-Caveat Lector- from: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19990822/ts/bush_drugs_1.html <A HREF="http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19990822/ts/bush_drugs_1.html">Republica n Rivals Chide Bush On Drug Questions</A> ----- Sunday August 22 12:03 PM ET Republican Rivals Chide Bush On Drug Questions Reuters Photo Full Coverage Presidential Election 2000 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican challengers to presidential front-runner George W. Bush said Sunday he should answer questions about rumors he used illegal drugs in the past, while his supporters attacked the media for pursuing the issue. ``I think anything that involves a felony, I don't see how you're going to be able to get away from it,'' said Republican candidate Gary Bauer, appearing on Fox-TV's ``Fox News Sunday'' program. ``These are important questions. It does go to law enforcement. I don't think we can say to our kids, 'Look, this is important and we're serious about it' and then be sort of coy when it comes to a question about it,'' Bauer said. Bush has faced a barrage of questions about whether he used drugs, including cocaine, when he was younger. The Texas governor has refused to deny using illegal drugs, saying mistakes he may have made in his youth are not anyone's business. Last week he altered his stance somewhat by saying he had not used illegal drugs for at least 25 years. Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who entered the presidential race last month, also made the argument that the drug question had important implications for U.S. children. ``We're making some headway in the battle against drugs. We've passed a number of Hatch bills that are literally starting to make a dent in it, but if we don't have the top leaders living right and doing right and setting an example, then the kids say 'Well they did it, why shouldn't we?'' Hatch said on NBC-TV's ``Meet the Press'' program. Hatch said Bush should not be hammered over the issue, but that he should have answered it fully from the beginning. ``I think it's absurd to beat him into the ground over something like this, but it's not absurd to ask the question to begin with and expect an honest forthright answer,'' he said. Texas Rep. Tom DeLay, the majority whip, focused his criticisms on the media, saying it was dealing with rumors that were ``not substantiated.'' ``I think legitimate journalists can ask questions if there are charges or if there is evidence that there is something wrong. But to be fishing, and running around asking questions and creating this whole aura that there's something sinister in someone's background, I just don't think it's responsible or legitimate,'' DeLay said on the ``Fox News Sunday'' program. Ohio Rep. John Kasich, a former Republican candidate now supporting Bush, also blamed the media for its obsession with the issue. Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition and now a GOP strategist working for Bush, said the Texas governor had not been hurt by his responses on the drug issue last week. ``The sharks are circling but there's no blood in the water. He's not only not going to falter, he's stronger today than he was before this happened,'' said Reed. Reed said poll numbers showed Bush had increased his support in recent days, while Forbes had declined following the Iowa straw poll in which Bush finished first and Forbes finished a strong second, followed by Elizabeth Dole and Bauer. Reed said he had heard suggestions that the Forbes campaign was encouraging the controversy over Bush's rumored drug use. ``A number of journalists have indicated to me that some of the things that happened this week were being encouraged by some of the other campaigns, and particularly the Forbes campaign. I think that's terribly unfortunate,'' said Reed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Search News Stories Search News Photos Aug 23 | Aug 22 | Aug 21 | Aug 20 | Aug 19 | Aug 18 | Aug 17 | Aug 16 | Aug 15 | Aug 14 Home | Top Stories | Business | Tech | Politics | World | Local | Entertainment | Sports | Science | Health ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Questions or Comments Copyright � 1996-1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
