Bush Officially Chooses Cheney As His Running Mate

— -- GOP presidential candidate George W. Bush has selected former Defense Secretary Richard Cheney as his running mate, a top Republican source tells ABCNEWS.

ABCNEWS.comJuly 24

— Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush plans to ask former

Defense Secretary Richard Cheney to be his running mate, ABCNEWS has learned.

Top Republican sources say the Texas governor will call Cheney later today to offer him the coveted post. Bush is expected to formally announce his choice at a news conference Tuesday in Austin, Texas.

The former congressman and Cabinet secretary was tapped in April to lead Bush’s vice-presidential selection process, a move that was initially thought to lessen the odds that he would be chosen to fill the slot.

But Cheney and the Bush camp recently took several key steps to clear the way for Cheney to join the governor on the Republican ticket.

On Thursday, Cheney warned the board of Halliburton Co., a Texas-based engineering and construction firm, that he would need to step down as chief executive officer if tapped to run for vice president. Last month, Cheney sold half of his interest in the company’s stock.

On Friday, Cheney traveled from Texas to Wyoming, where he served as a congressman for 10 years, to personally change his voter registration in order to remove a possible constitutional barrier to a Bush-Cheney ticket. It is not clear whether a president and vice vice president can be registered to vote in the same state.

The Bush camp also took steps to evaluate Cheney’s health, a potential area of concern given that he has suffered three heart attacks and, in 1988, underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

Cheney was given a medical exam last week and Dr. Denton A. Cooley, a prominent Houston cardiologist and a Bush family friend, spoke to Cheney’s physician in Washington, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, and subsequently concluded that Cheney was fit to run and serve.

Vice-Presidential Credentials

Cheney, 59, served as White House chief of staff under President Ford and secretary of defense under President Bush, the Texas governor’s father.

Bush has said that the two most important qualities for a vice-presidential candidate are personal loyalty and an ability to serve as president. A highly respected party elder with vast experience in both the executive and legislative branches, Cheney fits the bill on both counts. He also brings some much-needed defense and foreign policy expertise to the ticket.

ABCNEWS has learned that former President Bush had strongly urged the selection of Cheney. The senior Bush was also instrumental in tapping Cheney to lead his son’s search for a running mate.

“Dick Cheney has been a preeminent public servant of our time and served his country very well,” said Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, who had been considered a Republican vice presidential contender himself. “I’m sure he’ll do a terrific job.”

Former Missouri Sen. John Danforth, who had joined Cheney on the final short list of prospective candidates, called him a “great choice.”

One potential drawback to Cheney’s candidacy is that he does not hail from a key battleground state. Wyoming, with its three electoral votes, is unlikely to play a significant role in the general election.

The Bush campaign refused to confirm that Cheney had indeed been chosen.

“Nothing can be considered final until Governor Bush places a phone call,” Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes told reporters outside the governor’s mansion in Austin this afternoon, “and that has not occurred.”

“No news today,” said Bush. “I will let you know soon.”

Cheney, who shuttled back and forth between his home and office in Dallas, also refused comment.

The Secret Service told ABCNEWS that it has a team ready to begin protective duties for Bush’s running mate as soon as the public announcement is made. The agency said, however, that it had not been notified that Cheney has been selected.

After Bush officially introduces Cheney as his choice for the vice presidential nomination on Tuesday, the two candidates will work to build enthusiasm for the full ticket in advance of the Republican National Convention, which is set to begin in Philadelphia next Monday.