ES MOINES - Publisher Steve Forbes rips into Governor George W. Bush of Texas in new campaign commercials that attack Bush for not being aggressive enough on tax overhaul. Bush aides worried the spots, though limited to radio, could set the stage for yet another round of attack politics in the GOP presidential campaign. The radio commercials began airing yesterday in New Hampshire and Iowa and quote conservative news organizations raising questions about Bush's commitment to the issues. ''We're making sure the voters very clearly see the differences between Steve and the governor,'' said Bill Dal Col, a Forbes strategist. (AP)
TV station describes little choice on ads
MANCHESTER, N.H. - New Hampshire's biggest television news station had no choice about running an ad by a Florida lawyer that says Governor George W. Bush of Texas used cocaine and suffered from ''alcohol abuse,'' even if the allegations are false, federal officials said yesterday. Andy Martin, a West Palm Beach lawyer and perennial candidate for various political offices, is running the ad on WMUR-TV, an ABC affiliate that has aired presidential debates. A Federal Communications Commission official said yesterday the station has no choice but to accept the ad if it is paid for by a qualified candidate for federal office and the candidate appears in the ad. (AP)
Hillary Clinton eyes new ratings system
OYSTER BAY, N.Y. - Hillary Rodham Clinton proposed a uniform ratings system for TV, movies, and video games yesterday, complaining that the current mix of systems is too confusing for parents. ''In whatever medium it appears, violence is violence,'' she said. ''Parents need clear guidance and not alphabet soup.'' Mrs. Clinton's suggestion came at the start of an hour-long youth violence forum she moderated at the Boys' and Girls' Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, on Long Island's north shore. (AP)
First lady's aides deny difficulties
ALBANY, N.Y. - While published reports say she may have already raised anywhere from $8 million to $10 million for her Senate race, aides to Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday refused to talk about it. They did deny Republican speculation that the first lady was having trouble keeping up with her finance committee's goal of taking in $25 million for the race that is expected to pit her against Republican Rudolph Giuliani. (AP)
