yriad political assessments often mask what should be the one overriding concern in the choice of a vice presidential candidate. But Texas Governor George W. Bush had it right when he told an audience in Austin yesterday that he had chosen Richard Cheney ''because he is fully capable of being president of the United States.''
On paper, Bush could hardly be more on target. Starting at an early age, Cheney compiled a record in the Nixon administration, as chief of staff to President Ford, in Congress for 10 years, and as secretary of defense for four years under President Bush that rivals the qualifications of Lyndon Johnson in 1960 and Bush himself in 1980.
But Cheney will have to show evidence of one other quality essential to national leadership: the ability to command public confidence.
Cheney was most visible to the nation as Pentagon chief during the Gulf War. In helping to bring together an impressive international coalition and to carry out the military strategy effectively and with few US casualties, Cheney received praise that was well deserved. There remains an undercurrent of those who believe it was a grave mistake to leave Saddam Hussein in charge in Iraq. Governor Bush, when asked this year to second-guess the decision, told questioners to ask his father. Now, it will be legitimate to ask his running mate.
Because of his long resume, Cheney is often portrayed as an elder statesman in the Republican Party. But in truth he is only five years older than Bush and similar to him in many ways - a Texan (until Cheney registered back in Wyoming last week) with deep connections to the oil industry and a very conservative political record.
Of the political considerations, two stand out. Despite his close connection to President Bush, Cheney points up a major difference in that he is a weightier choice for vice president than Dan Quayle. Also, while Governor Bush's somewhat misspent youth is occasionally questioned, he at least graduated from Yale, while Cheney flunked out.
Now, Cheney's sober personality may inspire public confidence. This candidacy will give him the chance.
