
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 27, 1991                   TAG: 9102270204
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

DRUG CZAR NOMINEE DENIES POSITION A `POLITICAL PAYOFF'

Former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez fenced with Democratic senators on Tuesday over whether his nomination as the nation's drug policy adviser was a "political payoff" for an out-of-work Republican with questionable credentials for the post.

Martinez said he accepted President Bush's invitation to become director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy not "for the purpose of earning a living. I'm here because I believe in this very deeply."

But Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned his drug-fighting record, saying the problem has only grown worse in Florida after four years of emphasis on prison building and harsh law-and-order policies rather than treatment and prevention campaigns.

Martinez, under oath, rebutted old and new allegations about his background that have trailed him from Florida. Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Del., said he found old allegations of bribery and perjury "not of sufficient substance" to keep Martinez from the drug post.

On the issue of gun control, Martinez affirmed that he opposes banning domestically made assault-style firearms, but said he supports a waiting period so a potential gun purchaser's background can be checked. However, he said that should be left up to the states, and not be made a federal law.

Describing himself as coming from a "blue-collar, ethnic background" in which he was taught to work "very early in life," Martinez told the senators, "I've never needed a job."

"Had I not been offered this position, quite frankly, I probably would have been out of public life," said Martinez, a one-term governor nominated after losing his re-election bid. The president had made several campaign appearances on his behalf, and his campaign chairman was Jeb Bush, one of the president's sons.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, defended Martinez. "I don't know of anybody in this country who has the potential to do this job better than you do," Hatch said.

Under questioning by Biden, Martinez vowed to keep partisan politics out of the job. "I will never mix the politics with this office," Martinez said, but he said he would campaign for Bush's re-election if the president sought his help.

Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., who had said in an opening statement, "I want to make sure this is not a political payoff," said later that he would vote against the nomination unless Martinez gives a firm commitment to divorce himself from partisan politics.

"He did not answer my question about being above the political fray satisfactorily," Simon said.

Under questioning by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Martinez declared his support of drug treatment. He said Florida had the first center dedicated to drug treatment in its state prison system and that it had devoted extensive funds for pregnant women who are drug abusers.

Asked whether he supports "treatment on demand," Martinez said, "Everyone that wants treatment ought to have it."

by CNB