Last Thursday, George W. Bush sent a semi-public letter to 450 Republican leaders around the country, the ostensible purpose of which was to solicit advice about a running mate. But it turns out Bush already knows for sure whom he'd most like to choose: Colin Powell. Trouble is, Bush also knows for sure -- or thinks he does -- that Powell won't cooperate. The two men are scheduled to meet this week. Bush probably won't twist Powell's arm too hard.
Last week, speaking privately to a group of Catholic Republicans in the Texas governor's mansion, Bush said he thought a Bush-Powell ticket would win 60 percent of the vote and change the face of American politics. Bush also said he understands that Powell's oft-repeated refusal to be considered is sincere and immutable.
Interestingly, Bush told these Catholics that he was well aware of Powell's pro-choice views on abortion, but would pick him nevertheless -- if he could. More interesting still, the governor's audience raised no objection to this news, even though one person in attendance had earlier advised Bush that any veep choice who wasn't pro-life would spark protests from the nation's Catholic bishops.
Participants in last week's meeting recommended two other possible vice presidential picks to Bush, both of them pro-life Catholics: Senator Connie Mack of Florida and Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma. Of Mack, at least, Bush is reported to have said "good man." Unfortunately, Mack has been almost as insistent as Powell that he doesn't want to be tapped. What about John Kasich, chairman of the House Budget Committee? Bush asked his Catholic friends whether it was true that Kasich had left their church. Yes, they replied, it was -- and, yes, that might be a problem for Catholic voters.
It's all so complicated, this religion business. But not, apparently, for Vice President Al Gore. Before he said good-bye last week, Bush told his visitors that he had been seated near Gore at the late Cardinal O'Connor's funeral in New York. He had "passed the peace" to Gore, Bush remembered -- this a traditional Christian greeting and transfer of good wishes. But, Bush went on, Gore hadn't seemed to "receive it."