Among the more amusing emails Bush sent early in 1999 was a reply to Carol Markett, a constituent who had written to complain about tractor trailers not being allowed on the left lane of I-75. "By the way, are you really Jeb or a staff member? Just curious." Bush responded briefly the next day: "I am jeb. You can write Secretary Barry at the DOT in Tallahassee." In other early emails, he reminds senior staffers that their correspondence might become public, and he even scolds one deputy when it becomes apparent she is avoiding email as a result.
The vast majority of the emails reflect the mundane work of state government. Bush's style appears typical for an executive—asking his aides and agency heads for status updates, praising good work, and prodding underlings to move faster. One initial preoccupation for the tech-savvy governor was updating the state website. At one point, he forwarded his aides a link to Texas's homepage sent by his brother (g94b@aol.com), then the governor.
Date: Tue, Jan 26, 1999 8:45:18pm
To: Tilley Cory; Bradshaw, Sally
From: "Jeb Bush" <jeb@jeb.org>
FW: FW: help request
We need a major upgrade. When will I see the plan to upgrade our web page and how long will it take. How will it be interactive with the rest of Florida. I believe it should be the leader in the nation. If you disagree come and tell me why. If you agree, help me make it so.
Jeb
-----Original Message-----
From: G94B@aol.com [mailto:G94B@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, January 25, 1999 10:36 PM
To: jeb@jeb.org
Subject: Re: FW: help request
www.governor.state.tx.us look in the inaugural section
Other emails were more revelatory. When an anxious job-seeker, Philip Wilcox, wrote to Bush following up on his interview for an administration post, he wondered whether his being gay would be an issue for the new Republican governor. Bush replied to assure him that his private life wouldn't matter unless it "cross[ed] over into the public policy realm."
Date: Wed, Jan 13, 1999 8:46:51pm
To: Philip Wilcox
From: "Jeb Bush" <jeb@jeb.org>
RE: Anxious
Please be patient. We are overwhelmed but I know that Sally (and me) appreciate your interest in working for us. On the other stuff, don’t ask, don’t tell is fine with me. What you do in your private life is your business. If it crosses over into the public policy realm, then that is another matter. If you are comfortable with that, then we can proceed. If you have concerns, call me and we can discuss. How about that?
While Bush's database at jebbushemails.com is not fully searchable, readers can see all the emails he received and sent on a particular date. In the month prior to the 2000 presidential election, for example, the governor barely mentioned his brother's race against Vice President Al Gore—if Bush discussed politics over email, he did so with a different address. The only references to George W. Bush came when Floridians offered well-wishes to Jeb or asked him to pass along policy ideas to "your brother." But in the month after the election, the Florida recount dominated Bush's inbox, with the emails divided between Democrats demanding the governor order a re-vote in Palm Beach County and Republicans offering encouragement and complaining about Democratic legal tactics. Bush replied more to the supporters than critics, and he hewed closely to his public line that the state would "follow the law." He was also consistent in his defense of Katherine Harris, the widely-criticized Florida secretary of state.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeb Bush"
To: "'Stephen Windhaus'"
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 12:56 PM
Subject: RE: The Palm Beach County Fiasco
Mr. Windhaus, thank you for such a thoughtful email. All that you say about the current situation is true.
I believe in the rule of law. We have elections laws and they need to be
enforced. I believe my brother will win if the law is adhered to. I am
sickened by the "second campaign" now being waged. It degrades our great
state and more importantly, does threaten our democracy.
I am going to save your email as a reminder that there are good decent
people who are very concerned about what is happening to our great and
wondrous country.
*****
Jeb Bush
Date: Sat, Nov 11, 2000 6:33:40am
To: 'Drivinmom@aol.com'
From: "Jeb Bush" <jeb@jeb.org>
RE: voting
I believe we should follow Florida election law rather than making it up as we go along.
Jeb Bush
On the December morning after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush and Gore conceded, Jeb Bush sent thank-you emails to a few lawyers who had advised him on election law during the process. One went to jgroberts@hhlaw.com, the email address of John G. Roberts Jr., whom his brother would appoint to be chief justice five years later.