Pubdate: Tue, 11 Sep 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)

BUSH NOMINEE FACES QUESTIONS

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's choice for drug policy director -- a man who 
was a harsh critic of Clinton-era anti-drug policies -- is getting his own 
turn as a target of criticism and questions.

John Walters, whose nomination goes in front of the Senate Judiciary 
Committee on Tuesday, served as acting director in 1993, but quit when 
President Clinton announced a reorientation of anti-narcotics policy, 
de-emphasizing law enforcement and interdiction.

Walters favored strong law enforcement, criticizing the Clinton 
administration's anti-drug advertising campaign and advocating severe 
prison sentences for marijuana smugglers and repeat offenders.

"Instead of finding a compassionate conservative to lead our anti-drug 
efforts, President Bush has selected a man whose views are regarded as 
harsh and extreme even among drug warriors," said Keith Stroup, executive 
director of the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws.

Opponents say that while Walters took a softer line after he was nominated, 
senators still need to probe what he said in the past and what he stands for.

"The Senate must ask about what is on the record and must determine whether 
Walters can rise above his own rhetoric," said Bob Weiner, former spokesman 
for drug policy directors Barry McCaffrey and Lee Brown.

Democratic senators are concerned and plan vigorous questioning of Walters 
during his hearing.

"Mr. Weiner's concerns echo a number of Senator Leahy's concerns about this 
nominee," said Mimi Devlin, spokeswoman for Senate Judiciary Chairman 
Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. "Enforcement is not the only answer. We need to have a 
balanced approach."

Walters, 49, was once the top deputy to William J. Bennett, the elder 
Bush's drug policy director. He has since become president of the 
Philanthropy Roundtable, a conservative association that advises more than 
600 donors to charity. Before that, he was president of the New Citizenship 
Project, which promoted increasing the role of religion in public life.

"A thoughtful review of the complex issues surrounding drug abuse in 
America will demonstrate that John Walters has the knowledge and experience 
needed to be an effective director," White House spokeswoman Anne Womack said.

Republican senators have been pushing for the Senate Judiciary Committee to 
move forward since Bush announced his nomination back in April. They have 
consistently defended Walters' pro-enforcement stance.

An effort by critics to stop Walters "is a purely cynical one, trying to 
portray Mr. Walters as some kind of Stone Age, Neanderthal throwback who is 
out of step with the needs of real drug policy," said Sen. Charles 
Grassley, R-Iowa.

"But the policy they really advocate is to make drugs more widely 
available," said Grassley. "What they object to is that Mr. Walters does 
not accept that. So they have begun a campaign to impugn his character, 
misstate his views and misrepresent the facts and their own goals."

"John Walters' emphasis on targeting both drug supply and demand through 
effective drug treatment programs, and his laudable call for cultural 
leadership in fending off illegal narcotics' assault on our blessed youth, 
will help reverse years of drift in our counter-drug policies," said Sen. 
John McCain, R-Ariz.

Several conservative groups on Monday urged the committee to press Walters 
for assurances that he will address privacy and civil liberty issues in 
drug enforcement. The letter, put together by the Coalition for 
Constitutional Liberties, wants the committee to seek assurances that 
Walters will "ensure that drug policies respect the privacy and civil 
liberties of all Americans."
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