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Bush brushes off questions about his intelligence on CNN's "Larry King Live"
December 17, 1999 WASHINGTON -- GOP presidential front-runner George W. Bush said Thursday he is unconcerned by swirling questions about his intellectual capacity, saying he sees them as "just another phase" in the campaign. "I just ignore it, because I know I've got confidence in my capabilities," Bush said during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live." Bush added, "It'll pass and there'll be another phase. But I'd rather be underestimated in politics than not." The governor said that the issue first erupted during his 1994 challenge to then-incumbent Texas Gov. Ann Richards (D). "They ignored the fact that I went to Yale and Harvard, and said my intelligence was (not) heavy enough to handle the job and I won," Bush said. "I love to be underestimated." The recent rash of questions surrounding Bush's intelligence erupted in the wake of a foreign policy pop quiz -- sprung on Bush by a Boston Globe reporter -- in which Bush confused the names of foreign leaders and countries. To add, Bush has been accused of being too scripted during the first two GOP debates, although he received better reviews after Monday night's event in Des Moines, Iowa. Bush told Larry King that during Monday's debate, he misunderstood a question asking him to name his favorite political philosopher. Bush answered "Christ," which led some to speculate he was attempting to either appease the religious right or inject his religious beliefs into the campaign. "I interpreted it to mean who had the most influence on my life. Christ has," Bush said. "This is what George W. Bush is about and if you really are interested in knowing about me, this is important for people to know about me." Although New Hampshire polls indicate Bush's chief GOP rival, Arizona Sen. John McCain, is leading in the primary race, Bush said he was not worried. "It's just going to be a tough race," he said. Weighing in on whether the father of Elian Gonzalez -- the Cuban boy whose mother drowned while trying to journey from Cuba to Florida -- should be granted a visa to visit his son, Bush said: "I just think it's important to give the dad a whiff of freedom; let him come to the U.S. under no pretense." McCain has taken a similar position. Bush refused to talk about reports that he had used drugs, saying only that he has not engaged in any such activities since 1974. "Here's what people need to know about me: I'm going to bring honor and dignity, that I've learned from mistakes made, that I am prepared to send a message of personal responsibility, and that's what I'm going to do," Bush said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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MORE STORIES:Friday, December 17, 1999
• Clinton's impeachment: One year later, a defining moment fades from the national consciousness • Bush brushes off questions about his intelligence on CNN's "Larry King Live" • VIDEO: Religious leaders analyze Bush's proclamation of faith • Bush: Hoping to clinch GOP nomination by March • Tripp lawyer signals possible delay in trial • McCain defends campaign finance proposal • Clinton signs law to help disabled workers • Alexander writes off campaign debt with personal funds • Donors treated to dinner as Democrats plot comeback • Distinctions between Bush, Gore followers easily seen at dueling fund-raisers • Giuliani maintains slight poll lead, but some don't like • Hillary and Rosie talk cookies, not politics • Hatch outlines plans for short-, long-term tax changes • Forbes attacks Clinton-Gore health care plan as 'Soviet-style' • Lawyer: Gingrich, wife reach confidential settlement in divorce | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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