Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) quickly walked back earlier comments that he was “not sure we need half a billion dollars for women’s health issues.”
His presidential campaign posted a statement online Tuesday evening saying Bush “misspoke” with the remarks:
With regards to women’s health funding broadly, I misspoke, as there are countless community health centers, rural clinics, and other women’s health organizations that need to be fully funded. They provide critical services to all, but particularly low-income women who don’t have the access they need.
I was referring to the hard-to-fathom $500 million in federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood – an organization that was callously participating in the unthinkable practice of selling fetal organs. Democrats and Republicans agree we absolutely must defund them and redirect those funds to other women’s health organizations.
There was brief confusion over the statement due to discrepancies between a version sent to reporters and one posted online, which was taken down within minutes.
Huh— “I misspoke” is not in the version of Jeb statement emailed out to reporters. It’s online here https://t.co/IVwuU7SfPb
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 4, 2015
And now the Jeb “I misspoke” statement is down https://t.co/XE2PvDSR2n
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 4, 2015
Bush spox clarifies they sent a draft version. Final, correct, version includes “I misspoke”
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 4, 2015
Bush made the initial comment when asked about Republicans’ efforts to defund Planned Parenthood over a series of “sting” videos targeting the organizations. A Senate bill that was blocked Monday would have diverted to other healthcare providers the $500 million in federal funding Planned Parenthood receives for non-abortion services.
Remember when people thought he was the smart one?
You’re a Bush. We automatically assume you “misspoke” until proven otherwise.
Oops!
Jeb! went onto note - I demanded tax dollars pay for health care that was consistent with my personal religious beliefs for a brain dead woman in Florida. Today Katherine Harris is still alive!
That would be only two! senate “Democrats” Joe Donnelly and Joe Manchin, and just a few in the house. Damn these assholes for allowing Jeb! to use the bipartisan, faux centrist trope.