Moynihan to pledge his support for Bradley

IN A MOVE that could alter the dynamics of the Democratic presidential race, the retiring Senator for New York, Daniel Pat Moynihan, will announce today that he is supporting Bill Bradley to be the party's nominee against Vice-President Al Gore.

Mr Moynihan's preference has been mooted for several weeks, but the timing of his formal endorsement, on the eve of the Democratic National Committee's annual gathering in Washington, is calculated to bring maximum publicity for Mr Bradley and inflict maximum damage on the Gore campaign.

The endorsement comes at a delicate stage in the campaigns of both aspiring Democratic candidates. Opinion polls show Mr Bradley drawing close, or even, with Mr Gore in the key primary states of New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.