Jeb Bush says politically it is very dangerous and could end his career
02/26/2015
Jeb Bush believed he was starting a revolution. "This is huger than huge and bigger than big," wrote Bush in a 1 a.m. email to Sally Bradshaw his chief of staff.
Bush also thought it might cost him a second term as Florida governor.
"If we are unsuccessful . . . I will be Governor for four years whether that is the time I want to serve or not," he wrote to Bradshaw and her husband Paul, a Tallahassee lobbyist.
It was April 27, 1999. A few hours earlier, Bush had learned that a legislative conference committee had approved his sweeping plan to reform education.
"I really don’t think many people understand the significance of our plan passing. In fact, I am certain that they don’t," wrote Bush.
Bush's A+ Plan - the father of Common Core - would become law two months later. Bush's sweeping plan would fundamentally change Florida schools, throw open the doors to state-funded charter schools, make student testing a continuing measure of a school's success, and each Florida school would annually be graded from A to F.
Since the plan's adoption, it has faced withering opposition from teacher unions and school administrators. Parents worry that students are being taught only what they need to know to pass the mandated tests. And as Bush's education philosophy morphed into a national Common Core movement, Republican conservatives would balk fearing a federal takeover of student education.
While Bush could not predict then that he would be a presidential candidate in 2016 forced to defend Common Core and education reform, he did foresee potential political peril.
"I believe it is huge," wrote Bush. "Politically, it is very dangerous."
"It is more than worth the risk," Bush continued. "I think it will work. It is certainly worth the risk!"
Bush closes his wee hour email sounding excited, and perhaps a bit overwhelmed by his success.
"Thank you in making this quiet dream of many years a reality. This is huger than huge and bigger than big. It is the reason why I aspired to be Governor.
"After all of these years of work to achieve my dream, I feel really weird. Weird in a good way but strange nonetheless. We have probably created a revolution and now we will have to lead it. My kind of fun! I hope it is yours as well."
More than 15 years later, opposition to Bush's education reforms continues to grow. While much of it remains intact, elements are being whittled away. This week, Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order doing away with Florida's mandatory test for eleventh graders.
And Bush finds himself on defense as his campaign worries about Republican primary voters who loathe Common Core. Bush is not likely to back down.
The man willing to risk losing a second term as governor will no doubt bring his strong belief in education reform with him if he gets to the White House.
The email is below:
From: Jeb Bush
To: Bradshaw, Sally
Bradshaw Paul
Date: 4/27/1999 1:05:35 AM
Subject: thanks
The A+ conference committee reached agreement tonight. Don Sullivan said he would agree to support the plan.
I really don’t think many people understand the significance of our plan passing. In fact, I am certain that they don’t.
I believe it is huge. Politically, it is very dangerous. If we implement it poorly or if we are unsuccessful in proving that kids, no matter their background, can learn, I will be Governor for four years whether that is the time I want to serve or not.
It is more than worth the risk. I think it will work. It is certainly worth the risk!
Thank you in making this quiet dream of many years a reality. This is huger than huge and bigger than big. It is the reason why I aspired to be Governor. After all of these years of work to achieve my dream, I feel really weird. Weird in a good way but strange nonetheless. We have probably created a revolution and now we will have to lead it. My kind of fun! I hope it is yours as well.
The Bradshaw family unit helped make it happen. Thank you forever and ever.
With love and admiration,
Jeb
Art by Patrick Crowley. Copyright Crowley Political Report.
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