TAMPA -- Former Florida governor Jeb Bush
used his prime-time spotlight at the Republican National Convention Thursday to
pass a symbolic torch to his party’s nominees, defend his brother, and urge the
nation to rededicate its promise of an equal education for all.
But before he began his prepared remarks,
he said he had to get something off his chest — the defense of his brother,
former President George W. Bush.
“He is a man of integrity, courage and honor and during incredibly
challenging times, he kept us safe,’’ he said to loud applause. “So Mr.
President [Obama], Mr. President, it is about time to stop blaming your
predecessor for your failed economic policies. . . . In the fourth year of your
presidency, a real leader would accept responsibility for his actions, and you
haven’t done it.”
Bush spent most of his 15-minute speech
focused on the need to reform education, an issue he has devoted himself to
since retiring as governor in 2007. Working through the Foundation for
Excellence in Education, he has pushed for expanding school choice and
classroom accountability.
“If we want to continue to be the greatest nation on the planet, we
must give our kids what we promise them: an equal opportunity,’’ he said. “That
starts in the classroom. It starts in our communities. It starts where you
live.”
He interspersed his remarks about education
with introductions of teacher Sean Duffy from Del Valle High School in Texas
and Frantz Placide, a 2006 graduate of Archbishop Curley Notre Dame in Miami,
who had received an opportunities scholarship.
“There are many reasons to believe America’s future is bright, but
also reasons to worry,’’ said Bush, noting that the United States ranked 17th
in science and 25th in math among the world’s 34 most advanced nations.
He pointed to other education reform-minded
governors, gave a shout-out to Gov. Rick Scott, and said that through their
efforts “more students are reading on grade level, passing rigorous college
prep courses and graduating from high school.”
“Gov. Romney gets it,’’ Bush said. “He believes parents — regardless
of zip code or income — should be able to send their child to the school that
fits them best. That has set him against some entrenched interests. There are
many people who say they support strong schools but draw the line at school
choice.”
He admonished school choice opponents: “I
have a simple message for these masters of delay and deferral: Choose,’’ he
said. “You can either help the politically powerful unions. Or you can help the
kids.”
Bush has repeatedly scolded the party
officials and warned they could lose the Hispanic vote for a generation. He
urged them to shift from the punitive approach to immigration to one that
welcomes diversity and legal immigration. At Bush’s urging, the campaign used
the convention to shift course, inviting Hispanic leaders and governor to give
prime time speeches and showcasing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.
Although the platform committee included a
hard-line immigration plank that calls for mandatory E-verify programs, an end
to so-called sanctuary cities and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants at
public universities, the convention speakers steered clear from the tough
rhetoric.
On Thursday, Bush said the Romney campaign
had listened. “I’m pleased with the convention and the understanding of the
Romney campaign that tone does matter,’’ he told The Miami Herald.
Bush’s appearance also cemented his role as
elder statesman and marked a new chapter as a Romney surrogate.
The former governor was also the sole of
voice of the Bush family to appear on stage. Neither his brother, the former
president, or his father, former president George H.W. Bush, attended the
convention. They opted instead to be featured in a video shown to the crowd on
Tuesday night.
"My dad can’t walk. He’s 88,’’ Bush
told The Herald. "My brother is smart enough. He could be a target of the
Obama hit machine, so he’s keeping a low profile."
Jeb Bush’s sons, George P. and Jeb Bush
Jr., were in attendance throughout the week, either serving as surrogates for
Romney or advocating for stronger Hispanic outreach.
Bush acknowledged he spent the week
significantly raising his national profile, appearing on more network,
newspaper and cable interviews than the media-reticent celebrity has ever done.
“I was asked by the Romney campaign and I accepted more press
interaction than I normally do,’’ Bush said Thursday. “I want them to win.”
But, he added, “after tonight, I’m going
back into the bat cave.”
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