Bush Admits '70s Drunken Driving Arrest
Nov. 3 -- Holding the lead in the polls just days before the presidential election, Republican candidate George W. Bush has been forced to answer questions about a previously unknown arrest for drunken driving in 1976.
After rallying voters Thursday night in West Allis, Wis., Bush told reporters he’s “not proud” that he was arrested for driving under the influence in Kennebunkport, Maine, after drinking several beers at a bar.
“I regret that it happened, but it did,” Bush said.
The Bush campaign acknowledged earlier Thursday night, after it was reported by a Maine television station, that he was taken into custody by police near his family home in Kennebunkport on Labor Day weekend in 1976.
“I’m the first to say that what I did was wrong and I’ve corrected that,” Bush said. “And I think the people — the people of America will understand that.”
‘Something He Is Not Proud Of’
Bush, who was 30 at the time, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, was fined $150 and his driving privileges were suspended.
Campaign spokesman Dan Bartlett said Bush was driving with his sister, Doro, after celebrating the visit of Australian tennis player John Newcombe, a close friend. Newcombe and his wife also were in the car. According to Bartlett, Bush was driving — very slowly and swerving — in the opposite direction from the arresting officer. The officer turned around to pull Bush over and, after giving him a field test (not a breathalyzer) he was taken to the station.
Under rapid-fire questioning about the incident from reporters Thursday night, Bush repeatedly cast suspicion on the timing of the report.
“It was 24 years ago and that’s the interesting thing about this: Here we are with four days to go in the campaign and we’re discussing what happened 24 years ago,” Bush said. “I’ve got my suspicions… I’ve got my suspicions,” he said later, walking away from the press conference.
