Bush Calls For More Minority Business Aid

Escalating his campaign forays into traditionally Democratic territory, Vice President George Bush subtly broke ranks with the Reagan Administration Sunday and called for increased federal financing for minority-owned businesses to “include those who have been excluded.”

Speaking to several hundred graduates of 101-year-old, historically black Central State University here, the vice president pleaded for support from the black community by emphasizing his backing for a “positive civil rights agenda” and economic inclusion.

“We must bring black Americans and other minorities into the free enterprise system, as we must into the government--not just because it is right, but because it is good, good for us, all of us,” Bush asserted.

Bush’s approach to black voters came on the heels of overtures in recent days to Latinos in Texas and Colorado, as well as to Asians in California. In Denver on Friday night, when Bush spoke to a Republican unity reception, the band played not the traditional “Ruffles and Flourishes” but “La Bamba,” the Ritchie Valens tune.

Toughest Task

Among black voters, Bush faces his toughest task, since traditionally blacks have been the most loyal of the Democratic Party’s multi-ethnic coalition. And Bush is also carrying the weight of a Reagan Administration seen as attempting to turn back the clock on civil rights. After a publicized meeting with black leaders earlier this month, several said that while Bush is willing to talk to them, he has yet to set forth policies that could attract many black voters.

Bush’s call Sunday for more financing for minority businesses runs counter to the Reagan Administration’s efforts to curtail such spending, but the vice president argued that it was necessary if America was to “field a full team” in the future.

‘Knock Down Walls’

“We must knock down the walls of indifference and other barriers that result in economic exclusion,” said Bush, who was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Central State.

He also lauded the Administration’s role in the economic recovery, asserting that it assured “continued opportunity” for black Americans.

“Those who are sitting farthest from the pie gain the most when it grows,” he said. While the funding increase was what Bush aides called a “contrast” with Reagan Administration policy, its presentation was illustrative of another Bush problem: In trying to make his differences known without appearing disloyal, Bush risks that they will be overlooked. The financing point itself was made in one sentence, buried near the end of a five-page speech.

Bush’s outreach to black voters has followed a pattern set with Latinos, whom he had courted with the same political mix, touting family values and economic improvements over the last eight years.

In Texas last Thursday, Bush met with members of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly and vowed that he would “work the barrios all across the country.” He also came out against an English-only proposal in Texas.

Invokes Family Ties

When speaking to Latinos, Bush invoked his family ties, never failing to mention that his daughter-in-law, Columba, is Mexican, and his three grandchildren Mexican-American.

“We’re going to unleash the entire Bush family on this Hispanic, Mexican-American, Cuban-American, whatever-it-is community and when it’s all over--whether I win or lose--they’re going to know that I care, care a lot,” he told the caucus members.

Thus far in the campaign, however, Bush has rarely ventured into the black or Latino community himself, limiting most of his meetings to gatherings of political groups or, as on Sunday, to college graduations. Bush will meet today in Washington with Cuban-Americn leaders.

Bush said, however, that he had concentrated on Republican-dominated groups during the primary season and now, with the nomination virtually in hand and a Democratic target in the person of Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, he plans to branch out “a lot.”

“Going to work hard, broaden the base of our party, talk about the issues that transcend black/white, American issues that are out there,” he said Sunday during a tour of the Afro-American Museum in Wilberforce.

Between the Central State University appearance and a visit to Danville, Va., where he campaigned for a congressional candidate, Bush celebrated his 64th birthday Sunday. Aboard Air Force Two, he blew out the candles on a cake bearing the likeness of a Republican elephant holding a Democratic donkey upside-down by its trunk.

He also made a wish. He would not reveal it.