from:

Let's check into the vice-presidential chess match

By Frank Pellegrini

(TIME.com) -- Pawn to king's rook 4: "I'm not telling you," he told reporters in Pittsburgh clamoring to hear about Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge's chances. Bush, pointing to his dad's 1992 leak-fest, is keeping the lid on until he announces. With the GOP convention kicking off first, on July 31, George W. is playing with the white pieces and keeping mum.

RELATED Washington Post Gephardt Weighed as Gore Running Mate Poll Gore or Bush? Newsfile Campaign 2000

Pawn to queen's bishop 4: Staffers tell the Washington Post that Dick Gephardt is in the running to be running mate. Doubtful, with House Dems moaning and Bushies salivating at an unoccupied center, but the suspense perks up labor leaders everywhere until a real choice gets made. Interesting.

Pawn to queen's knight 3: Bush staffers tell party leaders to expect a 10-point post-convention "bounce" in the polls for the neglected Gore, with only a five-point bounce for their guy coming out of Philly. Nice expectations management from the front-runner.

Pawn to queen's rook 4: Democratic party officials float a new Gore tactic to USA Today and the New York Times, a move in itself. The scenarios:

Announce his veep choice right on the heels of the GOP convention, thereby siphoning off media coverage from the newly anointed Bush ticket. This has the advantage of deflating some of the Bush "bounce," but couldn't be good for Gore's own convention 10 days later, which would then be even more excitement-challenged than it is already. Good-bye 10-point bounce -- or is that just what Bush wants him to think?

Of course, until Bush makes his choice. Which is why Bush ain't talking.

Bush. Tough to have the black pieces in a game like this. Especially when the other guy is making all the right moves.

Copyright © 2000 Time Inc.

Friday, July 14, 2000

• Critics take aim at Bush's record in Texas
  
• Contractor says he didn't know of production deadline for White House e-mails
  
• Hastert accuses Clinton administration of misleading Congress on gas prices
  
• Sources: Gore campaign and Gephardt in "serious" running mate talks
  
• Senate passage of estate tax repeal sets stage for election-year showdown
  
• No China trade vote without weapons compromise, Lott aides say
  
• Agent: Starr aide told of straw indictment vote on Clinton
  
• Families quiet, but anniversary revives Kennedy story
  
• Appeals court discloses secret dispute in Haley Barbour probe
  
• Bill Press: Bush's minority outreach rings hollow
  
• Big Tobacco ordered to pay $145 billion in punitive damages
  
• Jury tells judge government not liable for Waco deaths
  
• Let's check into the vice-presidential chess match
  
• Bradley takes one for the team
  
• For one who took the anthrax shot, the Pentagon disappoints
  
• Is 'Brother' Al bending over blackward?
  
• latimes.com: Reform party OKs audit of Buchanan petitions
  
• Gore gets a reminder from town hall meeting about the threat of Nader
  
• Bush says he wants compatibility and presidential ability in VP nominee
  
• McCain to let go of convention delegates, but not spotlight
  
• House passes foreign aid bill
  

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