Michigan Gov. John Engler, a vocal GOP voice for tax cuts and welfare reform, is getting a second look as Bob Dole's deadline for selecting a running mate draws near, Republican sources said Monday.
The sources, insisting on anonymity, said Engler met Sunday with Dole campaign manager Scott Reed to discuss the No. 2 spot on the Republican ticket.Engler is one of four Midwestern governors contacted by Dole's search team. One, Ohio's George Voinovich, has pulled his name from consideration, as has Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.
Until Monday, Engler has not figured prominently in the vice presidential speculation. He withheld an endorsement of Dole until just before the Michigan primary, and associates have speculated that Dole would have a hard time picking Engler because the governor was disqualified for the Vietnam draft because he was a few pounds overweight.
But the sources said Engler won a fresh look because his record cutting taxes fits nicely with the giant tax-cutting package Dole was unveiling Monday and making the centerpiece of his campaign. Michigan also is a pivotal fall battleground, and Engler won his 1994 re-election race in a landslide.
Other sources said Sunday that Dole had narrowed his search to Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Connie Mack of Florida, former South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell and perhaps one or two others.
An initial list of nine prospects has been pared to seven because of the decisions by Voinovich and Ridge to take themselves out of the running. Voinovich announced his decision Thursday; Ridge has said his conversations with Dole on the subject are confidential but three GOP sources confirmed Sunday that Ridge had asked the Dole campaign to remove his name from the list.