http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...xportaltop.html

Bushes unite with Clinton in aid appeal
(Filed: 03/01/2005)

President George W Bush has joined his father and Bill Clinton in a joint appeal for "every American" to donate money to help victims of the Asian tsunami.

Bill Clinton joins George Bush Snr and President Bush

Speaking at the White House flanked by his two predecessors, Mr Bush called for Americans to "join in a broad humanitarian relief effort".

"I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so," he said.

Mr Bush's father, George, and Mr Clinton will lead the effort to encourage Americans to support relief and reconstruction in areas devastated by the tsunami, the president said.

"In the coming days, Presidents Clinton and Bush will ask Americans to donate directly to reliable charities already providing help to tsunami victims," Mr Bush said. "I've asked the former presidents to solicit contributions both large and small."

Mr Bush, who the White House says will give a personal donation soon, urged Americans to give money instead of clothes or food. "Cash donations are most useful," he said.

Later today the president will be joined by his father and Mr Clinton when they sign condolence books at the Washington embassies of the four nations - Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand - hit hardest by the disaster.

The appeal by the presidents comes after Mr Bush raised the US relief aid package to more than £180 million after accusations that Washington he was being sluggish in his response.

The package was later outstripped by an offer of up to £262 million in aid from Japan as global donations rose over £1 billion.

Mr Bush is currently waiting for the advice from a delegation he dispatched to the region to assess what more the US can do to help.

That team, led by Colin Powell, the secretary of state, and the president's brother Jeb Bush, the Florida governor, arrived in the region today.

Mr Powell said that the relief effort appears to be going so well that he sees no immediate need for more American money.

"I don't anticipate an increase in money," Mr Powell told reporters before he arrived in Thailand. "We haven't spent the money that we've committed so far."

Fifteen Americans are confirmed dead in Thailand and Sri Lanka, and some 4,000 to 5,000 remain unaccounted for across the diasaster zone.

Mr Powell said that number includes many people who are simply out of touch with family or friends.

But he added: "We can't ignore the very distinct possibility that there are other Americans within this number who have lost their lives."

Sigh.........why bring in your stupid Poppy and brother to do all this when you can bring in someone people overseas actually respects like..oh I don't know, Al Gore?

But then again, I don't guess Bush wants to give Gore any good press knowing that he may very well run against his brother in 4 years.

It kind of pisses me off that the Bushies are just trying to make themselves look good, when most of us with a brain know they don't give a damn about the tsunami victims. I was wondering why PRESIDENT AL GORE was snubbed, now I know why. What you wrote makes alot of sense, Chris, about four years from now. Another reason to dislike Jeb Bush, ignoring AL GORE who is yes, very much respected throughout the world, for their own personal gain is rather sickening. But that's to be expected from an evil good for nothing family like the Bushes.

Al Gore? OOh..heavens no. Bush wouldn't call on Gore for anything. Gore doesn't play Bush's game. Guess he thought Clinton would be good for show.

There needs to be a very organized effort logistically to bring aid to these people.

Things must be really bad if Bush has to bring in Bill Clinton to help fix things. Last week, even conservative pundits admitted Bush mishandled things because he's too determined NOT to do things the way Bill Clinton did.

Now Bush Sr. & Jr. have to ally themselves with a man they hate with a vengence just to save face.

It seems to me that sending Brother Bush is a way of setting him up in the national and international community so he can run in 2008. Why else send him? He's not a national politician. He doesn't represent America in any way. It's one thing when a Senator or even a national figure like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton goes on one of these good-will missions. But a governor, just because he's the pResident's brother? I don't think so. :bad:

I was kind of curious about that myself. Why Jeb Bush, if it's not self-serving than why not a governor from another state??? No not the Gropinator, but in a way I'm kind of surprised they didn't send him. But there were many other choices and I'm sure most people can see what they are up to. Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton???? Do you really think a racist family like the Bushes would want them involved :?:

No, I didn't mean Bush would send Jackson or Sharpton. It's just that they've done humanitarian missions like this before, and no one questioned it because that's the kind of work they do. For Jeb Bush to go, it's clearly a political move. He has no business doing this whatsoever as a representative of our country. None.

Yes, I agree, Jebby has no right whatsoever in doing this, true I don't like him, but that's not even the point. He doesn't represent me or my state one bit, like I said in my previous post, it's totally self-serving arrogance.

It is real simple WHAT is being done...whether they CARE or not this "spin" tactic is known as "posturing". There was a disaster of monumental proportions, and many died so they BUILD a photo-op on the BONES of the DEAD! Why is Clinton engaging in this...POSTURING!...It is a wonder Hillary wasn't there...it REALLY grates my cheese that the Clintons would POSTURE for 2008! So Hillary can run for office? :dripple:

With ALL of the TROOPS KILLED in IRAQ you don't see so much as ONE of them posing for pictures at Dover Airport...you do NOT see ANY of them POSTURING in THAT situation! :mad:


HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

With more of our people killed on a daily basis, POSTURING for this tsunami disaster is just uncalled for...If Bill Clinton is NOT being used in this situation then he should state the fact...but he SHOULD realize as should the Democrats that ANY time a BU$H asks for ANYTHING it is ONLY a self serving gesture to make themselves LOOK GOOD!...It makes me sick! :wtf:

AND MY PARTY ACTUALLY HELPS BU$H IN HIS PR CAMPAIGN!

I guess the DEMOCRATS WANT JEB BU$H IN OFFICE IN 2008! THAT is why I am ready for a NEW PARTY! When MY Party actually caters to the continuation of "dynasty" then they just totally "lose" me. :bad:

And I MEANT EVERY WORD! :angry:

Funny. Somehow Bush came up with $13 BILLION for Florida after the hurricanes last summer. That's billion with a "B." For one state. Where some people were killed and a few trailer parks were trashed. And his brother happens to be governor.

So we're real generous to be giving $350 MILLION to a part of the world where over 150,000 people died and millions were left homeless. Real generous. <_<