here is no short list, or even a long one - yet.
But multiple sources close to Vice President Al Gore say Senator John F. Kerry will be a serious contender in the running-mate sweepstakes.
''He has a lot of appealing qualities, and a sense of being seasoned personally and politically that would be attractive in a potential running mate,'' said Michael J. Whouley, a senior adviser to Gore who previously worked for Kerry in Massachusetts during the early 1980s.
''Kerry is definitely one of those half-dozen or dozen people you have to put in the mix,'' said one Democratic official involved with the Gore campaign. ''He brings a lot to the table.''
Whouley and other sources all explain Kerry's appeal by citing his valorous military service, his 1996 triumph over former Governor William F. Weld, and his early and active endorsement of the vice president. He was also considered a loyal number two when he served as lieutenant governor under Michael S. Dukakis.
After deciding not to run for president, Kerry brought his political consultants - John Marttila and Natalie Wigotsky - to the White House to advise Gore. He also campaigned for Gore in New Hampshire, Iowa, and New York, speaking to newspaper editorial boards and knocking on doors.
''Gore is the type of person who really appreciates loyalty and appreciates someone who not only endorses, but rolls up their sleeves and backs up that endorsement with hard work,'' said another source close to the campaign.
However, Kerry declined to say yesterday whether he would accept an offer to be Gore's running mate.
''At this stage of the game, it's both premature and hypothetical,'' he said in an interview. ''I'm proud and flattered to be considered.''
When told that one of his colleagues, Florida Senator Bob Graham, had said he would be honored to serve if called upon, Kerry continued to demur.
''It's a very personal kind of thing between you and the nominee,'' he said. ''I think the nominee ought to be the first to know.''
While Kerry has been concentrating on Senate business these days, he's being promoted for a spot on the ticket by Al From, the president of the Democratic Leadership Council, a group that tries to steer the party to the center.
''Kerry is one of the people on every list that I've heard about,'' said From, who frequently mentions Kerry to reporters.
From praises the senator for taking a visible role on education, an asset, he says, in a running mate. In speeches, Kerry has urged more flexibility from teachers' unions and others in overhauling education. With the presumptive Republican nominee George W. Bush trying to claim the education front and move to the center in the general election, From said, that makes Kerry an even better choice.
''Kerry has shown the ability to beat a good strong Republican who's tried to run to the center,'' he said.
One drawback to a Kerry selection, however, is that Massachusetts has a Republican governor who would appoint Kerry's successor. Kerry is up for reelection in 2002.
The Democratic official close to the Gore campaign said he expected the vice president to look for someone who will reinforce Gore's strengths in the same way Gore underscored Bill Clinton's in 1992.
''He's someone who's proven himself to be a very adept campaigner with the deconstruction of Bill Weld,'' the official said, also pointing to Kerry's performance in their numerous debates.
When contacted, campaign officials insisted that they have not begun to move forward with picking a running mate.
''Al Gore has one overriding principle that he'll use in moving forward in this process,'' said Chris Lehane, Gore's press secretary. ''That's finding the person who could take over and handle the job of the presidency if called upon.''
