Obama asks W to help Clinton in Haiti relief effort

Obama formally asks ex-Pres. George W. Bush to help ex-Pres. Clinton in #Haiti; Bush says he'll do whatever is necessary - NBC

http://twitter.com/BreakingNews/statuses/7747068601

Bad move, but they are, NOW unashamedly part of the same Big Club. :puke:

Nice.

This is a fine move by the President. Summon all who are willing to help.

W could screw up a wet dream. I am all for inclusion of all and any who have an honest desire to help, do you think Haiti is troubling dim-son at this moment? Dont be so gullible!

It's his one true talent....

Right now, money's money.

You've got a neighbour who needs any help they can get.

the president is.

He didn't have to do this, but he understands that this is about helping the people of Haiti; that's where the focus should be right now.

W can get old rich white people to part with money

It splits the base, Limpnuts wants no help and W is helping

only when THEY DO it...


:sarcasm:

Is there any doubt? I really dont know why the republicans dont like democrats, democrats
have given them every thing they want.

Oh well I am sorry for young people.

:wtf:

For those thinking pragmatically and clearly, it's a good move by the POTUS to reach out to a former POTUS, illegitimate though he may be, to help.

There's no sense in turning down money or ignoring ways to get more.

comment. Helping a country that has been devasted doesn't equal "joining the boy's club"...

good grief:eyes:

Democrats = volunteer without being asked.

Republicans = have to be asked, wouldn't otherwise lift a finger.

No doubt Dubya is of the "they deserved it" camp, like his bud Mr. Robertson. :puke:

That miserable fuck had never cared about anything other than his own sorry ass.

Bush did such a great job with Katrina. Yeah, his help is really needed. :puke:

maybe * can get those construction companies he had down in NOLA to help build Haiti. You know the ones? Lots of moola funneled into rebuilding, but with less rebuilding, more of skimming while screwing laborers.

:thumbsup:

That should be what he does so that money can help the Haitians.

give money. Spoiled rich boy can at least do that.

for the tsunami. Between them they raised a huge amount of money.

Geez, the drama. It never ends.

yesterday clinton said that what is needed more than anythilng is money for water and food. w can get this. fast

The man has almost zero skills that I saw during his presidency. Can't manage. Can't lead. Can't unite the country. But he can squeeze money out of stingy rich Republicans, so I say good idea, Obama. Haiti needs all the help it can get. I'm no purist about where the money comes from. If W can get it, then by all means, call on him. He friggin' owes the world some penance!!!

GW was a puppet,so pull his strings, especially if he agreed to do it for a worthy cause.

I think deep down this is a good thing for Dubya, it will help to salvage his rep. Our President is a very generous person in more ways than one. I also think Dubya likes Obama and visa versa, so this is a good thing, right?

lol...

:thumbsup:

So you think the reason that big oil and the war industry gave him so much money was because he is such a great fundraiser?

I tend to think they gave him money because they knew he would support their interests over those of the American people.

And you know what? Turns out they were right to do so.

Fuck politics ..this is about helping the Haitians!

the campaign, not presidentin'.....


That motherfucker can raise money like nobody's business. Let him help. Expiation for Katrina.

Big oil and war industry gave him money not because he was a great fundraiser, it was because he would advance their interests over those of the American people.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

jeez

that Bush will be going to Haiti. He'll probably do a public service ad with Clinton urging donations, which, hopefully will make up for all the donations lost due to assholes like Rush(and Robertson), who like you chose to politicize someone else's tragedy.

This place amazes me more every day, and not in a good way.

This is an appalling, gratuitous and insulting appointment.

I can think of no reason for it other than a desire to rehabilitate W. I have no explanation as to why Obama wants to do that. I don't get it. I am shocked and saddened that Obama would choose to legitimize Bush in this way.

As for Bush being good for fund raising, are you kidding me. I wouldn't give a dime to anything associated with the human disaster that is W. I'll make my contributions for Haiti elsewhere.

see beyond their pettiness that this is about helping the people of Haiti.

No one dislikes bush more than I but if he can get on board to get some money out of his "have mores" for Haiti then Good!

This is often something presidents ask ex-presidents to do and like you said, if Bush can help raise money for the people of Haiti, that's a good thing, regardless of how I feel about Bush.

It's pretty standard practice to ask for help with fund-raising from former Presidents. Take off the everything is political glasses right now, people are dying in the fucking streets and you want to bicker about who is going to help.

:thumbsup:

this disaster is bringing out the worst of the worst. maybe i need a couple days off.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Seriously, stop and listen to how fucking foolish you sound. This is common place and always has been. Grow up.

I don't think those people give a shit where the help comes from as long as it comes.

Does your partisanship know no bounds?

He is a former President and this is common place. Grow the fuck up. I'll say it a thousand more times. You sound like a god damn baby.

He's a sitting President, and like Bush, a criminal who is desperate to be legitimized.

I'm sure he knows how to raise funds from monied African interests.

Maybe Kim Jung II could handle southern Asia...

Our worst leaders don't come close to comparing to people like that. You embarass yourself with such comments.

Which one of is politicizing helping the people of Haiti

this has nothing to do with trying to makeGWB look good this is about raising money for the people of Haiti that is it.

No one on this forum supports GWB. I bet if you asked this forum who the worst President in history was, his name would be at the top.

However, there are some things bigger than politics. If W can get his millionaire friends to donate to the relief effort, then that is a good thing for the people who are in serious fucking need. I bet if you asked a Haitian if they cared that their relief supplies were furnished by GWB they wouldn't give a damn. A lot of people are dying- it is not the time to stand up on a platform and bitch.

Sure, his oil and war industry cronies gave zillions for his campaigns, but does anyone think that that was because this a-hole was a good fundraiser?

It's because they owned him and he delivered on their agenda, for Christ sake.

The sudden burst of apparent Obama-inspired Bush apologetics I'm reading here is truly remarkable, and disturbing.

What the apologists are trying to do in this thread is to change the channel away from Obama's appalling appointment.

That is the issue here, not the tragic plight of the people of Haiti.

If anything, Obama's unconscionable appointment is detracting from what ought to be the main story.

No one is an apologist for Bush just because they are not surprised a former president is asked to help as are all former presidents. You want to turn this into an anger fest.

If GW can help, let him.

I think he can.

And former Presidents are called upon for this sort of thing, all the time, period. Get over yourself and act like a god damn adult.

When you're trying to argue against help that could save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.

It's NOT ABOUT POLITICS. The people of Haiti are not going to discriminate about where their help and funding is coming from- they care about the bodies of little kids in the streets, not having a roof over their head, a lack of food and water, etc....

And fuck you for calling me and anyone else in this forum a Bush apologetic. What we are doing is called acting like adults and putting the interests of those in need over any political gripes we may have.

Look into the amount of money the Bush campaign brought in from private citizens and such.

Do some research and than get back to us when you have a fucking clue what your talking about, junior.

It's all about getting aid to people who are dying in the streets of an impoverished country. If using Bush can help generate more money for this purpose, then use him. I'm sure there were Republicans who felt pretty much the same way you do when Clinton and Bush Sr. teamed up to help the victims of the tsunami. However, their combined efforts raised a lot of money and relieved a lot of suffering.

It's his war criminal son who needs to be shunned, not rehabilitated.

As for his alleged fundraising skills, get a grip.

The oil and war industries gave him bucks for his campaign not because he was a good fundraiser, but because he agreed to advance their interests over those of the American people.

(I can't believe I'm arguing with Bush apologists on this board.)

This is all about raising funds for disaster relief, not promoting any one person or political party over another.

humanitarian effort to help an already very poor country which is undergoing a horrible tragedy. It is customary for current President's to call on past President's to help raise funds when these tragedies occurred.

Perhaps you are concerned that former President Carter was not asked, just my opinion but PBO may have taken his age into consideration.

I personally feel it is a good move by PBO to call on Presidents Clinton and GWB to help out in this massive humanitarian effort.

I can't even tell you how disgusting I find those objections.

some still have the gall to pull these ridiculous arguments smack outta their asses

i doubt if the hatians give half a damn about which ex president provides aid, and neither do i

If he can sober up long enough to urge a few fellow plutocrats to donate money, that seems safe enough.

to their aid, as long as it's SOMEONE.

invited to help. Haiti needs all the help it can get.

And Obamas wants to send in another disaster? What is he thinking? Let this shithead stay in Houston and in his little bubble where he belongs!! Why give this fuckhead any publicity whatsoever? Oh yeah, I forget, Bush had "experience" in disaster here (Katrina), so Obama decides it's a good idea to put his "experience" to good use in Haiti!! Mr. Obama, why do you hate the Haitians?

Like Bush, Mugabe has committed crimes against humanity, but he could be a good fundraiser, so why doesn't Obama appoint him to be his special African fundraiser?

Too bad Slobodan Milosevic is dead, he could have looked after Europe.

than pro-humanity on this point, and far more concerned that you be right than others live.

Expand your horizons. It's not about you, and it's not about *. It's about keeping people from dying.

* is unlikely to hurt. If he doesn't help, he doesn't help. If he does help, he helps.

If he helps, good. He vastly increased anti-AIDS funding in Africa--granted, through abstinence-based clinics, but even that helped. The harshest criticism is one that considers both the good and the bad that a person does, not just the bad. It makes Stalin even more unbalanced to consider that he liked to visit kids and have school kids visit him and would pick them up and joke with them. Somebody that's purely bad can simply be written off as an anomaly. I personally finding it more disquieting when a person seems normal or helpful in one setting and is a bastard in another (or most other) settings.

But being willing to sacrifice others' lives so that you can continue to say only bad things and not possibly have to say something good? What's more important to you--Haitians' lives or Bragi's bitterness and anger? And what do you think should be more important to us--Haitians' lives or Bragi's bitterness and anger? As far as I can see, you think the answer to both questions is, "Bragi," and we're either with you and against * or against you and with *.

Gee, were did I hear that kind of thinking before? It's apparently true--we become that which we despise. (Which means I'm in danger of becoming like my former dissertation advisor, which is something *far* more scary than becoming like *. Take my word on this. He was always "gracious," and I still think of that as a vile insult.)

You make it sound like there were but two choices facing Obama: legitimize a war criminal with an appointment, or help people in Haiti.

And to those who keep blathering on about Bush as a great fundraiser, the reality is that corporate America donated generously to his campaigns not because he was a great fundraiser, but because they knew he would promote their interests over those of the American people.

The appointment of this despised cretin is a travesty that has unnecessarily politicized what should be a straight-up humanitarian effort. Shame on Obama.

And as far as "fund raising", do you think his base, the "have mores" and the "fundamentalists" in the Pat Robertson vein will contribute money and help to poor and destitute black people? It worked so well during Katrina, why not let Bush and his "base" help again!! Obama is fast becoming lost and dead to me!! I don't know Obama anymore; he is not the "change" nor the person I voted for over a year ago!!

as rotten a person as George may be he still has pull with Republicans. He will give the relief efforts a bipartisan tone and will help get Republicans to pony up some of their big $$$ to help.

First and foremost, any help should be welcomed. These people need all of the help they can get, regardless of where it comes from.

The other side of the situation is, and this may sound "weird", but history shows us that everything bush is involved in becomes a disaster...to add disaster upon disaster may not be the best approach. bush has the "Reverse Midas Touch"...literally, everything he comes in contact with turns into crap; I've never seen anyone that could even come close to the disaster bush is. It is almost unbelievable how a single individual can have such an incredibly negative effect on the outcome of things.

small in the proportion of things to have any effect in mucking this up.

I hope.

clean up the stain he left on the country.

I just hope he doesn't actually try to do something...;)

It's all hands on deck for this one. As Hillary said, it's a disaster of biblical proportions.

Bush has plenty of influence within his party and many wealthy contacts. Bill could use all the help he can get to raise more funds, he's hardly slept since Tuesday.

Instead of bitching so much, how about donating whatever amount you can (even $5 would be of help) to the Red Cross, the Clinton Foundation or any other legitimate organization?

Geez.......

:eyes:

Bush had to be prodded.

TORONTO — Former President George W. Bush called former President Bill Clinton "his brother" and the two rarely disagreed in their first-ever appearance together on stage.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/29/bush-clinton-appear-toget_n_209306.html

Given that Clinton has been shamelessly (or should I say $hamelessly) serving as a Bush PR guy for some time, I would not be at all surprised if he wasn't the one who suggested that Obama appoint Bush to be his official "helper" on Haiti.

I am surprised, however, and deeply disappointed, that Obama didn't tell Clinton to stuff it, and to find some other way of trying to rebuild Bush's well-earned shabby reputation.

- B

Money is Green,
and food and water and rescue cost money.

No one cares that you think that Bush's capabilities of raising millions
for the Haitian people doesn't count.

I hope your ass is on a plane right now, to go over and see what you can do,
cause if you think that typing on the Internet is doing something better
than the current President asking ALL for ALL hands on deck,
than you've got another thing coming.

With your mouth as big as it is, I hope you've already emptied out your bank account
for the people of Haiti, cause when they are handed a bottle of water,
they won't give a fuck where the money came from to provide it to them.

Your sort, who politicize every fucking think there ever was make me puke.
You and limbaugh and the rest pf your ilk should be proud.

People who know me would find the phrase "you and Limbaugh" quite amusing.

Out...

You really don't know what you're talking about, but yet you feel compelled to spew this inane bullshit.

GWB being asked to raise money for people in Haiti is not a political move. He has a deep Rolodex and a lot of friends with a lot of cash (who probably owe him some favors). He's asking him to essentially do the same thing that Bush Sr and Clinton did after the tsunami. I can set aside my hatred of Bush when it comes to saving the lives of people in one of the world's 4th world countries after a devastating earthquake. Haitians need supplies a lot more than I dislike the former President.

If Obama asked Bush to oversee the rescue efforts that would be one thing, but all he is asking the man to do is make some fucking phone calls.

If Obama asked Bush to oversee the rescue efforts that would be one thing, but all he is asking the man to do is make some fucking phone calls.

Well if that were the case, then why did Clinton and Bush issue an official "joint" statement announcing that they have graciously accepted the President's invitation to head up private sector fundraising for Haiti? Heck, he could have started calling his cronies without a public statement being issued, so why do you think the statement was issued, and an official designation needed to be issued?

I'm figuring the answer is that Bill Clinton PR Inc. and his war criminal client wanted the statement so as to get a positive media hit out of Obama's official appointment of Bush to co-head the campaign. Clinton of course, didn't need legitimacy from Obama, given his long commitment to Haiti. The partner who desperately needs legitimacy anywhere he can find it is the client, GW Bush.

Fact is, I don't like Clinton a whole lot, almost exclusively because of his association with G W Bush. I do, however, acknowledge his credentials with Haiti, so my compliant is not that he is involved. My complaint is that he has used his involvement to further the ignoble cause of generating positive spin and legitimacy for his client, who in reality is no friend of Haiti, or of poor people anywhere on any known planet.

To anyone poised to decry me for "politicizing" this issue, fine, but let me first point out that this peculiar Clinton-Bush announcement, and Obama's complicity in it, is ALL about politics and ALL about trying to legitimize George W Bush after his disastrous Presidency marred by atrocities, injustices, war crimes and other illegalities.

While I see Clinton as blameworthy in this reputational rescue operation, I also think it was bad judgement for Obama to honour Bush with an official designation. If Obama felt Clinton needed help, there are former Presidents he could have named who are not despicable and loathed miscreants. That he didn't do this is something he wears.

It's about people in Haiti who are dying. Quite frankly, I don't care what kind of press W gets for this- I just care about the victims not having who have no means to begin their recovery.

Besides, history will look back quite poorly on Bush's Presidency. Nothing can change that.

Bill is the UN envoy, not an Obama emissary. He has been a presence in Haiti for quite a while.

Who cares about Bush's politics right now? The man was president and he still has influence within his party and many wealthy contacts. Money is needed urgently to buy supplies. Why politicize the relief effort?

:(

The White House announced yesterday that Clinton and Bush were both officially called and designated by Obama to co-chair U.S. private sector relief fundraising for Haiti. Look it up.

And remember that Bush, as well as being a war criminal, is no friend of Haiti. It was his decision in 2004 to let the armed military insurgency topple the democratically-elected and popular government of J-B Aristide (one that Busha and the US right felt was too populist, too left wing.)

See http://www.aristidethefilm.com/

Talk about inappropriately politicizing the relief effort. Shame on Obama.

I didn't have the latest information. Thank you.

;-)

already has him pegged. I suspect W is up for speculating the landscape.

Pres. Obama has built a bridge to help them understand we all need to help. He's highlighting it ain't about party it's about doing what's right.

back the ousting of Aristide?

Bad move!

Wait - what am I talking about? I'm sure they'll find a way.

on the tsunami efforts. I expect they will do the same for this effort.

Dim Son will hole up in a corner somewhere, but Big Dog will do a good job.

nt

Of course part of me hates it after eight years of chimp-bashing, but it is masterful on so many levels.

Getting * to start picking the pockets of the wealthy, elite Repubs who otherwise could care less.

Forcing * to make retribution to poor black people after Katrina was so fubar'd

Schooling him, for the world to see, in how a real president responds to crisis.

Etc.

What's brilliant about the request is that it paints Bush into a corner: if he doesn't respond he reinforces hi image as an opportunistic inhumanitarian.

Oh wait. We haven't heard a word from him countering the call by Rush and Robertson to give no aid to Haiti.

This is working great, isn't it. Bush gets legitimacy, and Haiti gets, ah, ...

Bottom line is

Dead presidents = money

Live presidents = can help get the money.


:think:

I believe President Bush gave more aid to African nations than any predecessor.

I remember my former roommate, who was pretty liberal, worked at an Africa-centric organization and she said Bush had actually done a lot of good for Africa. So I guess give credit where credit is due.

Helping with disaster relief is a role often played by ex-presidents, and something sitting presidents often ask their predecessors to do. No need to politicize this.