RAWFORD, Texas - George W. Bush scoured the backgrounds of possible running mates yesterday and said he's giving equal consideration to men and women.
''I'm taking my time, obviously taking this very seriously,'' Bush told reporters at his central Texas ranch. He added that he hadn't consulted with President Bush and plans to before deciding.
''I talk to my dad about a lot of things. I'd hope to get his input,'' he said.
Bush held a brief news conference with former defense secretary Dick Cheney, who heads Bush's vice presidential search. Cheney said he had brought information about the candidates from a detailed questionnaire that asked, among other things, for financial and health records.
Both men were reticent about the contenders.
''There are no litmus tests. The main tests are, can the person be the president, will the person be loyal to the administration, can the person bring the added value in the Bush administration,'' Bush said. ''All the rest of the criteria, of course, I'll consider everything. And that's what Dick and I are going to start discussing here.''
Asked if any information gathered had disqualified potential candidates, Bush said the only names taken off the list so far have been by the candidates themselves.
One of those who bowed out was Senator Connie Mack of Florida.
''I've gone back with some `how 'bout its,' and it turns out in this particular case the man was very earnest'' about not being considered, Bush said.
When he was asked about the prospects of Governors Frank Keating of Oklahoma and Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, Bush called Keating ''a good fellow'' but said they hadn't talked about the position.
As for Whitman and former GOP presidential contender Elizabeth Dole, Bush said they would get the same consideration as the men on his list.
