“Introducing Senator Bradley. He is a sophisticated guest, a man of incredible intelligence and an extremely honorable man. He is idealistic and practical which means for the first time in a long time we have a candidate we can vote for,” said Blueberry Hill owner Joe Edwards.

The former New Jersey senator, presidential candidate and Missouri native arrived at Blueberry Hill in University City to press the flesh and fire up an enthusiastic, mostly student and obviously pro-Bradley crowd with a thoughtful and humorous speech.

“You know, the St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl, I’m bringing you late-breaking news,” said Bradley. “And the way they won the Super Bowl was by stopping the Tennessee Titans at the one-yard line. I come from Missouri–Crystal City, Missouri. Al Gore comes from Tennessee,” said Bradley. “So, by analogy, we’re going to stop him at the one-yard line.”

Bradley appealed to the supporters by emphasizing his need for their vote March 7, at the Missouri primary.

“You can make a significant impact on the outcome of this election by your involvement, your enthusiasm, your idealism, your belief that we can have a new politics in this country,” said Bradley.

Bradley quoted Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” He asked the supporters to consider their dreams.

Bradley’s dream focused on those who had missed the “prosperity train” as he called it. Bradley proposed extending health care to those who couldn’t afford it, or were on the verge of losing it.

Bradley also focused on schools. He talked about the many unqualified teachers in schools today, as well as the violence that plagues many schools.

Another issue Bradley touched upon was race relations. This was an interesting topic to bring up in an almost all white, college-age crowd.

At one point Bradley asked, “What is your dream?” A voice cried out, “Bill Bradley for President!”

St. Louisan and music legend Chuck Berry voiced his support for the senator, who seemed pleased to receive Berry’s endorsement.

Bradley’s campaign goals focus on the fulfillment of dreams. Dreams that are appealing–if not always clear–even if Bradley seems to believe so.

“What is your dream? For yourself, for your family, for your country, what is your

dream?” asked Bradley. “If you begin to formulate that, then the purpose of this campaign becomes clear.”

Wrapped up in this talk of dreams, Bradley focused on the rapidly changing modern world.

Bradley pointed out America’s changing international economy and military threats. He noted that immigrants to America now come from Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, not Europe.

These changes offer “tremendous opportunities, if we can handle it well, for enriching our society,” said Bradley. Bradley also briefly touched on the changing nature of technology and its effect on education.

“Fifteen years ago the only people who had ever heard of the internet were in the defense department,” said Bradley. “Now you can’t be a self-respecting politician without your own website. By the way mine is www.billbradley … This is a new world. This is your world. It will increasingly become your world going forward. You’re the ones who are in college; you’re the ones learning new things,” said Bradley. “So what is your dream?”

Bradley appealed to those in attendance to go out and contact others and encourage them to get involved in his dreams, and to help him push the “new politics.”

“The new politics of belief, conviction and honest leveling with the American people about what we have to do to make the world a better place is in,” said Bradley.

Few SLU students were in attendance at the Bradley event, one of whom was sophomore Drew Hall.

“Bradley spoke only briefly. His message was positive and idealistic if vague. He attempted to capture the attention and excitement of St. Louis students but his message was probably most effective to those already convinced,” said Hall.