Mr. Inside

George W. Bush’s campaign generated some genuine political excitement Monday when word circulated that retired Gen. Colin L. Powell was in the picture as a possible vice presidential running mate. Then came the letdown. The rumor was quashed by both Bush and Powell, and the Republican presidential candidate turned instead to the inside favorite, former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney.

There’s no questioning Cheney’s qualifications. He was a rising star in the House GOP leadership when he resigned his Wyoming congressional seat in 1989 to become George Bush’s secretary of Defense, a position he held during the Desert Storm war. Both in Congress and earlier, as White House chief of staff to Gerald Ford, this man of steady, moderate demeanor was able to maintain good relations with leaders of both parties. Still, he has a conservative record that is compatible with Bush’s and acceptable to the Republican Party’s religious right.

But the selection of Cheney, 59, after months of heading George W.’s search for a running mate, needs inspection. The Texas governor insists the decision was his alone. But was the choice influenced by his father, the former president, in whose Cabinet Cheney served? Does that raise a question of what role the elder Bush might play if his son were elected?

Every president has sought counsel from one or more of his predecessors, and as father and son, the former president and the candidate are certain to be in frequent contact. At what point might one’s ideas become the other’s policies?

George W. promises he would be an independent president, and we take him at his word. But he should be aware of concerns about the possible influence of his father and take steps to demonstrate his independence.

In choosing a running mate, Bush certainly could have broadened the appeal of his campaign by selecting a woman, such as Elizabeth Dole; a minority member, such as Powell, or a supporter of choice on abortion, such as New York Gov. George Pataki. He might have sought a running mate who promised to bring along a hefty bunch of electoral votes, perhaps Pennsylvania Gov. Thomas J. Ridge.

At the last moment, Arizona Sen. John McCain made himself available but was rejected by Bush forces. During his battles with Bush in the primaries, McCain demonstrated his allure to both Democrats and independents. But the animosity generated then apparently was too much for the two men to overcome.

Cheney may not inject excitement into the campaign or bring more than three Wyoming electoral votes that Bush would win anyway. But he has a breadth of experience that Bush needs--in White House management and in national security and foreign affairs. He is certain to be an effective campaigner unless Bush makes him the ticket’s chief attack dog. Cheney’s wife, Lynne, the popular former head of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will also be an asset.

Bush had his options. When potential running mates have dubious vote-pulling power, the rule is to pick one who will do no harm to the ticket. The former Defense secretary surely will deliver more of that security for candidate George W. Bush than Dan Quayle did for the senior Bush.