Bush Tabs Cheney as VP

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush selected former<br>Defense Secretary Dick Cheney to be his Republican presidential<br>running mate and plans to offer him the job Monday night, said a<br>highly

Monday, July 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush selected former
Defense Secretary Dick Cheney to be his Republican presidential
running mate and plans to offer him the job Monday night, said a
highly place GOP source. Cheney has told associates he would accept it.

"It's done," said a senior GOP official familiar with the deliberations. Cheney is a veteran Washington insider and Bush family ally who would bring the ticket a wealth of foreign policy experience and stature -- traits that Bush, a two-term Texas governor, lacks himself.

He had been the leading candidate since Friday, and was the only prospect under serious consideration after Bush emerged from seclusion from a weekend at his Texas ranch. Former Missouri Sen. John Danforth had remained a possibility, but his prospects faded throughout the weekend as Bush mulled his options.

Campaign officials stressed that the decision was not final until Bush offers the job and Cheney accepts.

Bush had hoped to keep his selection a secret until Tuesday's announcement. "No news today . No news today. No news today," Bush told reporters jostling for word of his choice outside the governor's mansion Monday afternoon. "I will let you know soon."

With a short list of Cheney and Danforth, Bush seemed determined to pick a rock-solid conservative with Washington experience who poses little or no political risk.

Related Links: E-The People