Kerry Nearing Pick for Ticket

Running Mate May Be Named Today

FOX CHAPEL, Pa., July 5 -- Sen. John F. Kerry appeared likely to announce his vice presidential running mate at a Tuesday morning rally in Pittsburgh, according to Democratic sources, and his aides were poised to launch an elaborate rollout that calls for the Democratic ticket to campaign together throughout the week.

The Democratic nominee remained mum about his choice during a campaign rally and barbecue with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, and about 500 supporters at the couple's estate outside Pittsburgh Monday afternoon. But signs pointed increasingly to a Tuesday announcement.

Media and Democratic Party speculation Monday focused most heavily on Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.). There was a report that Edwards had interrupted a family vacation in Florida on Thursday to fly to Washington for an evening meeting with Kerry, but it was not clear whether that meeting was definitive.

The senator from Massachusetts has kept his vice presidential decision-making shrouded in secrecy, and conjecture about who is the leading contender has shifted several times recently. That leaves open the possibility that he could pick one of several Democrats believed to be finalists.

That group also includes Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.), Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Sen. Bob Graham (Fla.) and possibly others. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.), a close confidant of Kerry's who reportedly was among those under consideration, told reporters on Monday, "I am the most unlikely vice presidential candidate you'll find."

Kerry's team wants maximum exposure for the ticket, but for the sake of secrecy, his running mate is not likely to join Kerry at the Pittsburgh rally, although he may join him later in the day, according to a campaign source.

Kerry and his running mate are expected to campaign together on Wednesday in Ohio and again on Thursday, when the Democrats hold a major fundraising gala in New York. The Democratic ticket will also go to the home state of the vice presidential nominee at the end of the week.

Kerry is scheduled to campaign in Indiana later on Tuesday, then return to the District to appear at the National Education Association's convention. The NEA endorsed Kerry on Monday.

At his picnic Monday, Kerry reminded supporters about the Tuesday rally in Pittsburgh. "At 9 o'clock tomorrow, we're going to have some fun," he said.

It was not clear whether he was dropping a hint or merely playing with a press corps anxious for almost anything related to his vice presidential choice.

Campaign officials cautioned against reading too much into anything Monday, saying the entire roll-out plan could be adjusted to fit Kerry's timetable. "We've got a plan for every day," one adviser said.

Kerry said Monday he had not made a final decision.

"I don't know how people are reporting some of the things they are, but I'll just tell you that I have made no decision at this point in time, and I'm going to continue to keep it a private and personal process until I announce it publicly," Kerry told WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh as the barbecue was breaking up.

Edwards was in Boston on Monday for a pair of fundraisers for Kerry and the Democratic National Committee before returning to Washington but was keeping mum about the vice presidency. But word that he had met with Kerry on Thursday night, first reported by the Associated Press and confirmed by a Democratic source, intensified speculation about his prospects.