On March 7, 2000, Texas Governor George W. Bush won the 2000 Republican nomination for President of the United States, and became the presumptive nominee.

Bush had initially chosen Dick Cheney to lead the search for his vice presidential running mate.

[2] After more than three months of extensive research, Cheney recommended John Danforth to be the nominee,[3] as the other choices' strengths were offset by liberal stances.

[5][6][7] By picking Cheney, Bush had a running mate who had years of experience as well as an extensive foreign policy expertise.

At the selection announcement, Bush said that Cheney, who had worked under all five presidential administrations between 1969 and 1993, was qualified, respected and shared his vision for America.