But I'm not sure even one of those choices would do much to change the way we view Gore. Of all the names being bandied about, the most appealing to me is Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine. While not the most charismatic of politicians, Mitchell, a former federal judge, has burnished his credentials with his work last year to help bring peace to Northern Ireland. As a vice president himself, Gore needs, at the very least, to show that he takes the position seriously. Picking Mitchell would do just that.
Political scientists say that few votes are decided on the basis of the number twos.
It's hard to see how Gore's decision could prevent that rule from applying this year. Whoever he picks doesn't figure to give him much help. He'll win or lose the presidency on his own. Larry Eichel's column appears on Wednesdays and Fridays.