11-06-1999
POLITICS: Bill Bradley Profile
Born: Crystal City, Mo., July 28, 1943
Family: Wife, Ernestine Schlant; daughter, Theresa Anne; stepdaughter,
Stephanie
Religion: Presbyterian
Education: Princeton University, B.A. American history (thesis on Harry S.
Truman's 1940 Senate campaign), 1965; Oxford University, Rhodes scholar,
M.A. politics, philosophy, and economics, 1968
Military Service: First lieutenant, U.S. Air Force Reserve,
1967-78
Career: NCAA All-American, 1963-65; captain, U.S. Olympic Basketball Team,
1964; forward, New York Knicks, 1967-77; U.S. Senator, New Jersey,
1979-96; essayist, CBS News, 1997; senior adviser, Morgan Guaranty Trust,
and vice chairman of International Council, J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc.,
1997-98
Campaign Headquarters: 395 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ
07052
Phone: (973) 731-2100
Web Site: www.billbradley.com
Campaign Staff: Chairman, Doug Berman; manager, Gina Glantz; deputy
campaign manager, Ed Turlington; national finance director, Rick Wright;
senior adviser for communications, Anita Dunn; press secretary, Eric
Hauser; pollster, Diane T. Feldman; senior media adviser, Will Robinson;
issues director, Mark C. Alexander
Key Endorsements: Sens. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
D-N.Y., and Paul Wellstone, D-Minn.; Missouri Secretary of State Bekki
Cook (D); Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling (D); Seattle Mayor Paul
Schell (D)
KEY PROPOSALS
Campaign Finance Reform: "Nothing breaks down trust in democracy as
powerfully and surely as money."
Bradley advocates public financing--the amount to be determined by
population and media market size--for federal candidates in general
elections. Candidates would also receive free television time in the six
weeks before the election. In primaries, candidates would earn a 2-1
federal match for contributions up to $250. "Soft-money"
contributions to national party committees would be banned.
Health Care: "When it comes to America's health, this is not the time
to be timid."
Bradley would extend health care coverage to 95 percent of the 45 million
adults and children who are uninsured. The federal budget surplus would
pay for the $55 billion-$65 billion per year plan. Parents could enroll
their children, upon birth, in a federally approved private insurance plan
or the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. A family of four with an
annual income under $32,800 would receive a $1,200-per-child refundable
tax credit to pay premiums. Families with incomes up to $49,200 would
receive a graduated subsidy. Higher-income families could deduct the cost
of insurance premiums from their income tax, whether they itemize or not.
Uninsured adults in a four-member family with an annual household income
under $16,400 and all current Medicaid participants would get an $1,800
tax credit to cover private insurance or FEHBP costs. All health care
insurance premiums would be excluded from taxable income. Medicare
recipients would get a prescription drug benefit that would have a $500
deductible, $25 monthly premium, and a 25 percent co-payment.
Child Poverty: "At a time of great prosperity, I believe we have the
wealth to eliminate child poverty as we know it."
Bradley would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 over two
years and then index it to the annual increase in the national median
wage. The earned income tax credit for families with at least three
children would be increased, and he would allow EITC recipients to keep
more of the benefit as they earn more income. Bradley would increase Head
Start enrollment by 400,000 and make the Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
OTHER ISSUES
Abortion: Supports existing law and full Medicaid funding for poor women
seeking abortions. Would allow so-called partial-birth abortions if the
life or health of the mother is endangered.
Child Care: Would create a $2 billion-a-year Early Care and Education
Partnership Program for children under 6. Funds would be distributed in a
5-1 federal match to state and county public-private partnerships that
provide early-care and early-education opportunities.
Education: Would add 60,000 teachers to inner-city and rural
"high-need" schools per year. Would spend $2 billion over five
years on community colleges.
Gun Control: Would ban Saturday night specials, and require national gun
registration and licenses for gun owners. Would raise fees on gun dealers
and require trigger locks and background checks at gun shows.
Taxes: Does not support tax cuts at this time and opposes President
Clinton's proposed reductions.
MONEY
Total receipts through 3rd quarter $19,274,768
Total spent $8,573,001
Cash-on-hand $10,701,766
Contributions below $200 $1,387,706 7%
Contributions of $200-$999 $3,392,634 18%
Contributions of $1000+ $1,4091,740 74%
PACs 0 0
Candidate self-financing $2,708 0
Other $118,247 1%
Top five states
California $3,412,115
New York $3,112,937
New Jersey $1,856,154
Illinois $1,596,083
Massachusetts $699,075
Top five occupations
Lawyers, law firms $1,715,941
Securities and investment $1,559,199
Retired individuals $820,125
Real estate $528,068
Business services $365,250
National Journal
