Columnist John Katsilometes: Bill Bradley politically apathetic

Monday, March 6, 2000 | 9:06 a.m.

John Katsilometes is the Sun assistant features editor. His column appears Mondays. Reach him at kats@vegas.com or 259-2327.

Bill Bradley hasn't yet determined his favorite presidential candidate.

"I'm undecided," Bill Bradley says.

He's not even planning on voting.

"Nope," Bill Bradley says. "I'm not involved in the process."

Should we then consider him an outsider? A scattershot, would-be reformer a la Ross Perot, Jesse Ventura and Donald Trump? Or is he predominantly a man of the people with an off-kilter personality and spiritual governing philosophy -- a Jerry Brown or Tom Hayden, maybe?

"I'm neither," Bill Bradley says. "I believe in what most people believe in."

Bill Bradley is honest. Bill Bradley is a man of simple words and deceptive intellect. Bill Bradley is stoic, thoughtful and hard-working. Bill Bradley is not always a provocative interview, though he can uncork brief bursts of wit and insight.

But Bill Bradley is unconcerned with his media image.

"I'm not big on this kind of thing," Bill Bradley says. "I have other things to worry about."

To clarify: This is not Bill Bradley, the flat-lining presidential candidate, former Democratic senator from New Jersey and onetime basketball star with the New York Knicks. This is not the Bill Bradley who has recited one memorable line, during the Democratic Convention in the Omni in Atlanta years ago: "This is the first time I've ever performed here wearing long pants."

No, this Bill Bradley is a Las Vegas construction worker.

Bill Bradley is 34, married with four children and a native Nevadan. He works for a major Strip hotel -- the one with the vintage car collection and the owner with a well-reported curiosity about Nazi memorabilia.

Bill Bradley works long hours, waking up when it's dark and early. He's never been encumbered by his staid yet famous name.

"It comes and goes," Bill Bradley says. "He wasn't very famous until he ran for president. Maybe a couple of years ago was when people started noticing. But in my line of work, not many people notice or care. Not many people even ask what my name is."

Oh, there's the occasional remark when passing a check: "Shouldn't you be in New Hampshire right now?" or "You should just pitch it in and go for vice president."

However, for Bill Bradley those moments are sparse. He says it's probably because Bill Bradley has little name recognition despite spending nearly his entire adult life in the public eye.

"It doesn't register," Bill Bradley says. "I know he played (in the NBA), but that was before my time. I saw one poll that said 40 percent of registered voters didn't even know he played."

Bill Bradley is no Michael Jordan.

Bill Bradley is aware of the possibility that Bill Bradley could wind up on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore. The talking heads (I miss that band) on CNN are noticing a deft dalliance between the two.

But it matters not to Bill Bradley.

"Not much will change for me no matter what happens," Bill Bradley says. "Maybe he'll make it. But either way, I'll go on with my life and no one will bother me."

Same for Bill Bradley.