That bill, which never became law, would have forbidden the death penalty in cases where it could be shown that there was a racially identifiable pattern of death sentences that could not be explained by any other factors. Indeed, in a spring speech on race relations, one of the first substantive addresses of his campaign, Bradley talked extensively about the problems of racial profiling, not from the point of view of the police, but from the point of view of those who are profiled. If you're black, you know that being within the radar of white fear and suspicion can be dangerous. . . . The chance is great that at sometime a young African-American who is driving a car will be stopped by the police, usually on the road at night. That way the police will hopefully see your innocence and let you go unscathed both in body and record.
Every black mother dreads the call from the police department in the middle of the night.
The Senate adopted by a 74-25 vote an amendment to the crime bill that would allow the death penalty for major drug traffickers. The Senate rejected by a 26-73 vote Wednesday an amendment to the crime bill that would have substituted life in prison without parole for the death penalty as punishment for a variety of crimes. Yet, as Mr. Biden pointed out, some of the fiercest opponents of Mr. Carnes are supporters of the death penalty, including Mr. Biden and Senator Bill Bradley, a New Jersey Democrat. On a number of questions, Bradley gave crisp, clear answers. He's for the death penalty, against the F-22 fighter, for the North American free trade zone despite ardent union opposition.