Blacks ‘Make Sacrifice’ to Work With Him, a Teary Jeb Bush Says

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —  Gov. Jeb Bush wept before a black Baptist education group Friday as he introduced minority staffers and appointees he said have been ridiculed by other blacks for associating with him.

Bush’s decision to abolish affirmative action in university admissions and state contracting prompted marches and demonstrations, including a sit-in by black lawmakers in the governor’s office suite last year.

Bush said he feels hurt by the criticism, not for himself but for people such as Leslie Steele, one of his press aides, and Lottery Secretary David Griffin, both black. Afterward, Bush said he teared up when he looked at Steele in the audience. “I saw her and I decided to speak from my heart about it,” Bush said.

He had asked that Steele come to the lectern. When she did, she handed him a tissue that he used to wipe his eyes. “I’m not crying for me,” Bush told Steele. “I’m crying for you, Leslie, and others who have to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

Bush said the criticism is unfair because his initiative that replaced affirmative action has increased black enrollment at universities. He also said that minority contracting with agencies that he controls is up about 90% and that his administration is the most diverse in Florida history.

However, white as well as black enrollment at universities increased last fall, leaving the percentage of blacks about the same.

The Republican governor received a standing ovation when he was introduced at the Southern Regional Conference of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and again when he finished speaking.