Jeb Bush jokes people of San Francisco may be endangered

The subject was environmental land and Bush was looking at a map showing locations with a lot of different wildlife.

"It looks like the people of San Francisco are an endangered species, which may not be a bad thing. That's probably good news for the country."

People in the room broke into laughter

"Did I just say that out loud?" the governor asked.

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown wasn't too worried by the comment, according to spokesman P.J. Johnston.

"When he finally stopped laughing, he said, 'I'm sure this is a tongue-in-cheek comment. I'd feel a little better if the governor would send me one of his alligators; I've got a supervisor that needs companionship,'" Johnston said.

Johnston also said he didn't think residents of San Francisco would be much disturbed by what the governor said.

"By and large San Franciscans have a good sense of humor and will not be dreadfully offended," Johnston said, adding that he wished people in politics would also "lighten up."

But the head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force didn't see anything funny in the governor's comment and believed it to be anti-gay because of San Francisco's large gay population.

"It's extremely insulting," said Matt Foreman. "But of course I would say that gay people in Florida are far more endangered than gay people in California."

Bush told reporters he was just joking and added another quip: "Don't call Willie Brown."

Bush spokesman Jacob DiPietre later explained the governor's thinking: "The Cabinet was talking about endangered species and everyone knows that Republicans are an endangered species in California."

Bush has been amused by California before. In mid-August, the topic was Gary Coleman, the former child actor who jumped into the California gubernatorial recall race.

"I'm glad that Gary Coleman lives in California," Bush said. "A guy like me that believes in limited government probably would have a tough time against a fellow like that because he probably symbolizes smaller government."

Coleman took the comment in stride.

"I don't know about Jeb Bush," he said. "But if I become governor, I will represent the little guys, the people that big people tend to step on when they want to get somewhere."



© 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.