Jeb Bush wants Republicans to know that he is a social conservative.
It’s a an element of the former Florida governor’s political biography that might be obscured by his reputation for centrism or his preference for measured rhetoric over applause lines that excite the conservative base. Some Republicans, at least, are taking notice.
“I was proud that he put it out there, because you want to know who we’re putting into that White House. And that way, I’ll feel better about it, actually,” said Kenny Harbison, 58, a conservative activist from Albertville, Ala., who confessed that he had been unaware of Bush’s views or past record on social issues.
Harbison, who runs his own construction company, was in Washington for a few days to attend the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, which Bush addressed on Friday.
Bush, who declared for president Monday after six months of hinting at a White House bid, approached his appearance before a packed ballroom of social conservatives as an opportunity to change perceptions. Rather than deliver his standard political stump speech, Bush told the gathering that he wanted to discuss his religious faith and how it shapes his governing philosophy.
Conservative activists often tag Bush with the “moderate” label. This is because of his support for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to legal residency for illegal immigrants and the multistate education standards known as Common Core, as well as the fact he is the son and brother of presidents that Republicans don’t necessarily remember fondly.
Based on Bush’s record as governor of Florida, however, he’s hardly a squish.
That’s especially true on social issues. Even in terms of temperament, Bush can be aggressive on these matters. During his speech, the presidential contender mocked politicians who profess religious faith but won’t let it impact their agenda and proudly recalled his role in the Terri Schiavo affair, among the most controversial episodes of his tenure in Tallahassee.
“Sometimes people are asked about this question, about people that are aspiring to public life, or people that are serving, they’re asked whether you’ll allow your decisions in government to be influenced by your faith,” Bush said. “And, whenever I hear this, I know, typically, the answer that they want to hear is: ‘No, never, of course not; gosh, I would never do that.’ Because in the game of political correctness, that’s the answer that gets you to the next level.”
“The [result] is a certain kind of politician that we’ve all heard before — the guy whose moral convictions are … so deeply personal that he refuses to impose them even on himself,” he continued. “Well, that’s not me.”
Bush’s decision to bring up Schiavo was notable because there are many Republicans who have looked back on those events as politically damaging to the national party. The chapter became a major national issue that enveloped Congress and the White House when Bush’s brother was president of the United States.
Schiavo was a Florida woman living in a severely mentally impaired state for years following a brain damage suffered from during a sudden and extended heart stoppage. When her husband sought to have her feeding tube removed after several years, Bush joined Schiavo’s parents and sought to intervene legally to prevent this.
Bush said Friday that he has no regrets.
“I insisted that we build a culture of life, from beginning to end,” Bush said, regarding his gubernatorial administration. “When I was asked to intervene on behalf of a woman who could not speak up for herself, I stood on her side — I stood on the side of Terri Schiavo.”
On that note, the group interrupted Bush with some of the heartiest applause he received at different points in the speech. The crowd might have walked away with a much higher opinion of the Floridian than before they listened to him on Friday. Does it mean they’re ready to nominate him to represent their party on the ballot in November 2016? Only time will tell.
“I think he’s a real good man. I don’t know that I’ll vote for him yet, though,” Harbison said.
Disclosure: The author’s wife works as an adviser to Scott Walker.
