ASHINGTON - Gary Bauer, the Christian conservative candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, yesterday adamantly denied rumors that he has had an affair with a campaign staff member.
''The core idea of this rumor campaign is that I have violated the vows I made to my wife 27 years ago. These rumors and character assassination are disgusting, outrageous, evil, and sick.'' Bauer said at a news conference. ''I have not violated my vows.''
Bauer accused another campaign of promoting the rumors, but he refused to say which one. His aides, however, identified the organization of magazine heir Steve Forbes as being behind the rumors. Bill Dal Col, Forbes's campaign manager, said anyone who promoted such rumors would be dismissed.
Forbes and Bauer are battling to become the conservative challenger to the front-runner, Governor George W. Bush of Texas. The rumor concerning Bauer would be devastating if proven to be true. It would also cause problems for Forbes if it were proven his aides have been promoting false stories.
