Bradley Challenges Gore

Michael Jordan may be out. But Bill Bradley is definitely in. Bradley, the former New Jersey senator and NBA star, made it official on Tuesday and filed papers declaring that he'd seek the Democratic nomination for president in 2000. That pits Bradley directly against Vice President Al Gore, the most formidable Democratic heir apparent in a long time. "Evidently Bradley thinks he can do it," says TIME senior writer Eric Pooley. "He's really running for president, and not just positioning himself for vice president. He's the kind of guy who's used to being a star, not No. 2."

Money is the factor that will determine how far Bradley can go. "He had terrific fund-raising clout as a senator," notes Pooley, " and the question remains whether that will carry over as a presidential contender." As a practical matter, Bradley needs to raise $20 million to $25 million before the end of the year. Whatever his chances, his entry injects at least some interest into the Democratic race. More importantly, it introduces a steam-venting outlet for Democrats who, as a result of the Republican impeachment stampede, have been afraid to air their anti-Clinton-Gore frustrations.