Washington- The White House lashed out yesterday at the "former" Bush family friend who secretly tape-recorded http://adultfyi.com/read.aspx?ID=8332 the future President discussing sensitive issues like gays and drug use.
Even though aides insisted there was little damaging information on the tapes, they made no effort to hide the fact that President Bush felt betrayed by conservative author Doug Wead.
"These were casual conversations with someone whom the President considered, or believed to be, a friend," said White House spokesman Ken Lisaius.
Wead insisted he made the tapes - from 1998 to 2000 - for a book because he believed Bush would become a "pivotal figure in history," like "Churchill or Gandhi."
"I had a choice to either write propaganda about the Bushes or write accurately and fairly based on what I knew," Wead told ABC's "Good Morning America."
Wead said his publisher insisted on listening to the tapes to confirm anonymous sources he cited in his new book. The New York Times then got wind of the tapes, Wead said, and it "all became unraveled."
The tapes, which were made as Bush considered a run for the White House, offer a fascinating and unvarnished glimpse at the most powerful man in the world.
The then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush talks at length about rumors of his past drug use and all but admits using marijuana during his youthful party days.
He also says he won't "kick gays," a reference to demands from evangelical Christians that he more vigorously contest the gay community's agenda.
The disclosures could weaken support for Bush with his conservative base - and crack his renowned aura of predictability and discipline.
"It ought to be damaging," said Baruch College political scientist Doug Muzzio. "It's hypocritical to say one thing now but to have said other things ... in the past."
A senior Democratic operative added, "Put aside the admission of drug use, his comments about gays are certainly not going to energize his base."
Bush also showed a rarely seen nasty streak toward rivals on both sides of the partisan divide. He branded Al Gore a liar and insisted Sen. John McCain's star would dim.
But he also described "the five turning points in my life. Accepting Christ. Marrying my wife. Having children. Running for governor. And listening to my mother."
