Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush tells WHAS11 News he is "not running for President."
The Republican's name has been widely circulated in recent weeks as a potential contender in the 2012 race. A Jeb Bush candidacy would perpetuate the Bush political dynasty which includes the presidencies of his father and brother.
Bush is in Louisville to speak about education reform at the National Conference of State Legislatures. His Tuesday morning appearance is to highlight Florida's success improving students' educational performance, particularly Latino students.
Bush hosted a fundraiser on Monday in Louisville for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul, who is a critic of U.S. education policy being directed by the federal government, rather than in local communities and states. While Bush said that Florida's education success is the product of state initiative, he complimented President Barack Obama's contribution to education policy.
Introducing Bush to the conference, NCSL President Don Balfour called Bush a "true pro" who "did not abandon reforms in tough times, but reversed a generation of decline."
"We were in really bad shape," Bush said in his remarks to the conference, saying - at one point - the state did a better job of tracking library books than student performance.
"All kids can learn. Period. Exclamation point," Bush said to applause.
"If kids aren't learning, the fault is with the adults not the students," Bush continued. He said education is the key to solving social problems.
