Pubdate: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Copyright: 1999 San Jose Mercury News Contact: 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190 Fax: (408) 271-3792 Website: http://www.sjmercury.com/ EX-PRESIDENT DECRIES ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BUSH WASHINGTON - Former President Bush said Tuesday that he is proud of son George W. Bush for being "willing and strong enough to take the heat" of allegations that arise during the course of a presidential campaign. The ex-president was reacting to drug-related allegations about his son included in a new biography, "Fortunate Son," by J.H. Hatfield. He called the allegations "a vicious lie." Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the front-runner for the 2000 GOP presidential nomination, said Monday, "It's totally ridiculous what he said and it's not true." In a statement issued by his Houston office, the ex-president criticized the author's use of anonymous sources. "He has insulted our son's character, and my character, and I resent it," Bush said. "This kind of nasty, groundless attack is the reason that many good people are unwilling to enter politics. I am proud that George is willing and strong enough to take the heat even in the face of this kind of mindless garbage." The book alleges that the younger Bush was arrested for cocaine possession in 1972 but that the matter was dropped after he performed community service arranged by his father. The book's allegations are based on anonymous sources. The book is at odds with other accounts of Bush's life and the Texas court system. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D