McCain Gets Boost From Bush's Troubles / Senator greeted warmly at Commonwealth Club

John McCain, Presidential candidate speaks to the Chronicle Editorial Board. Chronicle Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice John McCain, Presidential candidate speaks to the Chronicle Editorial Board. Chronicle Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close McCain Gets Boost From Bush's Troubles / Senator greeted warmly at Commonwealth Club 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Republican presidential hopeful Senator John McCain found himself the object of some new interest yesterday -- in part because of the current troubles of front-runner George W. Bush, now being dogged by questions about whether he used cocaine in the past.

McCain was met by a standing ovation in a speech before 800 Commonwealth Club of California members at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Francisco, where he unveiled to the tech-savvy audience a proposal to boost the number of visas for skilled foreign high-tech workers.

He appeared on a radio talk show and also addressed The Chronicle's editorial board.

But in a campaign day which keenly illustrated the ripple effects of the Bush controversy, McCain was repeatedly pressed at each appearance about the Texas governor's handling of questions about possible past drug use.

Bush told reporters yesterday that he could have passed drug tests when his father, George Bush, became president in 1989. Later, his campaign expanded on that statement, effectively ruling out Bush's use of illegal drugs since 1974, when he was 28.

That left other presidential hopefuls like McCain, campaigning a coast away, fielding questions ranging from whether the commander in chief should be held to the same standards as his subordinates (yes), to whether Bush should answer the question (it depends).

The growing discussion of Bush's past was reflected in the views of some voters who came to hear McCain, citing the controversy as a factor in their changing views of the front-runner.

Republican loyalist Virginia Stafford of Moraga said she traveled to hear McCain's Commonwealth Club speech yesterday in part because "Bush's demeanor is beginning to bug me."

In his handling of the drug question, "he seems short-tempered, and I don't think he's going to handle the tough problems with what's required," she said. "I think McCain's terrific."

"Bush is trying too hard to be Mr. Personality," said Joan Herron of Pacific Heights, who also came to hear the Arizona senator. "I want to hear the issues debated. . . . It irritates me that (Bush is) being carried in by way of money."

Indeed, as the national discussion about Bush revved up, some political insiders in rival camps were all but licking their chops.

"Seven years, 15 years, 25 years," said one GOP strategist. "I guess the stuff really does affect your memory."

"He cannot continue to take the Fifth (Amendment) and get away with it," said Democratic Party campaign adviser Bob Mulholland. "He's probably trying to remember what happened."

For his part, McCain admitted to being "very uncomfortable" with the continual questions of Bush. "The media and the American people have the right to make a judgment about him . . . (but) the governor is entitled to privacy."

"I've done things in my life I'm not proud of. . . . I'm a believer in redemption, and my life has been less than exemplary in many respects," he said.

"I'm responsible for the breakup of my first marriage . . . but I don't want to go into the details," he told KGO's Ronn Owens.

But asked at The Chronicle editorial board meeting if the cocaine question was a fair one for a presidential candidate, McCain, 63, said he had never used cocaine.

But "in my case, (it) was a no-brainer. I grew up in the military. I was in prison when most of this stuff was going on," said McCain, referring to the 5 1/2 years he spent as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. "So it's almost unfair. . . . I was never tempted. In all candor, if everybody around me were using cocaine, I hope to God I wouldn't have used it . . . but I wasn't subject to that temptation."

But McCain said, "The American people and the media will somehow sort this whole thing out -- what is private, what is public, and what determines the qualifications of the president of the United States."

JOHN McCAIN: IN HIS OWN WORDS

-- On abortion: "I'd love to see a point where (Roe vs. Wade) is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to (undergo) illegal and dangerous operations." McCain said he would support legislation banning abortions in the third trimester.

-- On comments by presidential hopeful Orrin Hatch that the GOP should be proud "we don't have the gays and lesbians with us": "That, in no way, reflects the view of the Republicans whose support I seek. I believe we, as the Republican Party, should be the party of Abraham Lincoln." He said he would "absolutely" support gays and lesbian appointments in his Cabinet and would not discriminate on the basis of race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

-- On his proposal to expand H-1B visas for high- tech workers: "I am calling for a large-scale expansion of the H-1B program, to make sure that qualified individuals from around the world can come to this country and achieve their own American dream." McCain added he has heard concerns that Silicon Valley companies are simply refusing to pay sufficient wages to skilled American workers, saying "that ought to be looked at . . . (to see) if this is some kind of high-level sweatshop operation."

-- On his possible withdrawal from the Iowa Caucuses: "The reason why I'm considering not going is because New Hampshire is the first secret ballot. Iowa is a caucus, where people go down and listen to speeches for hours, and then raise their hands . . . so you can argue that . . . it's not totally representative of Republicans. I have a certain amount of time and assets to devote. And we're going to have to make a decision very soon as to whether we'll go or not."

-- Asked if he was beginning to "smell blood in the water" with regard to the media's attitude toward George W. Bush: "I smelled some blood in the speeches he gave in Iowa. . . . You've got to be a lot more specific (on policy). . . . I've decided to be as specific as I can as a candidate."