Did Bush use cocaine

Nice to see that this story may be gaining traction. With Kitty Kelly's new gossip book about the famiglia Bush, coming out soon, the tepid repartage of this issue during the 2000 campaign may take root again. From Atrios and Bush watch. An excerpt of the Buzzwatch page:

* "If Texas Gov. George W. Bush were applying to work at the White House instead of seeking to run it, or if he were a Cabinet nominee instead of hoping to name the next Cabinet, he could not avoid answering detailed questions about possible past drug use as he is doing now. If Bush were applying to be an FBI agent, he would have to provide detailed information about any past drug use. If he walked into a Marine Corps recruiting office, he would be asked if he had ever used illegal drugs and rejected if he refused to answer."
* ""(Bush) evidently believes that drug use as a young adult is not a disqualification for the highest office in the nation," said Eric Sterling, president of the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, a liberal group. "If that's true, then a lot of people should be free to seek federal jobs who now feel constrained to do so." Chicago Tribune

* "It's Clintonesque," one frustrated Bush supporter said of the governor's evolving approach to discussing his past indiscretions. "He wants to be the anti-Clinton, but he's looking more like Clinton."
* "Seven years. Fifteen years. Twenty-five years," one opposition strategist scoffed in reference to Bush's shifting statements. "I guess this stuff really does screw up your memory."
* "Republicans are sick of Clinton," said another rival strategist. "The more they see of Bush, the more they're going to see Clinton." L.A. Times

* "Bush's answer yesterday fell short of the standard required of senior government officials both in the Bush administration and in the Clinton administration, who must reveal drug use back to age 18.... Republicans, even those friendly toward the governor's candidacy, doubted that yesterday's limited response would quell the controversy. 'I think it's going to lead to more and more questions,' one strategist said. Now the question is what happened between ages 18 and 28. I don't think those questions will stop until there is an answer.' " Washington Post

It will be intersting if this story takes hold, wont hold my breath, but will keep my eyes open.