INDEPENDENCE PARTY CANDIDATES RAP WAR

Three U.S. Senate candidates from Gov. Jesse Ventura's Independence
Party of Minnesota debated the war on drugs, the future of the Social
Security system and other issues in a forum held after the DFL
candidates' debate.

James Gibson, a software developer who is the Independence Party's
endorsed candidate, environmental activist Leslie Davis and long-time
third-party activist Buford Johnson were all critical of the federal
war on drugs, and suggested that some drugs should be legalized.

Gibson said he would only legalize marijuana, while Davis said he
would legalize all drugs. "If people want to do them in a responsible
way, it's their business," Davis said. Johnson said all drugs should
be "regulated and decriminalized," and said they should be taxed to
raise money for treatment and care of those with drug problems.

In sizing up the two bigger parties, Johnson said, "Democrats have
become totally addicted to government. Republicans say government is
the problem." He suggested there is a middle viewpoint: "There is a
role for government."