Veepstakes 2000

The lists are long, the speculation rampant and the outcome anyone's guess.

Yes, we're already talking about Al Gore's and George W. Bush's potential picks for vice president.

Now that Gore and Bush have sewn up the Democratic and Republican nominations, the veepstakes is now the only game in Campaign 2000's race for the White House. Suspense will likely last into the summer, since presidential candidates tend not to reveal their choices until around party convention time.

So who might be Gore's possible running mates?

Bill Bradley. A unity ticket of Democratic primary rivals? Well, the former New Jersey senator never won a contest. Besides, he said he isn't interested in the number two job.

Diane Feinstein. California's Senator could seal her state for Gore and make history where Geraldine Ferraro failed. But, shades of Ferraro, her husband's business dealings are under an ethical cloud. And she's up for reelection this fall. Gray Davis - the Golden State's Catholic governor - said last week he wouldn't accept the spot.

Bob Graham. Florida's Senator could let Gore to challenge Bush on his turf, since brother Jeb is the Sunshine State's governor. Gore celebrated his Southern Tuesday sweep in Florida, with Graham at his side. Another Southern option: North Carolina's popular governor, Jim Hunt.

Bill Richardson. Gore could tap the Energy Secretary and former New Mexico Congressman to appeal to Hispanic voters, thwarting any Bush inroads there. Problem is, the more gas prices are high and stay high, the more Richardson could be an easy target for the blame. And the China spy scandals at Energy's nuclear labs could be another pitfall.

Robert Rubin. It's still the economy, stupid. The former Treasury Secretary - now back in the financial world - could bolster Gore on the economic boom. But Rubin's from the Northeast - already Gore country. He might not want the job, either. And what if there's a downturn?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. A woman and a Kennedy, but also Maryland's Lieutenant Governor - not an office known in politics to be a springboard to a national ticket.

Joseph Lieberman. For a Clinton cleansing, Connecticut's Senator could be ideal. Lieberman harshly condemned the president during the Lewinsky scandal. Downside: he too is from the Northeast. That's the same problem with George Mitchell, the esteemed Northern Ireland negotiator and former Senate Majority Leader.

Evan Bayh. Bush and Gore will slug it out in the Rust Belt, so why not Indiana's U.S. Senator? Trouble is, Indiana has few electoral votes. And like Gore, Bayh is the son of a Senator.

And who might be possible running mates for Bush?

John McCain. The Straight Talk Express could only boost the Bush bandwagon, but the Arizona Senator said he doesn't want the job. As a backup, Bush could pick a McCain Senate ally: Tennessee's Fred Thompson, a campaig finance bulldog - or Nebraska's Chuck Hagel, another outspoken Vietnam War hero.

Colin Powell. The retired general would move Bush to the center, but maybe too much for some conservatives. And as before, this popular, moderate African-American with impressive military and foreign policy credentials is probably not available.

Elizabeth Dole. She's the frontrunner for a female GOP running mate: popular, conservative without hard edges, and has Federal experience Bush lacks. Dole stumped loyally for Bush after her White House bid tanked, but her lackluster try might have hurt her chances.

Tom Ridge. A friend of Bush, Pennsylvania's governor is a decorated Vietnam vet, a Catholic from a huge swing state who's pro-abortion rights. With Ridge, Bush could move to the center and exorcise the ghost of Bob Jones. And the GOP National Convention is in his state. But would conservative true believers approve?

Christine Todd Whitman. New Jersey's governor could provide geographic and gender balance. But Whitman's a Republican blue blood. Despite his Texas twang, Bush might want to avoid a Preppie Ticket. And like Ridge, she favors abortion rights - anathema to the right.

John Kasich. Ohio's young, energetic Congressman could aid Bush in that Rust Belt battleground state. But the House Budget Committee chairman is not well known nationally. Democrats would try to link him with Newt Gingrich. Another option: Buckeye State U.S. Senator George Voinovich.

J.C. Watts. Oklahoma's black Congressman is conservative, articulate, and has a positive image. But Watts comes from a state that's Bush's next-door neighbor and offers few electoral votes.

Republicans hold their national convention in Philadelphia from July 31 until August 3. Democrats gather for theirs in Los Angeles from August 14 to 17.