Bilingual Ed. Critic's Comments About Paige Spark Racism Charges

By Michelle R. Davis

Washington

Bilingual education opponent Ron K. Unz tried to explain his words early this month after finding himself in hot water for questioning the qualifications of Secretary of Education Rod Paige, indirectly linking that appraisal to Mr. Paige's race.

But the California businessman stopped short of an apology for calling Mr. Paige, in an e-mail, the "dimmest member" of President Bush's Cabinet and saying the secretary was hired because he is black.

"I'd be the first one to admit my comments were quite, quite insensitive," Mr. Unz said in an interview. "But everything in that e-mail is based on what I'd...