Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Peter Jennings) Opinions on use of marijuana by Supreme Court nominee Doug. Ginsburg reported Secretary of Educ. William Bennett noted calling for Ginsburg's withdrawal. Federal government workers union noted accusing President Reagan of double standard in calling for drug tests for federal employees while saying Ginsburg's use of marijuana was youthful indiscretion. Report introduced.

(DC: Kenneth Walker) Reagan said refusing to withdraw nomination [REAGAN - says Ginsburg's marijuana use was just experimentation.] Response from White House officials detailed. Failure of FBI background checks to disclose marijuana use noted. Some Ginsburg associates said revealing that Ginsburg's marijuana use extended longer than time period previously stated. High visibility of campaign against drugs by President and Nancy Reagan mentioned. [September 14, 1986, REAGAN - says drugs are menacing our society.] [Nancy REAGAN - says just say no.] Nancy's statement that she was sorry Ginsburg used pot noted. Issue of withdrawal of nomination if allegations not explained fully reiterated.

(DC: John Martin) Mtg. of FBI agents with Ginsburg's former business partner reported [Harvard Law School Hal SCOTT - says he knows of only 1 occasion on which Ginsburg smoked marijuana.] FBI said admitting not having asked Ginsburg about drug use during their background investigation. Ginsburg noted having answered Senator Judiciary Committee questionnaire that he personally tried 34 cases in court when he really only tried one, according to Justice Department report [Attorney General Edwin MEESE - says FBI investigation has not been completed.] Ginsburg nomination noted thrown into serious jeopardy.

(Studio: Peter Jennings) Report introduced.

(DC: Brit Hume) Capitol Hill's response to revelation of Ginsburg's pot-smoking reported Ginsburg shown meeting with Senator Howard Metzenbaum. [Senators Arlen SPECTER, Dennis DeCONCINI, Howell HEFLIN - say issue is a problem.] Senator Robert Byrd said suggesting Ginsburg consider withdrawing. [BYRD - wonders what image this gives to American youth.] Dismay expressed by Senator Larry Pressler over Ginsburg's denial of problems in his background mentioned. [PRESSLER - says he couldn't defend use of marijuana.] [Senator John McCAIN - says issue is harmful to Ginsburg.]