In Republican Party circles and in Sen. Robert J. Dole's campaignoperation, the new front-runner to become Dole's running mate isMichigan Gov. John Engler.
Engler is the rising choice of Republicans who believe that, ifDole clinches the presidential nomination early next spring, heshould reassure his party's base by nominating a conservative. Thatwould eliminate potential vice presidents to the left of Dole such asGen. Colin Powell, New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman andCalifornia Gov. Pete Wilson.
Dole insiders say Engler would not necessarily rule himself outby failing to endorse the senator. But, they add, he might wellconsider losing weight. "I would hope the governor puts in some timeon the Stairmaster," said a Dole adviser. Is Nunn next?
The decision by Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey not to seekre-election has increased the probability, in the opinion ofDemocratic political operatives, that Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia willbe the party's next stalwart to bow out.
A lawyer by profession, Nunn has told friends that, at age 56,he would like to get into the private sector to make some money andis uncertain whether next year he will seek a fifth term in theSenate. He has made clear he enjoyed his previous role as chairmanof the Senate Armed Services Committee much more than his currentposition as its ranking minority member. Neutral in N.H.
Contrary to reports coming out of Massachusetts Gov. WilliamWeld's political entourage, New Hampshire Gov. Stephen Merrill has nointention of endorsing Wilson in his state's critical primaryelection.
Wilson backer Peter Berlandi, a Weld fund-raiser and friend ofMerrill's, has been quoted by New Hampshire Republicans as sayingthat Merrill is about to support the Californian (though Berlandidenied it to me). Weld is Wilson's most vigorous and effectivebacker outside his own camp.
But Merrill told me that he has not decided to endorse Wilson oranybody else and that he plans no such endorsement anytime soon. Anti-abortion Democrat
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey, feeling fit and stillvery much a Democrat, is contemplating a 1998 Senate run againstRepublican Sen. Arlen Specter based on the abortion issue.
Casey, a strong foe of abortion, was prevented from speaking atthe 1992 Democratic National Convention and at one time laid plans tochallenge President Clinton in the 1996 party primaries. He decidedthat, following his recovery from a life-threatening illness, he wasnot up to an effort of that magnitude.
But he says he is well now and is looking toward a race againstSpecter, who is seeking the presidential nomination as a vigorouslypro-choice Republican. Finance chairman Roth?
Sen. William Roth of Delaware is eager to move up to thechairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee if beleaguered ChairmanBob Packwood is purged.
Senate Republicans had heard that Roth was loath to quit aschairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. That is "absolutely"incorrect, a close Roth adviser told me. He would head Finance if,as seems increasingly probable, the Senate Ethics Committee causesPackwood to be removed as chairman because of sexual misconduct.
Senate Republican leaders have been concerned whether Roth, atage 74, has the energy or skills to lead the committee through itsdifficult agenda of tax cuts, welfare reform and Medicare revision.But they prefer Roth to who is next in line for succession: liberalSen. John Chafee of Rhode Island.
Robert Novak is a nationally syndicated columnist of the ChicagoSun-Times.
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