ormer secretary of state Warren Christopher met privately with US Senator John F. Kerry last week as part of the search process for Vice President Al Gore's running mate.
Christopher, who is leading the search, visited Kerry in his Senate office, a source said. He has also met with Illinois Senator Richard Durbin in his Capitol Hill office. Christopher would not comment yesterday on the substance of his meeting with Massachusetts' junior senator.
''I can't confirm or deny anything,'' Kerry said yesterday. ''I have no comment on the process at all.''
Chris Lehane, a spokesman for the Gore campaign, said it was premature to read anything into the meeting. ''It's early in the process,'' he said. ''There's not a long list nor is there a short list.''
Several Gore advisers have been touting Kerry as a possible vice presidential candidate, citing his stellar military service in Vietnam, his strong debating skills and his Senate victory over former governor William F. Weld in 1996.
One drawback to a Kerry selection for the Democrats, however, would be that Republican Governor Paul Cellucci would appoint his replacement for the remainder of Kerry's term, which ends in 2002.
Kerry himself considered running for president, but in light of campaign debts incurred in the 1996 race and Gore's financial strength, he opted out. Instead, he endorsed Gore early and campaigned vigorously for the vice president in Iowa, New Hampshire, and New York.
