Iowa senator meets again with head of Gore VP search team

By John King/CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa met for the second time Tuesday with the man leading Vice President Al Gore's search for a running mate, Democratic sources told CNN.

The liberal Iowan was a key Gore supporter in the primary season, helping the vice president beat back what at least initially was viewed as a potentially strong challenge from former Sen. Bill Bradley in the Iowa caucuses.

Gore is scheduled to come in contact with another senator under consideration, John Kerry of Massachusetts, at a Tuesday evening Democratic National Committee fund-raiser the senator is hosting at his Washington residence.

Harkin, a 60-year-old three-term senator who ran for president himself in 1992 but dropped out early in that race eventually won by Bill Clinton, has been a key congressional ally of the Clinton-Gore administration and is a favorite of organized labor.

Many Democrats not involved in the process were skeptical that Harkin would be considered a top-tier prospect, and speculated he was being considered as a courtesy. But one source familiar with the conversation said the two men had a "spirited and interactive discussion" about the pros and cons of adding Harkin to the ticket.

The meeting was described by a source close to the search process as one of "numerous" Warren Christopher is having with Democrats under consideration, and while praising Harkin said it would be wrong to read too much into the fact that Christopher met with Harkin a second time.

The meeting with the former secretary of state took place at the senator's office in Washington.

MORE STORIES:

Wednesday, July 26, 2000

• Cheney wins cheers from hometown crowd; Gore criticizes 'old guard' GOP ticket
  
• Protesters gear up for Republican convention
  
• Keyes makes it official: He's out of presidential race
  
• McCain introduces bill requiring Web sites to disclose privacy policies
  
• McCain praises Kerry as potential Gore running mate
  
• McCain says Mideast summit's failure shows failed Clinton policy
  
• Clinton marks passage of disabilities act, announces government hiring initiative
  
• California congressman leaves Democrats to join GOP
  
• Iowa senator meets again with head of Gore VP search team
  
• Traficant, a Democrat, considering invitation to attend GOP convention
  
• DNC protesters 'take back' L.A. park
  
• Evolution debate heats up Kansas politics
  
• House passes anti-poverty bill using tax breaks, regulatory relief
  
• Clintons eulogize friend at Arkansas memorial
  
• Republican blasts census methods, demands recounts
  

ARCHIVES