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NOVEMBER 3, 2000

Just days before the Presidential election, Texas Governor George W. Bush is again being forced to answer questions about his past problems with alcohol.

On Thursday night, Bush called a press conference to address a report that he pleaded guilty to drunk driving in 1976. News organizations in Maine first confirmed and reported the story.

"I'm the first to say that what I did was wrong," Bush told reporters in Wisconsin last night.

In 1976, Bush was pulled over in Kennebunkport, where his family has a home. He subsequently failed a field-sobriety test, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, paid a $150 fine and had his driving privileges temporarily suspended in Maine. His blood alcohol level was 0.10, the legal limit at the time.

Appearing with his wife, Laura, Bush apologized for the incident and said he wanted to keep the incident private because he didn't want his daughters to be affected.

Whether or not the news will affect voters is another question. Bush, now 54, has already said that he stopped drinking at the age of 40 because it was interfering with his life and marriage.

Bush said he quit without counseling and also noted last year that hadn't used any illegal substances in the past 25 years. Neither revelation has appeared to affect his popularity.

Bush's troubles with alcohol and alleged illicit drug use were the subject of news just yesterday. Some newspapers pulled Wednesday's installation of the comic Doonesbury, because of references Bush's past.

Ross Perot has endorsed Bush for President.

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Voters' Guide: The President, Part III (Politics 11/1)

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