Bush to Address Platform Panel

WASHINGTON — Vice President George Bush, in an unusual step, plans to go to New Orleans one week before the Republican National Convention to address the party’s platform committee and “put his stamp of approval on the platform,” a campaign official said today.

Bush is also stepping up his search for a running mate, asking candidates if they’re interested in being considered and planning to use polling to determine the popularity of different people. Deputy press secretary Alixe Glen said today that Bush will make a one-day trip to the convention city Aug. 8 for the platform meeting.