Hail to the chief

Police Chief C.O. "BAMF" Bradford is back at work amid handsprings and huzzahs from supporters, and he gave them a good demonstration of his political skills:

Asked whether the ordeal caused him to fear for people wrongly charged and without his resources, the chief said, "Clearly, part of the system failed me, but eventually, the system worked."

[...]

"I don't know why it was pushed forward," Bradford said of the perjury case against him. "It couldn't have been the evidence they were looking at."

Nevertheless, he said, "I expect (Harris County District Attorney) Chuck Rosenthal and myself to work together professionally" in the future.

Such magnaminity. I'm getting goosebumps.

But seriously, is he a candidate for mayor as some have speculated?

As for rumors that he may run for mayor, Bradford asked the large crowd of well-wishers in his conference room, "What do you think of that?" and received a round of applause.

"I have not made that decision," he said. "There are people out there who want me to, people who believe this ordeal has put a burning fire in my belly.

"What I'm doing right now is wearing the badge of the Houston police chief," he said. "I will make that decision later."

Tease. I will say that he better make up his mind soon, before all of the downtown power brokers settle on someone else. According to John Williams, they're leaning towards Orlando Sanchez, unless Ned Holmes decides to get into the race. Not that there aren't other avenues of support, but the you-snooze-you-lose risk is high when there are this many candidates sniffing around. Get in or get out of the way, Chief.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on February 03, 2003 to K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | TrackBack