python 2.x and running shell command

[tekion]

All,
some of the servers I have run python 2.2, which is a drag because I
can't use subprocess module.  My options that I know of is popen2
module.  However, it seems it does not have io blocking
capabilities.   So every time run a command I have open and close a
file handle.  I have command that requires interactive interaction. I
want to be be able to perform following action:
fout, fin = popen2.open2(cmd) #open up interactive session
fin.write(cmd2);
block (input)
fout.readline()
block output
fin.write(cmd2)
and so on...

is this possible with popen2 or do I have to use pexpect for the job?
Thanks.