Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone, the first U.S. senator to publicly endorse former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, stumped for Bradley at Iowa State Tuesday morning, calling him “a man of political and intellectual integrity” and comparing him to Robert Kennedy.

Wellstone’s speech, held in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union in front of a crowd of about 40 people, was oftentimes fiery and centered around Bradley’s views on health care reform as well as his appeal to young voters.

“Even if I don’t agree with him on all the issues, I’ll support who I’ll believe in. Bill has integrity,” Wellstone said.

Wellstone compared Bradley’s campaign to that of Bobby Kennedy in 1968, saying Bradley is a charismatic, idea-oriented candidate who appeals to youth in much the same way Kennedy did before his campaign was cut short by his 1968 assassination.

“I will make a prediction as a political scientist. Bill will have much more support among the young people [than other candidates],” said Wellstone, who taught political science at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990.

Dismissing the idea that youth are apathetic toward issues concerning their communities, Wellstone said he believes the drive for change seen in youth in the past has simply been focused toward a different goal.

“The activism of young people is concentrated on community work and not political work,” he said.

Wellstone also devoted much of his 45-minute speech to the discussion of Bradley’s health care plan.

“I think the health insurance industry has taken universal health care off of the table, and I think Bill is putting it back on the table,” he said.

But for Bradley’s plan to provide health care to all Americans to become a reality, there must be a certain amount of principle involved, Wellstone said.

“I want a president who will put reform at the top of his list. I think Bill Bradley is a genuine reformer,” he said.

Wellstone, who briefly considered a run at the Democratic presidential nomination himself, said dedication to true change was his main reason for endorsing Bradley.

“I’m sure it’s in my soul, and I think it’s in Bill, that we must renew the national vow of providing equal opportunities for everyone,” he said.

Wellstone leveled criticism against the current leader in the race for the nomination, Vice President Al Gore, saying the current administration has not been sensitive to the plight of farmers or of senior citizens who have inadequate medical care.

“Where have you been?” he asked, referring to Gore.

Wellstone also commented on the debate held last Saturday in Des Moines between Bradley and Gore, assuring Bradley supporters that his performance in the face-off was not his best.

“I wish he could have done better, but I think there is much more he has to say,” he said.

Regardless of his preference, Wellstone urged his audience to support who ever secures the Democratic nomination.

“We’ve got to get behind whoever gets the nomination,” he said.