Clinton Considering Choice of Running Mate

Exuding new confidence and projecting a well-rested voice, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton disclosed in Los Angeles on Wednesday that he has begun “very, very seriously” contemplating the selection of a running mate on the Democratic ticket in November.

That person is likely to possess certain qualities and traits that he himself lacks, Clinton suggested without elaboration.

“What I want you to think, when I name this person--this man or this woman--to run with me is: ‘Wow! There’s somebody who would make a good President,’ ” Clinton told an ethnically diverse group of high school students in North Hills.

Making several appearances in Los Angeles before flying to San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon, Clinton also picked up the endorsement of California Secretary of State March Fong Eu and drew warm praise from Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Woo and U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.), a onetime supporter of ex-Massachusetts Sen. Paul E. Tsongas, who has suspended his campaign.

“People all over the country are beginning to recognize and see that he’s going to be our nominee,” Kennedy said of Clinton as he appeared with the Arkansas governor at the Monroe Law and Government Magnet School, a public school that draws top students from throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District.

At his appearances, Clinton also sounded his campaign themes: that as President he would cut the defense budget and pay for job-training programs with the proceeds, develop energy policies that emphasize alternative fuels, and make a personal commitment to bring people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds together.

Clinton discussed his thought processes about a running mate in answer to a student’s question.

“I think it’s important that this be perceived as sort of a non-political decision,” Clinton said.

The governor acknowledged that the nominating process is far from over, with many populous states, including California, yet to hold their primaries. But he added: “What I have done is to begin thinking seriously about what sort of person ought to be vice president and how that person would relate to me . . . and the American people.”

He criticized the manner in which President Bush chose Dan Quayle as his running mate in 1988.

At the mention of Quayle, some of the 250 or so students snickered loudly, prompting Clinton to make a comment that seemed as applicable to himself as to the vice president.

“We all get preconceived notions about people and then they can’t break out of the box,” Clinton said somewhat wistfully.

It is paramount to have as vice president a person who could assume the reins of power, he continued, “because, you know, something could happen to the President the day after inauguration.”

Clinton added: “So the first and most important (characteristic) should be that that person would be a good President--immediately if necessary. Nobody knows everything you need to know until you’ve been there. But you need somebody capable of moving in.

“A lot of presidents have gotten into trouble in past years because they picked too many people who were just like them,” Clinton concluded. “They came from the same racial or ethnic or geographic backgrounds. . . . They looked at government the same way. . . . They were comfortable with each other. But they had the same strengths and weaknesses.”

Clinton did not say when he might make his choice known.