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George W. Bush
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His A little fuzzy on the truth |
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Have you ever been a user of cocaine?
"I'm not going to talk about what I did years ago." (Washington Post, Aug. 11, 1999)
No, really, we want to know, have you ever been a user of cocaine?
"It is irrelevant what I did 20 to 30 years ago." (Washington Post, Aug. 11, 1999)
Couldn't you just say "no," and we'll let it go at that?
"I can't stand the politics of personal destruction. I think it's bad for America. I think it sends a signal to people that politics is ugly, and therefore I don't want to participate." (Washington Post, Aug. 16, 1999)
We're not trying to destroy you, sir, but drug use is a serious matter for society and especially for our young people, and since you've put yourself forth as a candidate to be our President we'd like to know your personal history...
"I understand by refusing to play the Washington, D.C., game of gossip, people may draw certain conclusions about me. It's time for some politician to stand up and say, 'Enough is enough of this.'" (Washington Post, Aug. 16, 1999)
That's no way to be. This isn't a "game," sir, but a legitimate question for someone who would at the very least be a role model for our youth...
"The minute you answer one question, they float another rumor. I know how the game works .. and I ain't playing." (CNN, Aug. 14, 1999)
Can't you see where we're coming from on this? You could clear the air with just a few words?
"There's no pressure to talk about rumors, unsubstantiated rumors and gossip. I reject that kind of politics. America rejects that kind of politics." (Dallas Morning News, Aug. 18, 1999) "The people of America are sick and tired of this kind of politics, and I'm not participating." (CBS, Aug. 18, 1999)
So this is nothing but rumors...?
"Ridiculous rumors." (CNN, Aug. 14, 1999)
Well, one way of taking the word "ridiculous" is that there's absolutely nothing to it, that even the suggestion of such a thing is absurd. Is that what you're saying?
"I'm not going to inventory what I did as a child." (Dallas Morning News, Aug. 18, 1999)
We will probably have to conclude that you've done worse than perhaps is actually true. Is that prudent at this juncture?
"The game of trying to force me to prove a negative and to chase down unsubstantiated, ugly rumors has got to end. And so therefore, I'm going to end it." (Dallas Morning News, Aug. 18, 1999)
Don't you believe that people, even youngsters in their 30s, are to be responsible for their actions?
"What people need to know about me is that when I swear in, I will swear in to not only uphold the laws of the land, I will swear to uphold the dignity in the office, of the office to which I had been elected, so help me God." (NY Times, Aug. 18, 1999)
But when you were young—
"...young and irresponsible..." (NY Daily News, Aug. 5, 1999)
--You weren't too interested in upholding the laws then, if the accusations made against you are true...and it appears that you will not defend yourself against them or deny them?
"I don't like trashmouth politics. I don't like tearing somebody down." (The Australian, Aug. 13, 1999)
So you won't defend yourself against these accusations?
"I won't play that Washington game." (NY Post, Aug. 16, 1999)
It seems a little strange that you've answered questions about drinking, about whether you've ever had an affair, about your wild youth, and so on, but you draw the line here. What's so hard about just saying 'no'?
"You know what happens? Somebody floats a rumor and then it causes you to ask a question. And that's the game in American politics, and I refuse to play it. That is a game. And you just fell for the trap. And I refuse to play." (CBS, Aug. 18, 1999)
Is there anything else you'd like to say concerning this matter?
"Enough is enough." (Dallas Morning News, Aug. 18, 1999)
Guess what, Governor Bush... As long as you're a candidate for President, people are going to keep asking you. You may as well answer the questions, or quit.
©1999 NegativeSpin.com
E-Mail: tom@hauntedbookstore.com
