Bush to Let Running Mate Suspense Build to Final Day

WASHINGTON —  Vice President George Bush, trying to close the upcoming Republican National Convention on a dramatic note, plans to announce his running mate on the last day of the gathering, aides said today.

Also, in an apparent effort to combat the Democrats in the key election battleground of Texas, the aides said Bush has selected Sen. Phil Gramm of the Lone Star State to place his name in nomination at the New Orleans gathering.

Bush claims Texas as his main home state, but Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis escalated that state--and its 29 electoral votes--to showdown status when he selected Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of Texas as his vice presidential choice.

The Democrats also tried to showcase Texas at their recent convention by having Texas Treasurer Ann Richards deliver the keynote address.

The convention will run from Aug. 15 to 18, but Bush does not plan to arrive in New Orleans until the second day of the gathering, after the departure of President Reagan, who will speak on opening night.

By holding the vice presidential announcement until the last day of the gathering, Bush in effect will be competing with himself for attention, since the usual focus of the final convention session is the acceptance speech by the presidential candidate.