(from the Drudge Report - fair use for educational purposes blah blah)

BUSH ZEROS IN ON VP MATE; ACTIVITY FOCUSES ON KEATING

Texas Governor George W. Bush is on the verge of selecting his running mate for the race to take the White House.

Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating is Bush's current choice for the slot! (Ok, Okies, tell us how you like this guy? -k)

While other names continue to swirl around Bush, Keating has emerged as not only the front-runner, but he is now considered by campaign insiders to be the de facto nominee.

Bush has told his running mate sleuth Dick Cheney that he would "feel most comfortable" with Keating, according to three sources.

Sources warn that Keating is not a guarantee for vice president. Repeat. Sources warn that Keating is not a guarantee for vice president, even though there are strong indications that Bush has found his man.

Bush advisers have tested Keating's "State of the State 2000" address with focus groups of 5-10 people. The response is said to have been off the charts. "The speech was as powerful a political address as has been given by anyone this cycle," said one insider.

Keating negatives:

*He urged Mr. Bush to answer completely questions about possible past drug use.

*Keating is known for his sharp public comments that have angered teachers, Democrats, fellow Catholics and even his own wife. His solution for dealing with the state teachers union? "Homicide," he quipped. His take on a school shooting at Fort Gibson, Okla.? "A call to arms." (Ok, he sounds kinda cool -k)

One factor has apparently knocked Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge out of the running: His physical presence! Ridge is too physically large. Standing next to Bush, he may appear overbearing, says a source. (Hey, thats not politically correct! Sizism..boo! -k)

Bush advisers now believe, based on internal polling data, that Sen. John McCain is not needed to secure independent voters. (I think we all knew McCain was way out of this race already -k)

Bush may announce his running mate before the Republican convention in Philadelphia to thwart any possible McCain momentum.

"From green country in northeast Oklahoma - the Tall Grass Prairie, to the sparkling granite mesas of southwest Oklahoma - Quartz Mountain, this is a fabulous land," Governor Keating said early this year in a speech. "From the high plains of the northwest - Alabaster Caverns, the highest place in our state - Black Mesa to the ridge-lined, tree-lined wonderment of the southeast, the blue water of Beavers Bend. This is one of Gods natural beauty places."

It may also soon be the home of the new vice presidential candidate.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), June 30, 2000

Answers

Oakies hava *always* made good spear carriers. Why not one more time ?

-Greybear

-- Vote early and vote often

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), June 30, 2000.

Let us hope that Bush doesn't select Keating. Earlier this year he pissed just about everyone in the state off, including all state workers. He knew he wasn't going to run for governor again, and I think that he knew he'd be going to Washington.

Personally, I think this man is slime.

-- (Sheeple@Greener.Pastures), July 01, 2000.

KEATING? Omigod NO!

-- I'm an Okie, she's an Okie, wouldn't you like to be an Okie too? (okie@okie.okie), July 02, 2000.

So he's a dud, huh? That's too bad. It *sounds* like Bush has made his choice in this regard. I was still hoping Keyes might be considered. Or even my own Governer, Christy Whitman, whom I disagree with at almost every turn, but who's done a good job overall.

(And the fact that my son's grandmother works for her, and would go to Washington with her, and we'd have a really cool IN at the White House wouldn't hurt)

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), July 02, 2000.

Kritter, I'll have to ask you the same question I ask all of the older kids in our family:

If you are ever "in" the Whitehouse, you do know you are NOT to pinch the President on his butt or blow him either? You KNOW you mustn't do that, don't you Kritter??

-- helen (prim@nd.proper), July 04, 2000.

Jotting in notepad "Don't blow president" Okay..got it.




-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), July 04, 2000.