AD ALLEGES BUSH DRUG PROBLEM

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- A Florida lawyer who is running for president aired a
political advertisement on New Hampshire's biggest television news station
on Monday, alleging Texas Gov. George W. Bush suffered from "alcohol abuse"
and had a cocaine problem.

Andy Martin, a West Palm Beach lawyer and perennial candidate for various
political offices, is running the ad on WMUR-TV, an ABC affiliate that has
aired presidential debates.

The Bush campaign said it had not asked WMUR to stop running the ad.
Spokesman Ari Fleischer said WMUR would have to decide that on its own.

"It's part of the unfortunate nonsense that can come with political
campaigns," Fleischer said. "These things are as mean-spirited as they are
inaccurate."

WMUR spokeswoman Julie Campasano, who handles media inquiries about the
station's advertising policies, refused to answer questions about why the
station accepted the ad.

In the ad, Martin alleges: "George Bush had a cocaine problem. His brain
suffered from alcohol abuse. Don't trust Bush with your vote until he
trusts you with the truth about his past."

Bush has refused to answer some questions about his past, saying only that
he has not used illegal drugs since 1975. No evidence has surfaced that he
ever used cocaine.

Martin began airing commercials in New Hampshire before Thanksgiving,
calling himself "New Hampshire's favorite son for president."

Jonathan Klarfeld, a journalism professor at Boston University, said WMUR
is not required to run the ad.

"They get to refuse any ad they find offensive," Klarfeld said.