Bush's designation of Dad and the Big Dog

Today George W. Bush announced that his father and Bill Clinton would lead a nation-wide fund raising effort for the victims of the Asian earthquake/tsunami disaster. In announcing this effort, Bush said the following:

To draw even greater amounts of private donations, I have asked two of America's most distinguished private citizens to head a nationwide charitable fundraising effort. Both men, both Presidents, know the great decency of our people. They bring tremendous leadership experience to this role, and they bring good hearts. I am grateful to the former Presidents, Clinton and Bush, for taking on this important responsibility and for serving our country once again.

In the coming days, President Clinton and Bush will ask Americans to donate directly to reliable charities already providing help to tsunami victims. Many of these organizations have dispatched experts to the disaster area, and they have an in-depth understanding of the resources required to meet the needs on the ground. In this situation, cash donations are most useful, and I've asked the former Presidents to solicit contributions both large and small.

*******

Presidents Clinton and Bush will be speaking about the countless ways individuals and businesses can support this urgent cause. I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so. For more information about how to make a donation, you can visit the USA Freedom Corps website at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

*******

The Presidents and I will be going to the embassies of the countries affected to pay our nation's respects. I'm so grateful that both President Bush and President Clinton have taken time out of their busy schedules to not only serve as a catalyst for people to give money to help, but also to join me and Laura in paying our deepest respects to those nations that have been affected by the tsunamis. As well, the Presidents will return to the White House compound to talk to members of the press about how to better effect this great relief effort that is now going on in our nation.

I want to say right now that I think this is a good idea, and I'm glad ol' George did this. However, given some of the things the White House has previously said about Clinton, Bush's words are just a shade on the ironic side.

In Bush and funerals and hugs--Defense 4, I quoted an article by Elisabeth Bumiller of the New York Times:

Some close to the president say another reason he has not expressed more public sympathy for individual soldiers killed in Iraq is his determination to let families have their privacy. He was offended, his friends say, by what he saw at times as President Bill Clinton's exploitation of private grief for political gain.

And this opinion of Clinton apparently still exists. Here's an excerpt from a Washington Post article, "Aid Grows Amid Remarks About President's Absence," dated December 29, 2004:

Although U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland yesterday withdrew his earlier comment, domestic criticism of Bush continued to rise. Skeptics said the initial aid sums -- as well as Bush's decision at first to remain cloistered on his Texas ranch for the Christmas holiday rather than speak in person about the tragedy -- showed scant appreciation for the magnitude of suffering and for the rescue and rebuilding work facing such nations as Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Indonesia.

After a day of repeated inquiries from reporters about his public absence, Bush late yesterday afternoon announced plans to hold a National Security Council meeting by teleconference to discuss several issues, including the tsunami, followed by a short public statement.

*******

Earlier yesterday, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said the president was confident he could monitor events effectively without returning to Washington or making public statements in Crawford, where he spent part of the day clearing brush and bicycling. Explaining the about-face, a White House official said: "The president wanted to be fully briefed on our efforts. He didn't want to make a symbolic statement about 'We feel your pain.' "

Many Bush aides believe Clinton was too quick to head for the cameras to hold forth on tragedies with his trademark empathy.

(emphasis added). And now Bush is counting on Clinton to raise money--and make the U.S. look good--by using his oh so offensive "exploitation of grief" with his "trademark empathy." Ironic.

Like I said, I think Bush calling on his father and Clinton to do this is a good idea. However, this has the feel of Bush getting them to do this so 1) he doesn't have to, and 2) the actual U.S. government doesn't have to. I'm not saying that the government should come up with all the aid money that comes from our country. However, since we have such a great democracy that this administration constantly puts forth as the shining example to all the world, it would be helpful if the government had some sort of visible role in this effort to get private donations (something more than one web page with a list of organizations). I am also not saying that Bush has to do all the fundraising. Still, Bush is the "leader" of this country, and to the rest of the world, he is the most visible representative of our country and symbolizes the U.S. for much of the world. Moreover, many Republicans keep talking about how Bush won a mandate from the nation. It would be nice if our "leader" would do something to lead by example. If he really has such a mandate, he is in a better position than either his father or Clinton to convince Americans to make private donations and show the world that the U.S. is a caring nation. I hope that he does take a more visible role. That role could be nothing more than making some radio ads and a TV commercial. Does Bush have to do this? No. But it sure could help.