PUBLISHER RECALLS BIOGRAPHY OF BUSH OVER LAWSUIT WORRIES

AUSTIN -- The publisher of a controversial and inaccurate biography of Gov.
George W. Bush recalled the 70,000 copies that had been sent to wholesalers
and bookstores.

The recall was made after St. Martin's Press, worried that Bush might sue,
confirmed that the author had served a prison sentence for attempted murder.

"We have enough information from our own investigation to make the decision
that the book should be pulled," said Sally Richardson, St. Martin's
president and publisher.

The book, Fortunate Son: George W. Bush and the Making of an American
President by J.H. Hatfield, alleges that Bush was arrested in 1972 in
Houston on a cocaine charge but used his father's influence to have the
record purged. Hatfield based his allegation on three unnamed sources.

The Bush family vehemently denied the allegation. Carol Vance, who was the
Democratic district attorney of Harris County at the time, also denied the
allegation and refuted several points Hatfield made to bolster his claim.

Bush, campaigning in New Hampshire, said St. Martin's Press should recall
the book.

"Unfortunately, there are some people in the political process who think it
is OK to make stuff up," he said. "Most people aren't going to buy all this
garbage and rumors."

Texas prison records indicate Hatfield spent five years in prison for the
1987 attempted murder of his boss in Dallas. Hatfield paid another man
$5,000 to plant a bomb in her car. The woman and her passenger escaped
unharmed.

Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said the governor's personal lawyers are
looking at possible legal action, including a libel suit.

After first learning of the case, St. Martin's suspended publication of the
book on Thursday. But about 70,000 copies were in bookstores.