Christopher to Hunt for Gore’s Running Mate

Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher will lead Al Gore’s effort to select a running mate, Gore announced Thursday, launching a vice presidential sweepstakes that until now had been more of a political parlor game.

The job is a familiar one for Christopher, who did the same chore in 1992 for Bill Clinton in a process that ended with the Arkansas governor picking Gore to join him on the Democratic ticket.

Christopher later helped Clinton choose his first Cabinet, which included his own name as top diplomat. He was secretary of State for four years to mixed reviews, with some criticizing a lack of progress in Middle East negotiations and his handling of Bosnia, while others praised him for steady good judgment.

Previously, in Los Angeles, Christopher was appointed by former Mayor Tom Bradley in 1991 to head a 10-member citizens commission that recommended police department reforms following the Rodney G. King beating and the city’s riots.

Now 74, Christopher is a lawyer in Los Angeles.

“I welcome his experience and judgment in this important effort,” the vice president said in a statement.

His selection brings structure to a process that has been the subject of significant speculation even before Gore and his Republican rival, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, wrapped up their parties’ nominations on March 14.