Bush still backs Tower

Press, 1 March 1989, Page 10

Bush still backs Tower

NZPA-Reuter Washin? ’ton President Bush was i; irging senators yesterday to approve John Tower i as Defence Secretary alter Republican leadi ars huddled for more th an two hours with the noi ’ ninee at a late-night Wti ite House strategy session. -i “Nobody’s giving u| :),” said the Republican Se ■ nate leader, Robert Doi le, on emerging from the session with the White Horn se chief of staff, Joi tn Sununu, and others. i “We’d like to find soni e v way to keep the talkin j g going and see how we ca n resolve this,” he said. Mr Bush, striving to sal 1vage Mr Tower’s nomina .- tion. after allegation s against him of drinking ? and womanising, invitee 1 wavering senators to meei t him at the White House in i a bid to sway votes in i what may be a bitter •

Senate showdown. “The strategy is go all the way to the mat, and there will be a vote,” said Senator John Warner, of Virginia, the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

Although Mr Tower left the White House without talking with reporters, the two senators insisted he was determined to fight for his nomination and meet any senator who wanted to discuss the allegations raised against him.

Mr Bush, who returned home from a five-day trip to Asia yesterday was scheduled to court about a dozen senators — including several conservative Democrats — on the eve of a Senate debate over the controversial nomination.

As he flew back to Washington, Mr Bush

brushed aside attacks against Mr Tower, telling reporters on Air Force One that his nominee was “the best man for the job, knowledge, defence matters... and no one’s challenged his qualifications.”

Mr Tower has been nagged by allegations of being a heavy drinker and philanderer — along with ethical questions about his accepting more than $U5750,000 ($1,250,000) to represent defence contractors in recent years.

The Pentagon is facing a continued probe into a scandal involving military procurement procedures. Mr Tower has denied any impropriety, and went so far as to pledge never to drink any alcohol during his term at the Pentagon if he becomes Defence Secretary. The Senate Armed Services Committee, a panel the diminutive Mr Tower once headed, voted 11-9 last week to recommend the full Senate to reject the choice of Mr Tower to hold one of the most important posts in official Washington.