BUSH SPEAKS OF SPIRITUAL RECOVERY

Candidate Talks With Drug Addicts In Pre-caucus Iowa

COLFAX, Iowa -- George W. Bush acknowledged his hard-drinking past to
a group of recovering drug addicts Friday, telling them, ``I'm on a
walk, just like you.''

Taking a break from traditional campaigning just three days before
Monday's Iowa caucuses, the front-running Republican presidential
candidate spoke about his experience with alcohol in personal terms
and displayed a side of himself voters have rarely seen.

``I'm on a walk. And it's a never-ending walk, as far as I'm
concerned,'' he told a hushed audience of recovering drug addicts and
their families. ``I understand. I do. I used to drink too much and I
quit drinking. . . . I want you to know that your life's walk is
shared by a lot of other people, even some who wear suits.''

Although Bush has often told of how he quit drinking after celebrating
his 40th birthday, he usually tells the story in matter-of-fact terms.
He says he never considered himself an alcoholic and gave up drinking
primarily because it sapped his energy at night.

A personal account

But after listening to the poignant personal stories of recovering
addicts, Bush delivered an earnest account of his own experience.

The self-confidence that he exudes on the campaign trail melted away
as he stepped into the pulpit in a small chapel at Teen Challenges of
the Midlands, a rural drug-treatment facility about 30 minutes outside
Des Moines. Instead of his standard stump speech on tax cuts and
compassionate conservatism, Bush spoke in spiritual terms.

He attributed his decision to quit drinking to the Rev. Billy Graham,
a longtime friend of the Bush family who encouraged Bush to develop
his spirituality.

``Billy Graham planted a seed in my heart,'' Bush said. ``It wasn't
Billy. He was the messenger.''

Bush's comments were likely to please Christian conservatives, who
traditionally play a major role in Republican presidential politics.
More than 40 percent of likely caucus participants in Iowa identified
themselves as ``born again'' or fundamentalist Christians in a recent
Des Moines Register poll.

But in a week filled with rallies, receptions and other standard
political events, Bush's visit to the drug-rehab center was hardly
politics as usual. The center's administrators had invited the
governor to stop by after reading about his support for a similar
facility in San Antonio.

Stories shared

Before his chapel remarks, the candidate listened intently as
recovering addicts shared stories of degradation and redemption.

``About 11 months ago, my life just crashed,'' said Lloyd Johnston,
34.

``I was a prisoner of drugs and alcohol. They had me. I didn't control
them, they controlled me. When I walked into this program, I had no
hope, and now my future is very bright.''

Bush expressed hope that his visit would prompt other addicts to seek
help.

``I'm obviously in the midst of a political campaign, but there must
be a larger campaign, beyond just politics, in life,'' he said.

``I want to thank the folks who have given their testimony,
particularly in front of all these cameras. . . . Who knows? Maybe
somebody out there will hear, and the phone will ring today.''