Democrats Disclose Details of Bush DUI

George W. Bush is now being attacked for his criminal background, as well as his leadership experience and grasp of foreign and domestic issues. The "scoop" was not first reported by the Gore camp - it came from a Democratic National Convention attendee and Democratic activist Tom Connolly. After accepting responsibility as having been the source of the story, Connolly denied that it was an eleventh hour attempt to smear Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush. Members of the Bush campaign have pointed to the story as a desperate attempt by Gore campaign to sway undecided voters in the final days leading up to November 7.

In 1976, a then single George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and pleaded guilty to those charges. His record had since been expunged and he has not had a drink of alcohol in over 14 years. "I do find it interesting that it's come out four or five days before the election," Bush said Thursday night during a news conference that was called to address the issue.

Many political observers feel this revelation, at this stage of the campaign, may prove to hurt Al Gore more than it helps him. At this point in the race, personal background no longer seems to be a real issue – that is something that is addressed in the primaries and before. Either way, it adds simply one more topic of debate during the hottest presidential race in nearly 40 years.