
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 18, 1995                   TAG: 9508180058
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEWARK, N.J.                                 LENGTH: Medium

BRADLEY MULLS INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL BID

A day after announcing he was leaving the Senate, Democrat Bill Bradley said Thursday he might make an independent run for president next year if the two parties remain out of touch with voters.

Bradley added to speculation about his plans by mentioning that he'd spoken to Gen. Colin Powell and put in a call to Ross Perot.

``My objective is to get the political process to focus on the lives of people who are now disconnected from it,'' Bradley told reporters.

He said an independent presidential bid was one possibility but would not give a timetable for a decision.

``I just simply said today that I have not ruled it out,'' Bradley said.

Bradley, 52, was seen as a possible Democratic presidential contender in 1988 and 1992, but never became a candidate.

Analysts said voters have become more accepting of an independent run. They said Bradley would face numerous financial and logistical hurdles if he wants to run next year, but Bradley's supporters insist he will decide based upon his own instincts.

``I think what Bradley is really doing is being first in line if Clinton self-destructs,'' said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political analyst. ``Then, Bradley can say, `I'm tanned, rested and ready.'''

Bradley said he had spoken with Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a frequent subject of presidential speculation, and tried to contact Perot, the 1992 independent presidential candidate. He said little about the Powell conversation beyond that it was among many calls he made to announce his intentions.

He also has spoken with President Clinton. Bradley refused to speculate on Clinton's prospects or whether he would support the president.

``I think President Clinton has done some good things,'' said Bradley, who ruled out a primary challenge. ``I've also had my disagreements with him.''

In announcing Wednesday that he would not run for a fourth Senate term next year, Bradley said he'd decided the Senate was not the only place to lead, or to make a difference in people's lives. On Thursday he said the presidency might not be the right place for him to do that, either.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB