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The Veep ponders over his vice presidents

March 20, 2000
Web posted at: 4:05 PM EST (2105 GMT)

By Ann Blackman

(TIME.com) -- Wasting no time, Al Gore has begun the process of choosing a running mate, sources tell TIME. The first two names working their way through the vetting process: North Carolina governor Jim Hunt, 62, and Florida senator Bob Graham, 63, both moderate and strong on education. The third-most-talked-about option, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, 52, has his fate tied in part to gas prices.

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Gore is expected also to consider those who could bring gravitas to the ticket. Strong runners: Fannie Mae chairman Franklin Raines, 51, and former Treasury secretary Bob Rubin, 61. Rubin has said he's not interested, but a Gore strategist says the Gore camp is undeterred: "If Al Gore really wanted him, Rubin would accept." There is even talk of "fusion candidate" Christine Todd Whitman, 53, New Jersey's popular Republican governor. "Thinks like a centrist Democrat," says an administration source.

To raise the profile of lesser-known Democrats and cater to key interest groups, sources say, other names will be floated but are unlikely to make the short list. These include freshman Indiana senator Evan Bayh, 45; California senator Dianne Feinstein, 66; and Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman, 58.

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