NEW YORK - The White House has lashed out at the former Bush family friend who secretly taped the future President discussing sensitive issues such as gays and drug use.
Author Doug 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".
Wead said his publisher insisted on listening to the tapes to confirm anonymous sources. The New York Times then got wind of the tapes, Wead said, and it "all unravelled".
Bush all but admits using cannabis as a youth on the tapes.
"I wouldn't answer the marijuana question. I don't want some kid doing what I tried," Bush purportedly says.
He also said he would not "kick gays", a reference to demands from evangelical Christians that he more vigorously contest the gay community's agenda.
Even though Bush's aides insisted the tapes did little damage, they said he felt betrayed by Wead.
"These were casual conversations with someone whom the President believed to be a friend," said White House spokesman Ken Lisaius.
A Democrat source said the gay comments would "not energise" supporters.
- REUTERS
Bush tape leak attacked
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