WASHINGTON - Al Gore has selected Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman to be his running mate, rounding out the Democratic ticket with the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate in American history.
Gore planned to offer Lieberman the job in a telephone call overnight, according to several Democratic sources.
Lieberman has indicated he will accept.
The Vice-President and his running mate will appear together at a rally tomorrow in Nashville, the sources said.
Lieberman, aged 58, beat out five other finalists: Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana, John Edwards of North Carolina, John Kerry of Massachusetts; House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri and New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen.
The Gore campaign hoped Lieberman's selection would be a bold stroke heading into next week's Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
A Democratic centrist, Lieberman would amplify Gore support of fiscal discipline and middle class tax cuts, the sources said. Gore considers his pick a respected voice of independence and integrity, in contrast to the Republican ticket's ties to special interests.
Lieberman was an outspoken critic of President Bill Clinton's conduct during the impeachment controversy.
One source said his choice would make the ticket more appealing to independents and swing voters who favoured Clinton's policies but were turned off by his personal conduct. Gore's selection of an Orthodox Jew is a first.
Because he and his wife, Hadassah, observe the Jewish Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, Lieberman is ostensibly prohibited from working then. The senator has interpreted this to mean he may still work during that time, but only to promote "the respect and protection of human life and well-being."
He has said he will vote on legislation and participate in important meetings on the Sabbath - but will not campaign. He skipped one of his state nominating conventions because it was held on the Sabbath.
Picking the moderate Democrat and self-styled moral crusader as his running mate signals an effort by Gore to win over independent and Republican voters and distance himself from Clinton's controversies.
While critics brand Lieberman as a liberal who votes for abortion rights, gun control and tax rises, Democrats say he is more conservative when it comes to issues such as defence spending and family values.
Meanwhile, presidential nominee George W. Bush rode a surge of support from the Republican convention through the key electoral state of Illinois yesterday aboard a train of 16 restored cars he has named Victory Express.
The Texas Governor, pumped up by a USA Today/CNN Gallup poll giving him a 17-point lead over Gore, declared: "You know I plan to carry the state of Illinois."
The three-day, post-convention tour began in Pennsylvania, wound its way through Ohio and Michigan and was to end in Springfield.
All are Midwestern battleground states that Republicans have not won in the past two presidential elections.
At every stop, Bush hit a selection of the major themes from his standard stump speech, pledging to rebuild the military, save the social security system, reform public education and "restore honour and integrity to the White House."
The train drew large crowds at all stops.
- AGENCIES
Gore chooses Lieberman as running mate
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