Al Gore isn't saying much about whom he will pick as his vice presidential running mate, but he has decided when he will reveal his choice: Tuesday, Aug. 8, six days before the start of the Democratic convention, a Democratic source said.
Gore campaign officials had considered announcing their vice presidential pick as early as next Friday, hoping to cut into the public relations glow for George W. Bush that may follow the Republican convention.
The decision to wait until Aug. 8 means they are tracking precisely the timing of Bush's announcement on Tuesday - six days before his convention opens - that former defense secretary Dick Cheney would be his running mate.
As Gore's decision nears, rumors have continued to swirl about Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Florida Senator Bob Graham, and other possible finalists. Though Kerry is clearly among those being considered, Gore aides dismiss any rumor of a Gore ''short list'' as unfounded speculation.
Gore yesterday began a brief family vacation on a private island off the coast of North Carolina. His vacation began as Republicans gathered in Philadelphia for their nominating convention. A new USA Today/CNN Gallup poll showed Gore trailing Republican presidential candidate Bush by as many as 11 percentage points. Other recent polls generally show the race to be close.
