PRESS HAS AN ADDICTION TO INTERROGATING GOV. BUSH

In a presidential campaign that has begun too early, George W. Bush is being
subjected to an absurdly excessive assault on his personal life.

His answers to various personal questions should prove reassuring to most
Americans. He has been faithful to his wife, he gave up alcohol more than a
decade ago and he has an extensive and apparently untainted business record.
After the Clinton years, that is a mighty good start.

And it is just about all many of us want to know about the governor of
Texas' personal life.

But the media has obsessed about Bush's less-forthcoming answers to
questions regarding drugs.

More, more, more, the national press demands. Actually, Bush has already
said enough to give most people a pretty clear idea that he hasn't abused
drugs recently, if ever. The press questions are based on nothing more than
rumors.

There is no one who has substantiated any of the media's implied
allegations. Especially in these circumstances, voters ought to accept
Bush's refusal to elaborate.

The voters can draw whatever conclusions they wish.

The reality, of course, is that Bush comes from a generation where a huge
number of people experimented with illegal drugs.

That's a simple fact which people need to discuss privately with the young
people in their lives.

Such discussions can be important to helping today's younger generation make
more responsible decisions about their own behavior.

The most important lessons are to be learned from parents, family members,
trusted adults and realistic study of drugs' effects.

But the personal should not be confused with the political. Any further
comments from Bush about the drug-use rumors would have little or no
relevance to political decisions on leadership in the 21st century.

If we must hear about presidential politics 14 months before the election,
let it be discussions of platforms, records and ideas.