Tackling  head-on as he began his speech, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush did  not back down on defending his brother, George W, and his father George  H. W. He directed his comments directly at President Barack Obama,  acknowledging that his Administration was handed a tough job, but it was  time to stop blaming his predecessor and start taking responsibility.

With  that out of the way, Bush tackled the issue of education. Bush charged  our broken schools need to be fixed. Bush claimed the failure of  education was a moral failure.

Excerpts from his speech:

"This  election is about the future of this nation. We can shape that future,  with what we do here. With what we do November 6. We can restore  America's greatness. That starts with a strong economy...a smart energy  policy...lower deficits...and a president who puts America's workers and  job-creators first....

"We  must stop excusing failure in our schools and start rewarding  improvement and success. We must have high academic standards that are  benchmarked to the best in the world. All kids can learn. Governor  Romney believes it, and the data proves it. While he was governor,  Massachusetts raised standards and today their students lead the nation  in academic performance....," Bush said.

Bush went on later to say, "Because  he is a former governor, Mitt Romney understands that states must lead  this national movement. In Massachusetts, Governor Romney narrowed the  gap between students of different races, raised testing standards, and  put into place a merit scholarship, the John and Abigail Adams  Scholarship that gives students four tuition free years, at any  Massachusetts public institution of higher learning. He's a champion for  bringing hope to education. And he intends to be a champion for  equality of opportunity... a president who always puts students  first....

"So in this  election, remember this: Our future as a nation is at stake. Fact is,  this election is not about just one office. It is about one nation. If  we want to continue to be the greatest nation on the planet, we must  give our kids what we promise them: An equal opportunity. That starts in  the classroom...it starts in our communities... it starts where you  live. And it starts with electing Mitt Romney the next President of the  United States."

Bush  also praised the education system in Florida. He pointed out how much  better students in Florida were doing than in many other states. He then  in a surprise turned to allow a real teacher from Florida to speak who  stated, "Students matter most."

Making  the case for choice, Bush said that parents must be allowed the ability  to find the right school that would provide a better education for  their children.

"Shouldn't parents have that kind of choice for their kids in schools?" Bush asked.

"Choose. You can either help the politically powerful unions or you can help kids," Bush proclaimed.

Turning  then to emphasize his point on choice, Bush brought to the stage a  former student who was given a choice under the choice program Bush  implemented in Florida. Then it was a listing of Republican governors  who are improving test scores for students by expanding choice in their  states.

The  job for Bush tonight was to press the education agenda of GOP  presidential nominee Mitt Romney and the Republican Party. Bush made the  case and made it forcefully.

From  the Cornfield, Bush, without having his father or brother at the  convention,  pulled the Bush faction behind the unity ticket the party  is seeking as the convention ends and the real race begins.