Election 2000: Bush to Announce Running Mate by Next Week
FRANK SESNO, CNN ANCHOR: But we begin with some political intrigue just nine days before the Republican convention in Philadelphia. Though they were often bitter rivals during the primaries, Republican sources tell CNN that John McCain would be willing to serve as George Bush's running mate if asked. The sources say McCain told Pennsylvania's governor, Tom Ridge, that if Bush asked him to serve he would, though, he "prefer not to." But this morning, the Arizona senator says he feels no different now than he did when he last met with Bush back in May.</s>SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: As far as I'm concerned, nothing has changed since my conversation with Governor Bush in Pittsburgh. I understand the frenzy associated with this particular time and the decision making process. But as far as I'm concerned, nothing has changed since my conversation with Governor Bush at Pittsburgh.</s>SESNO: What's it all about? we turn to our political analyst Bill Schneider. Bill, what has changed? and we heard John McCain say nothing's changed, but something has, at least a clock.</s>WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: I think McCain's made some trouble here, possibly for himself and certainly for Governor Bush. Because this is supposed to be Bush's moment when he's making up his mind. And McCain is saying, if he really begs me, I would be willing to consider it. Which kind of puts Bush on the spot. Because there are a lot of Republicans, particularly in the House, who are telling Bush, please put McCain on the ticket. Because that way we'll be sure to win and then we'll keep our majority in the House. They're trying to force a marriage.</s>SESNO: This kind of pairing, this marriage, was considered so unlikely even by top Republicans, what would change the dynamic?</s>SCHNEIDER: Yes, the only way this is likely to happen is if Bush is convinced that the only way he can win is with McCain on the ticket. Now, then, McCain would get him elected and nobody one else could. But I don't think he's figuring that right now and I don't think there's a reason he should figure that.</s>SESNO: So who else?</s>SCHNEIDER: Oh, Chuck Hagel is a live possibility.</s>SESNO: Senator from Nebraska.</s>SCHNEIDER: Senator from Nebraska, not an important state, it's the most Republican state in the country. But he has a lot of international experience, built an international business. He's a McCain supporter, something of a maverick in the Senate who has some of McCain's appeal, without the McCain headaches.</s>SESNO: And he authored a campaign finance effort at compromise.</s>SCHNEIDER: That's right.</s>SESNO: Clean up some the system, who else?</s>SCHNEIDER: Oh, well, there are lots of other possibilities. Tom Ridge was the one who brokered this conversation between Bush and McCain. But he's likely to have done that because he believes that he's no longer in the running. George Pataki's a possibility, John Kasich, Elizabeth Dole, they're all around.</s>SESNO: Wouldn't John McCain, though, trigger amazing public excitement if you take the primary season as some kind of barometer?</s>SCHNEIDER: No question that John McCain has been the sensation of this election. But in a way, he would overshadow Governor Bush. I mean, John McCain is the one who really gets people excited, particularly outside the Republican Party and some Republicans. But does Governor Bush really need that? does he need to be kind of overshadowed by his vice president? Because in the end, people vote for president in this country, not for vice president.</s>SESNO: Bill, a lot of these contenders, these vice presidential contenders have been told to hand over their phone numbers, where they'll be over the weekend, secure phone lines. What is likely to be going on inside that Bush campaign right now? and what do you hear about timing?</s>SCHNEIDER: I think they're under pressure to make a decision pretty soon. Because the process is just about to get out of control. Governor Bush says he's going to make up his mind by Sunday and then he'll make an announcement probably in the middle of the week. He may not be able to hold on that long. Because once he starts contacting people and word gets out, they can't control the story anymore. I'd say suspect something, maybe early next week.</s>SESNO: Bill Schneider, thanks.