reaching higher economic grounds and providing American children with a chance to achieve their potential.

"I'm not willing to settle for anything less than moving our collective humanity a few feet forward," Bradley said. "I want to use the power of that office to open a world of new possibilities guided by goodness."

In an effort to appeal to younger voters who may be turned off by politics, he said, "Politics to many young people has become nothing more than winning, polling, negative attacks on opponents. That's not why I got into politics-- I got into politics for service."

Explaining what he believes to be different about his campaign, Bradley said, "I believe everything that I just told you. This campaign is based on the radical premise that you can tell people what you believe and win."

Bradley closed the rally with a challenge for his supporters. "People say we can't win, but I say if the energy in this room, the commitment in this room goes out and makes 15 contacts, 20 contacts, we're going to surprise a lot of people."