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Bradley Dropping Out of Presidential Race
by The Editors

Jan. 21, 2000 -- NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley is going to be dropping out of the presidential race.

There has been speculation over the last two weeks among journalists and professionals close to the campaigns of both Bradley and Vice President Al Gore that Bradley was preparing for the possibility of a withdrawal announcement after polls close on "Super Tuesday," March 7th.

However, the editors of American Politics Journal have learned that it is likely that Bradley will announce his withdrawal in a matter of days. The move comes in the wake of his admission yesterday that he has suffered no less than four "episodes" of a form of cardiac arrhythmia since it was first revealed that he has an irregular heartbeat last month.

Bradley has insisted that that the four additional episodes of a medical condition known as atrial fibrillation are non-life threatening, and has characterized the condition as being under control through medication. However, the four episodes he admitted to yesterday not only revived questions about Bradley's health but raised new ones as to whether the condition is actually under control -- and might be aggrevated or even escalated into a life-threatening episode under the strains of the presidency, or the campaign.

Additionally, Bradley's own internal polling indicates that his support is waning noticeably in both Iowa and New Hampshire -- and that the majority of Democrat fence-sitters in each state who have decided to "jump off" are going to Vice President Al Gore's side.

Bradley has also seen one of the few federal officials to endorse his candidacy -- Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska -- announce that he will be retiring from politics to accept an academic appointment.

For the time being, Bradley is maintaining his campaign schedule. But members of the press, politicians, and pundits are now intensely scrutinizing the Bradley camp for any unexpected moves, developments or announcements.