USTIN, Texas - George W. Bush put his choice for secretary of state on public display yesterday, even though he remains tentative about considering himself president-elect and Colin L. Powell said he had yet to be offered the nation's top diplomatic post.
The slightly tentative feel about Powell's appearance at Bush's central Texas ranch highlighted that the meeting was perhaps as much about image-making as about substance, an attempt to overshadow Democrat Al Gore as the vice president continues with his own, less-public transition efforts in Washington.
Gore spent most of yesterday on the White House grounds, holding a transition meeting in the Old Executive Building with running mate Joseph I. Lieberman before the pair walked across Executive Drive to the West Wing.
Aides said that, like his discrete search for a running mate that resulted in Lieberman's surprise pick, Gore is taking time from overseeing his election challenge to size up potential members of an administration.
He has had three meetings with Roy Neel, who's heading the effort, but beyond that, Gore is not making a show of it, the aides said.
''He's been really clear about not wanting to talk about or even have any of us characterize the process right now,'' said one top-level Gore aide, speaking from a White House office. ''It's by design. It's helping him do this in a fair and deliberate way. He's not a big fan of having these things out there, especially in this climate.''
As the vice president himself said Tuesday, ''I don't think it's right for me to be offering people jobs.''
As both sides head to the US Supreme Court to argue over Bush's request to throw out manual ballot recounts in Florida's disputed election, the outlines of a potential Gore administration are coming into view.
Top Democratic operatives say Gore would probably choose Labor Secretary Alexis Herman as White House chief of staff, although Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo also is said to be under consideration for the post.
Former commerce secretary William Daley, who headed Gore's campaign, could move into the staff chief's post if he wanted it, but he has made clear his preference to return to his native Chicago.
Gore's choice for secretary of state would probably be United Nations Ambassador Richard Holbrooke or former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, sources suggest. Possible choices for defense secretary are outgoing Nebraska senator Bob Kerrey, as well as retired Joint Chiefs chairman John Shalikashvili, although Gore could keep the current officeholder, Republican William S. Cohen, for partisan balance.
Lawrence Summers would probably remain as treasury secretary, an idea given weight Tuesday when Gore met publicly with him at the vice president's residence.
Eric Holder, the number two official at the Justice Department, is seen as likely to be elevated to attorney general, although Mayor Dennis Archer of Detroit also is being considered. Gore is said to like Governor Gary Locke of Washington and might appoint him interior secretary, while a pick for agriculture secretary could be US Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa.
Like Bush, Gore faces a problem with selecting members of Congress for Cabinet positions, since both chambers are nearly evenly divided and party control is at stake.
Dan Glickman, who currently serves as agriculture secretary, would probably become transportation secretary, while former Food and Drug Administration head David Kessler might well be asked to leave his post as dean of Yale Medical School to take over the FDA's parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.
Aides said the choices for labor and housing secretaries remain unclear, although Cuomo may retain the latter post.
For his part, Bush broke the silence he has maintained since he claimed the presidency Sunday night at a joint appearance yesterday with Powell, running mate Dick Cheney, and their wives.
Speaking at the edge of a livestock fence, Bush said: ''We're going to spend the afternoon talking about our transition and, in particular, we're going to talk about national security matters and foreign policy matters. No better person to talk about that with than Colin Powell. Got a great deal of experience. Dick and I trust his judgment.''
Powell prompted laughter by congratulating Bush on his victory, but he said he had yet to be offered a job. Republican operatives close to the Bush team said an offer probably was extended later in the afternoon, with an announcement likely Wednesday in Austin. At that time, Bush is expected to name Stanford University scholar Condoleezza Rice as his choice for national security adviser.
Bush shot down a question about whether efforts by the Republican-led Florida Legislature, and his brother, Governor Jeb Bush, to appoint an alternate slate of presidential electors amounted to a partisan power play.
''You know, here's my view: I've won three counts, and I think it's time to get some finality to the process,'' the Texas governor said. ''The reason why we're moving forward with our discussions and the transition is because when the counting finally stops, we want to be prepared to lead this nation. That's what we were elected to do.''
Ari Fleischer, Bush's transition spokesman, denied that the governor was trying to create an aura of inevitability by holding his highly public meeting with Powell.
''I think what the governor is doing I would call an aura of responsibility,'' Fleischer said. ''A third of the transition has gone by, and we can't get it back.''
Bush was scheduled to return to Austin tonight for a Christmas party, before returning to his ranch for the weekend. On Saturday he will host a visit by Senate majority leader Trent Lott and House Speaker Dennis Hastert to discuss legislative priorities.
