Bush and Clinton Unite for Haiti, Chelsea Spins

President Barack Obama has tapped his two predecessors to lead major fundraising efforts for Haiti. "Presidents Bush and Clinton will help the American people to do their part, because responding to disaster is the work of all of us," Obama said in a speech. "In these difficult hours, America stands united." Meanwhile former-presidential daughter Chelsea Clinton has “spun” up her own creative way to help the victims of the earthquake.

Inspired by how Clinton and Bush Sr. worked together to help areas damaged by the tsunami of 2004, Obama decided to call on the seemingly incompatible former-presidents. Clinton said that he and W. are in it for the long haul, reported Fox News. "I believe before this earthquake Haiti had the best chance to escape its history," he said. "I still believe that. But it's going to take a lot of help and a long time." Bush advised Americans to "Just send your cash. One of the things the president and I will do is make sure your money is spent wisely." Hmm, would you accept a check?

And the odd couple will have help. Chelsea Clinton is raising money for the fund—through spinning! "Good Afternoon SoulCyclists," said a note from SoulCycle in Manhattan, where Clinton is a regular, "in a time of need, we can always look to our SOUL COMMUNITY to take action. In response to the recent devastation in Haiti, we are doing our best to make a difference. Please join Chelsea Clinton and SoulCycle for a special 90-minute ride on Thursday, Jan. 21." Front row bikers donate $1,000, second row pays $500 and all others give a donation of $100, reported People.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Sabrina Jaszi in News on January 16, 2010 6:05 PM

Comments [rss]

mingusahum

kiss already!

Powerhugs

Despite the photo op, I wouldn't donate one penny to the Bush Clinton organization...Donate to Doctors without borders - at least you know the money doesn't go to any BS administration and will be used to help people...

Amanda Harletsch

This move by president Obama show an excellent level of leadership: He delegates in a bipartisan American envoy of the highest political level the responsibility of helping a nation in need.

If Bush was president, Chenney and his evil gnomes will be "helping" by making all Haitians sign mortgages/leases for any reconstruction by a private American corporation...

USA USA USA.

longacre

Will Madame Secretary grant some special favors upon my rogue nation if I pay for Chelsea's spin class the same way she does when I donate to Bill's library fund?

NannyState

"Dublya"? Or "Double Bubba"?

Rocknrope

I'd be green money that this is the first time Dubya's put on a tie since he left office.

NannyState

I just wish I could have given him a nice Colombian necktie while he was still in office.

Amanda Harletsch

"Under U.S. influence, Baby Doc virtually eliminated import tariffs for U.S. goods. Soon Haiti was awash predatory agricultural imports dumped by American firms. Domestic rice farmers went bankrupt. A nation that had been agriculturally self-sustaining collapsed. Farms were abandoned. Hundreds of thousands of farmers migrated to the teeming slums of Port-au-Prince. The Duvalier era, 29 years in all, came to an end in 1986 when President Ronald Reagan ordered U.S. forces to whisk Baby Doc to exile in France, saving him from a popular uprising.

Once again, Haitians should thank Americans. Duvalierism was "tough love." Forcing Haitians to make do without their national treasury was our nice way or encouraging them to work harder, to lift themselves up by their bootstraps. Or, in this case, flipflops."

Ah! the republicans (bush behind puppet Reagan) once again making history in the worse way possible!

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/01/14-13

longacre

I'm not sure that I've put on a tie since Dubya left office.

longacre

Thankfully no (knock on wood). I just don't wear a tie to work. :-)

just saying

You're one of the many unemployed?

Rocknrope

be = bet

thelexiphane

Just for the record: the Bush with Clinton who collaborated towards tsunami relief was Clinton's presidential predecessor--not his son who is pictured and who's now partnering w/ Bill on Haiti relief.

JackoPaidOffVictims

In case you haven't read about Wyclef Jean's scam... err charity. Before donating to any charities, make sure they're listed on http://www.Charitynavigator.org

Wyclef's charity DOES NOT MEET CRITERIA TO BE listed as a REPUTABLE CHARITY. YELE has been around for 12 years, but filed tax returns for only 3 years in August 2009. Apparently he has been pocketing a lot of the money to spend on recording studio rent and only 20% of donations make it to the needy:

blog.charitynavigator.org/2010...

Tower18

Inspired by how Clinton and Bush worked together despite their differences after the tsunami of 2004

And then of course there was Hurricane Katrina of 2005. Sort of makes the Bush pick a bit interesting.

Mr Mel

That was Bush 41.

Thinky Think

Why would any body recruit thieving bush for this effort?

I hope what the violence the haitians have started will stop. They need each other more than ever and injuring those there to help them will only lessen the help they get.They can't expect anyone to stay if the situation becomes hostile and they will be the losers not the aides. Its understandable they are hungry among other things but behaving like savages won't help.

Snoopy

I can just imagine the conversation under the umbrella. "You fucking with me? Yeh so what. You fuckin' with me? Yeh so what? Your bitch has fatter thighs than ..." and the conversation goes on.