Dick Cheney: A safe pair of hands

He is seen as a safe pair of hands

BBC US analyst Gordon Corera

Dick Cheney is a classic number two man - although he is unlikely to add any great excitement to the Bush campaign.

Thanks to his time in Congress and as secretary of defence he brings stature, Washington experience and strong credentials on foreign policy - an area where George W Bush is perceived as weak.

The choice of Mr Cheney shows confidence on Mr Bush's part - he is not picking someone who will help him massively in the election but instead opting for someone who is competent and a safe pair of hands and would help him in government.

Ironically, it is probably the example of Al Gore that guided this choice.

Gore's time in the number two post has helped transform it from a political backwater that one incumbent described as not being "worth a bucket of warm spit" to a position with serious responsibilities and clout.

Mr Bush has said that the two most important things he wants from a running mate are loyalty and the qualifications to serve as President if need be - nine times vice-presidents have had to move up to the top job following the death or resignation of the President.

One danger for Bush is that Mr Cheney will associate him a little too closely with the administration of his father, something which he has been trying to avoid.

Politically, Mr Cheney has the advantage of a relatively moderate public image concealing a deeply conservative voting record, he opposes abortion rights, for instance.

As a result, he is not likely to put anyone off too much although neither is he likely to excite too many either.

Gore's options

So now, the ball is in Al Gore's court - and he essentially has two options.

Gore's choice is awaited

He can match Mr Bush by picking someone who has gravitas and stature and is relatively safe - former Senate leader and Northern Ireland peace envoy George Mitchell would be an obvious contender for that kind of role.

Alternatively, he could try and draw a contrast with the Bush ticket by picking someone from a different mould - he could go for someone youthful, like say Indiana Senator Evan Bayh in the hope of tying the Texan governor through Mr Cheney to his father's administration and the past.

Or Mr Gore could pick a woman or someone from a minority to contrast with the Bush-Cheney campaign - two white males.

Al Gore could also pick someone who might help win a swing state - the top choice here would be Florida Senator Bob Graham.

Finally, Mr Gore could opt for a surprise pick to try and add some momentum and get away from the sense that his campaign lacks excitement.

Whatever he does, we probably will not know for another two weeks or so - the indications are that Gore will announce his pick in the week after the Republican convention in the hope of taking the media spotlight away from Mr Bush and focusing it on himself in the run up Los Angeles and the Democratic Convention.

Trailing, but only by a bit in the polls, Al Gore's pick could be vital.