Republican Convention: How Bush Decided

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Though Cheney was now the certain choice, Bush went ahead with the three- hour July 18 meeting in Chicago with Danforth. Cheney excused himself after an hour and a half, leaving the two men to discuss their faith and their governing philosophies. Danforth's wife even quizzed the candidate about his beliefs. After the meeting was over, Danforth told Cheney he would serve if asked. But Bush never asked. The next morning, he called Cheney and formally offered him the spot.

After an awkward launch, the Bush-Cheney ticket was showing signs of what former President Bush used to call "the Big Mo." On Friday, the two men stormed into Arkansas and Missouri, states Clinton and Gore won twice, and were met with big, boisterous crowds. Campaign advisers were crowing over polls showing Bush's lead over Gore expanding, and it was clear that among Republicans, at least--for whom the memory of the Bush years burns brightest--the new candidate was a hit. "Mercy," said Cheney, a reluctant campaigner who seemed surprised by the crowd's ecstatic reaction. All week Bush had been talking about how he picked Cheney not because the taciturn insider would help win the election but because he would make a good partner in the White House. On the eve of the Republican Convention, it seemed possible that Cheney could help Bush do both.

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