Bush Formally Announces Cheney As Running Mate

— -- George W. Bush has announced that his father’s formerDefense Secretary, Richard Cheney, will be his runningmate on the GOP ticket.

By Carter M. Yang

ABCNEWS.comJuly 25

—

Former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney has joined presidential candidate George W. Bush on the Republican ticket.

The Texas governor formally named Cheney as his vice presidential running mate at a campaign rally at the University of Texas in Austin this afternoon.

“I believe you’re looking at the next vice president of the United States,” Bush told an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, as he stood side-by-side with the former Cabinet secretary. “I’m proud to announce that Dick Cheney, a man of great integrity, sound judgment and experience is my choice to be the next vice president of the United States.”

Cheney, a former congressman, White House chief of staff and secretary of defense, had been heading-up Bush’s search for running mate.

“Gradually, I realized the person that was best qualified to be the vice presidential nominee was working by my side,” Bush explained.

“I’m honored and proud to join your team,” Cheney told the governor, “and I enthusiastically accept the challenge.”

“Big changes are coming to Washington,” he added, “and I want to be a part of them.”

Steps to the Ticket

When Cheney was tapped in April to lead Bush’s vice-presidential search team, the move was thought to lessen the likelihood that he would be chosen to fill the slot.

“When Governor Bush asked me to head-up the search team,” Cheney said this afternoon, “I honestly did not expect that I would be standing here today.”

Bush revealed today that Cheney initially refused to be considered as a prospective vice presidential candidate. In the days leading up to today’s announcement, however, the Bush camp took several notable steps to clear the way for Cheney to join the governor on the ticket.