Interview: Gore on VP Candidates
W A S H I N G T O N, Aug. 6 -- As his search for a No. 2 winds down, Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore said Friday that gender, religion or length of experience in public office — all issues potential running mates face — would not sway his decision.
Democratic sources involved in the search process confirmed Thursday the vice president is looking at a “short list” of six possible contenders for the slot. They are Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, and House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri. And then there’s one still unknown candidate, whom Gore has described as a “wild card.”
The final decision is promised by next Tuesday.
Throughout the process, Gore has carefully and consistently avoided talking about specific vice presidential candidates, their likelihood of being chosen, or potential issues that may affect their chances.
On Religion, Gender and ExperienceStill, in an interview Friday with ABCNEWS, Gore commented on potentially difficult matters raised by some of the possible running mates.
Asked if he thought America was ready for a woman to hold the office of vice president, Gore responded, “Oh, of course,” but quickly added: “But I’m not going to get into specific individuals, whoever you ask about.” Shaheen is the only woman on Gore’s short list.
Asked if he thought a Jewish candidate would face as much or even more prejudice from some voters than a member of another minority group, Gore noted: “I don’t think those old distinctions and categories matter these days, the way they did in the past.
“I think we’ve grown as a nation,” Gore continued. “I think we’ve grown beyond that kind of attitude. I think that the day is coming when that’ll be completely irrelevant in all of our politics.”
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