CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK: LOCKYER CAMPAIGN'S FOCUS IS GOING TO POT

Bill Lockyer gave his political opponents something to put in their pipes
last week when he was asked by a caller on a Sacramento radio show whether
he had ever smoked marijuana while serving in the Legislature.

Lockyer, a Democratic state senator running for attorney general, refused to
answer the caller's question, saying he did not think it was "appropriate to
get into those things."

That prompted demands by the California Republican Party and the California
Narcotic Officers Association that Lockyer respond directly to the question.
Both groups are backing Lockyer's opponent, Republican Dave Stirling.

"I do not use drugs," Lockyer told The Bee. "I do not condone the use of
drugs, and if I'm attorney general, I'll use the powers of the office to
curb drug abuse in California."

Pressed on whether he had ever smoked marijuana since he began serving in
the Legislature in 1973, Lockyer repeated the same response -- using only
the present and future tenses.

Asked whether he thought the subject was relevant, Lockyer said, "I think
the campaign for serious office should focus on serious issues. It has been
up until now."

Checked-by: Don Beck