DRUGS-2000

The presidential campaigns were asked Wednesday if the candidates had ever
used illegal drugs and whether they believed that the question is
appropriate. Their responses:

DEMOCRATS:

Bill Bradley:

In his book, "Time Present, Time Past", Bradley acknowledged using
marijuana. "Several times in the early 1970s I had taken a few puffs of
marijuana," Bradley wrote.

"He has said for a long time that he thinks in general the media ought to
focus much more on substantive issues than it does. Substantive issues like
policy, like what a candidate stands for," said Bradley spokesman Eric
Hauser. "Beyond that, it is up to the media how they want to decides its role."

Al Gore:

Gore has admitted to smoking marijuana in the early 70s. Spokesman Roger
Salazar says Gore has never used cocaine.

"Every candidate has a responsibility to decide what questions are
appropriate and how they are going to respond," Salazar said. "The vice
president thinks that this election will be decided by the voters on issues
that effect their every day lives and that is what he is focusing on."

REPUBLICANS:

Gary Bauer:

Spokeswoman Jessica Morris said Bauer has not used any illegal drugs.

"We ought to be able to say with no hesitation that 'No, we have no broken
the drug laws of the United States,' and 'No we have not used cocaine."' --
Gary Bauer on CNN's "Late Edition", Aug. 15.

Pat Buchanan:

Buchanan has not used any illegal drugs, according to spokesman Bob Adams.

"As a journalist he would not ask," Adams said. "As a candidate, he will not
ask."

George Bush:

Bush has refused to answer questions about whether he used drugs.

At a news conference Tuesday, he testily told reporters, "You know what
happens? Somebody floats a rumor and that causes you to ask a question. "And
that's the game in American politics, and I refuse to play it."

Elizabeth Dole:

Dole has not used any illegal drugs, spokesman Mike Paranzino said.

He said Dole has noted "that some honorable people have been driven away
from public life because of some of the intrusiveness of being in public
life today, and she thinks that is unfortunate."

Steve Forbes:

Forbes' political director Bill Dal Col said the candidate has not used any
illegal drugs.

As to whether candidates should be asked the question, Dal Col said, "That's
up to the media."

Orrin Hatch:

"I have never used illegal drugs," Hatch said Wednesday.

He said the question was appropriate. "I think Governor Bush is making a big
mistake in not settling that issue and getting it behind him. ... Why not
just say you didn't, if you didn't. And if he did, say why -- and how he's
overcome it."

Alan Keyes:

Keyes spokeswoman Becky Finger said the candidate has not used illegal drugs.

"He can't control what questions are asked of Governor Bush, but personally
he does not think it is an appropriate question when there are so many
important issues facing the nation," she said.

John McCain:

"No," spokesman Howard Opinsky said when asked about past drug use.

"He doesn't have anything to say about what others have to say. And the
question about what is appropriate or not is going to be made by the media
and the voters. He realizes it is part of running for office," said Opinsky.

Dan Quayle:

Quayle's spokesman Jonathan Baron said the former vice president has not
used illegal drugs.

"Other candidates will have to decide the manner in which they will answer
these matters," Baron said. "He has said in the past that he wished the
media wouldn't ask about things wholly unrelated to public service."