Elder Bush provoked by Clinton 'fun' -- Lockhart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House spokesman Joe Lockhart appeared on CBS's "Late Show" Thursday, downplaying President Clinton's attack last week on Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush as "a little fun."

Clinton's comment last week during a Democratic fund-raiser, in which he called the Republican candidate essentially a spoiled rich boy whose "daddy was president," has prompted a fierce response by former president George Bush and his wife, Barbara, on their son's behalf.

Asked about the unusual public sparring, Lockhart told host David Letterman: "The president went out and poked a little fun at George W. Bush -- which is not a hard thing to do -- and ... his father, being a father, wanted to defend him and he did and we're now on the clock."

The elder Bush put Clinton on notice Monday that he would drop his self-imposed ban on criticizing Clinton if he kept attacking his son.

In an interview with MSNBC on Monday, the former president said, "I'm going to wait a month. ... If he continues that, I'm going to tell the nation what I think about him as a human being and person."

"We've got 28 days and counting to find out what he's going to do," Lockhart said, joking with Letterman about the possible champion prizefight that could ensue between Bush and Clinton.

Asked if there was real enmity between the two, Lockhart quipped, "The president did beat him in 1992. ... But other than that they're fine. They get along well."

Republican pundits and leaders have criticized Clinton's comments, saying they proved that he was more worried than he let on about Texas Gov. George W. Bush winning the election.

But Lockhart said he was confident Vice President Al Gore would prevail and move into the White House in January.

He also spoke about his own job as the president's press secretary, calling it a "great job," but "all-consuming." "What I tell people is that it's the best job I'll ever have, but I can't wait till it's over," he said.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Thursday, August 3, 2000

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