After all the hoopla created as much by the press as the campaign, presumptive GOP nominee George W. Bush settled on the safe choice of Dick Cheney, who headed his search committee, to be his vice president. Why pick a relatively un-charismatic Old Guard Republican who has long been out of politics over so many of the party's rising stars? Though this seems like an uninspired selection, the nature of the primary and the rigidity of the platform left little choice. Cheney was selected to squelch two potential flare-ups that could de-rail Bush's momentum as he heads into Philadelphia: McCain and abortion.
It seems that Bush values loyalty above almost every other quality in a potential veep. McCain has a reputation of not being a team player in the Senate and it's no secret that the men dislike each other. If the Bush campaign were down 15 points, he might be more willing to take a gamble on his old foe. But things are sailing along relatively smoothly right now. Though he doesn't have a large lead, the state by state breakdown looks strong, and there seems no need to rock the boat.
Though Kennedy picked his nemesis LBJ in order to win the presidency, attack advertising is much more personal now. A pick of McCain would have been a huge risk. All Gore would have to do would be to show clips of McCain's primary attack ads and say, "Look even his vice president finds his policies to be risky." Even if this ticket were to win, McCain could end up being a huge headache during the Bush presidency.
If Bush picked a governor, the number one contender would have been Bush's close friend Tom Ridge. He is widely popular in Pennsylvania, a decorated war hero, could lock up electorate rich Pennsylvania and help secure three Pennsylvania Congressional districts for the GOP as well as helping first term Senator Rick Santorum. But ... he's pro-life. The main difference in the campaign thus far is that Bush has been able to solidify his base and then tack toward the center, while Gore is still fighting to unite his base and prevent Nader from flanking him left. If he picked Ridge he would risk having Buchanan become as serious a problem. This would also create days of news stories about the abortion plank of the GOP platform on the eve of the convention, which could turn off moderates to the party.
Because Ridge, the strongest candidate of the governors, was found to be unacceptable, in essence all governors were disqualified. A less qualified pro-lifer would seem like Bush was simply catering to the Religious Right. Keating is a loyal supporter, but wouldn't bring much to the ticket. He hails from a state already in hand while the more popular Ridge who comes from a critically contested state. John Engler's chances floundered he was unable to help Bush's dismal showing in the Michigan primary. Tommy Thompson's chances also faded over the last few years. Christie Todd-Whitmann has the same abortion problem as Ridge, and the recently surfaced pictures of her frisking down a black suspect, ended any outside chance she might have had.
Bush had to select a candidate whose reputation was stronger than both McCain and Ridge. He did not want to make it seem that McCain was discredited because of his lack of loyalty or Ridge removed because of his view on abortion. Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, one of McCain's few allies in the Senate, is seen largely as McCain-lite. Voters would want to know why Bush backed out of taking the real thing. Ex-Senator Danforth seems largely to have been a last minute decoy and brings nothing to the ticket that Cheney doesn't have. Retiring Rep. John Kasich's youthful, photogenic personality, coupled with his reputation as a champion of the balanced budget, made him an attractive complement to Bush's down-home style; but there is no guarantee that he would help deliver his native Ohio. There is also the fear that he could appear to be too juvenile and suffer much the same ridiculed fate as the elder Bush's selection, Dan Quayle.
Bush looked to pick someone with a national reputation to supercede the popular choices of Ridge or McCain. Colin Powell is most mainstream Republicans' dream addition to the ticket, and would have incredible appeal to independent voters. But Powell once again turned down the chance of holding elected office. Bush then looked inward, and found one candidate who meets all the criteria: fierce loyalty to the entire Bush family, vast experience in foreign policy to balance Bush's relative inexperience in the field (or what the Democratic pundits call "gravitas") and a resume that overshadows that of McCain and Ridge. Cheney does not bring with him any critically needed states. Though talk has surfaced about potential veeps helping to sure up particular states, there is no proof that past number twos' have won states for their presidents. Though Dick Cheney isn't the most exciting candidate, his world experience compliments Bush's personal likability. And this choice shows that Bush feels as though he is already far ahead in the popularity contest with Gore.
