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Bigoted Joke about a Missing Child Disrespects Lesbians & Calls His Own Political Plans 'Devious' Tells Media: 'I was Speaking Privately…Taken Out of Context'
Bush's true political nature was revealed when he said that he had "a couple of devious plans" to combat a popular November 5 citizens' ballot petition that would limit class sizes in Florida's public schools. Gubernatorial candidate Bob Kunst, who is sharing Jeb Bush's spotlight on the November 5 ballot, told GayToday: "Bush says he has these devious plans. He's devious, period. All his plans are devious. That's how he functions on every issue. Why is this news? The real question is this: could that GOP gofer in Democrats' clothing, McBush (McBride) be any better?" Bush, when confronted with the evidence of his hubris, insisted that his comments had been taken out of context and that he meant no disrespect for lesbians. His attempts to explain himself, however, were met with rampant skepticism. Sen. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, scoffed: "Our governor has gone from doublespeak to outright lies in his descent from Orwellian to Nixonian tactics." "We are finally seeing the real Jeb Bush that has lurked behind closed doors," observed a Democratic Party state leader, "mean spirited and deceptive." "Bush's comments were the kind of childish, locker-room homophobia all too prevalent on school campuses," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, the statewide GLBT organization. "They are not the kind of statements nor sentiments we should expect from the highest elected official in the state. His comments have the potential to send a dangerous message to those who run Florida's child welfare system, a message that disparages lesbian and gay childcare workers and foster parents." The Human Rights Campaign called on to apologize for what the organization called "insensitive, homophobic remarks he made about two are givers of a missing girl who were arrested this week on allegations of welfare fraud." "While Bush is giving 'juicy details', the details that people want to hear about are where is Rilya Wilson and what can Florida do to improve the health and welfare of its children?" said HRC National Field Director Seth Kilbourn. "Bush should apologize for his insensitive remarks and focus on the real issue that affect the lives of Floridians." |
Gov. Jeb Bush: Sticks his foot in his mouth with bigoted joke about a missing baby