Bush Put to Test by Pop Quiz at Santa Ana High

Texas Gov. George W. Bush wanted to talk about education reform, about using state-created tests to measure whether schools are doing a good job, about rewarding those that do with federal money and holding accountable those that don’t.

He wanted to talk about raising teachers’ salaries, closing the achievement gap and giving local educators more control over their schools’ performance.

But his audience of 100 teenagers at Santa Ana High School on Thursday had more in mind for the Republican presidential candidate. They posed questions on immigration laws, national defense, Internet access for minors--even sex.

“Do you support sex education in public schools?” Answer: The best sex education takes place at home and should include abstinence education.

“How do you feel about same-sex marriages?” Answer (drawing applause): “I support marriage between a man and a woman.”

“Would you expand the space program?” Answer: Maybe.

“What do you think of the electoral process for picking a president?” Answer (drawing laughter): “Well, that would depend on whether I win or not.”

The range of questions reflected the diverse group of honor students--mostly juniors and seniors--who said they went to the meeting curious and unsure of Bush’s plan for the country, but came out with a “pretty good idea” of his priorities if elected in November.

The consensus? “I can totally see him as president,” said Jose Castaneda, 16, who shook Bush’s hand as he strolled onto campus during second period Thursday. “He was very comfortable talking to us. He just acted like a president, you know?”

Bush made the hastily planned stop in Santa Ana on the second day of a two-day swing through California, where he visited schools and dropped in on fund-raisers in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. He spoke to a cheering crowd of 2,000 at a rally in Westminster on Wednesday, and took his education reform plan to the school’s quiet library Thursday.

“The economy is growing, and things are looking OK there,” Bush told the students, some of whom scribbled notes and snapped photographs to be used in the campus newspaper and yearbook. “But if you look at education . . . if you look at the test scores in this country, you will see that some children aren’t learning. I want to fix that. I will fix that. I believe every child can learn and it’s our job to help them.”

The governor pointed to rising test scores in Texas as an example of what can happen if schools are given local control, with support from the government, to improve student achievement. His stated record there impressed Cindy Barajas, 17, who said she also was struck that the mayor of El Paso--a Democrat--was traveling with Bush for support.

“That tells me he can get along with people who may not share his same views and he can still earn their respect,” Barajas said. “We pretty much asked him about everything and he seems to have a good plan for being president.”

Despite the age of his audience, Bush made a spontaneous appeal for votes at one point during the question-answer session, casting a wink at the cluster of teachers and administrators standing at the back of the room.

“If you’re 18, I’m asking for the vote,” he said. “So when you get in the booth, remember who came and asked you.”

At least one first-time voter said she wasn’t convinced she’d vote for Bush in November, but felt better about him than she did before.

“I think I’ll still vote for [Democratic nominee Al] Gore,” said Cynthia Garcia, 18. “But if Bush is elected, I think it’ll still be OK.”

After the hourlong question-and-answer session, students presented their guest with a Santa Ana High football jersey and cap, the latter of which he promptly put on his head.

“We’ll take you to the game tonight!” someone yelled from the audience. “Can you go?”

Answer (sighing): “I wish.”