With Dole out, Gibbons weighs GOP presidential hopefuls

Scott Sonner

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1999 | 9:46 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Rep. Jim Gibbons said today he does not believe George W. Bush has already wrapped up the GOP presidential nomination.

He said he's still deciding between the Texas governor, Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Orin Hatch of Utah as his top pick for the job.

Gibbons, R-Nev., had included Elizabeth Dole among his favorites until she dropped out on Wednesday. He said he's likely to endorse one of the other three early next year.

"Those three so far mirror the Western philosophy that is so important to Nevada," Gibbons said in an interview from Washington.

Each has different strengths, he said.

"I think Sen. McCain (a former POW) brings a great deal of understanding with him in terms of the military," said Gibbons, a former Air Force pilot who served in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War.

"Sen. Hatch has a great deal of understanding in terms of judiciary and Western issues as well," he said about the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Gov. Bush brings the executive leadership to the table," he said.

"Every one of them has a great deal of personal credential that would make a great president. I just haven't had a chance to sit down and talk with them."

Gibbons plans to meet with each before offering an endorsement. The congressman whose wife, Dawn, is a state assemblywoman, said he had been high on Mrs. Dole.

"I think she would have been a great president. She brought integrity and dignity and substance to the race," Gibbons said.

He said she might make a good running mate for the eventual GOP candidate.

"My view is Elizabeth Dole is America's Margaret Thatcher. She is strong. She is articulate. I think she would be wonderful in any position she wanted, including vice president," he said.