(Bloomberg Politics) — Those interested in a closer look at Jeb Bush's two terms as Florida governor from 1999 to 2007 can now scan thousands of emails posted by American Bridge, an opposition research group and political action committee that focuses on Republicans. The group said it obtained the correspondence through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Florida Department of State.
American Bridge called the emails "the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scrutinizing Jeb's record." The Washington Post first reported on the emails earlier this week.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the emails include messages involving Elian Gonzalez, the young Cuban boy who was returned to his father after his mother drowned while trying to leave the island; Terri Schiavo, a terminally ill woman whose husband pulled her off life support; and the 2000 Florida presidential recount, which ultimately resulted in Bush's brother George becoming president. Not included are any emails containing sensitive or legal information exempt from public records laws, according to American Bridge.
But the database does include many emails from Florida residents who had concerns about health care, disability benefits or long-term care (LTC) services.