Bradley to Obama for 2?

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In a statement released by the Obama Campaign Bradley says, "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. Because of his enormous appeal to Americans of all ages and backgrounds, Obama is the candidate best positioned to win in November. ... His movement for change could create a new era of American politics — truly a new American story."

A hall of fame professional basketball player who went on to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate, Bradley ran in the 2000 presidential primary against Vice President Al Gore by portraying himself as an alternative to Gore appealing to the party's liberal base. Many believe Bradley failed to win because many of New Hampshire's largest voting bloc, independents, voted in the Republican primary supporting Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Aides close to Senator Obama, speaking off the record ahead of the formal announcement, said they hoped the endorsement would “help Obama end rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's status as the national front-runner.” Clinton finished a disappointing third in Iowa's caucuses last week and is deadlocked with Obama in New Hampshire, according to a poll released Saturday.

The CNN-WMUR poll conducted over the weekend following Thursday's Iowa caucus showed the two in a tight race, each with 33 percent support. These results were validated by a second poll, from The Concord Monitor and Research 2000, showing Obama at 34 and Clinton at 33.

"Bill Bradley has always called on Americans to reach for what is possible in our politics," Obama said in the statement. "As a presidential candidate and author, he has continued to challenge us to build a mandate for pragmatic solutions and progressive change."

Bradley is expected to make a personal appearance on Obama's behalf Monday in New Hampshire.