Rallying Round The GOP

On CBS' Face the Nation Sunday, several Republican political pundits discussed whether George W. Bush had bungled the issue of his former drug use. They were interviewed by Face The Nation Anchor Bob Shieffer.

In recent days, Bush has been hounded at every campaign stop by reporters, asking him if he's ever done illegal drugs. After admitting that he'd been a "party guy" in his youth, Bush then gave varying answers about how long he'd been drug free. His answers ranged from seven years to 15 years to 25 years.

When asked on Face the Nation if Bush had hurt himself with his response about drugs, the four influential Republicans put the onus of past indiscretions on the shoulders of President Clinton.

"I'm sure his competitors and opponents are enjoying this, but the American people aren't," said Bush supporter Haley Barbour, former chairman of the Repubican National Committee. "Because this is what the American people are sick and tired of. They're tired of 'Gotcha' politics."

Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, agreed.

"The American people are hungering for someone who will say that no one should have to put themselves, their children, their spouses, their families through this kind of exacting and unnecessary personal toll in order to serve the public," said Reed, an informal consultant to the Bush campaign.

He added that "the sharks are circling but there's no blood in the water."

Rep. Tillie Fowler, who supports Elizabeth Dole, said Bush's past drug use was a non-issue.

"People understand youthful mistakes. You just need to be forthright, up front about them," she said.