by Mark Silva
With President Barack Obama and his two predecessors at work on relief for victims of the earthquake in Haiti, Obama today pledged unrelenting U.S. support during "the many difficult days ahead.''
At the White House, the president today made his third public remarks in three days on the U.S. commitment to the relief of Haitian earthquake victims. The president also had spoken with Haitian President Rene Preval by telephone this morning and personally pledged continuing support.
With the U.S. promising $100 million in aid, the Pentagon said today that 3,000 U.S. soldiers and 2,000 Marines will be on the ground in Haiti by the weekend, supported by as many as 5,000 sailors at sea.
On Saturday, Obama plans to meet with former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at the White House - with Bush assisting in fundraising for the relief effort and Clinton assisting in both that and in his role as special United Nations envoy to Haiti.
"I expressed to President Preval my deepest condolences for the people of Haiti,'' said Obama, noting that the National Palace in Port-au-Prince had collapsed in the earthquake, as had so many other homes.
"The scale of devastation is extraordinary,'' Obama said. "The losses are heartbreaking.
The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Carl Vinson arrived today, with helicopters preparing to move water, food and other supplies into Haiti. At the airport, the president said, support is arriving from several other nations, too.
"The entire world stands with the people and government of Haiti, for in Haiti's devastation we all see the common humanity that we share,'' Obama said. "Haitians are our neighbors in the Americas, and for Americans they are family and friends.
"There are going to be many difficult days ahead,'' said Obama, noting that the Haitian port is closed and roads damaged. "But I want the people of Haiti to know that we will do what it takes to save lives and help people get back on their feet.''
Obama also thanked the American public for donating money: "In this difficult hour, we will continue to provide.''
Comments
Two of the smartest and most successful presidents in our history and the bag of hammers that destroyed our country and half the world.
I'd make him sit at the kids table.
Posted by: My Oh My | January 15, 2010 1:58 PM
And who is going to actually run the operation while the other two are off campaigning? That's right - George Bush.
Clinton and Obama have to go help fill "Kennedy's seat".
Believe what they DO, not what they say.
Posted by: Same rules for everyone | January 15, 2010 3:46 PM
GWB doing anything to actually help others ?
I doubt it.
Maybe there's oil to be found under the ruins....thats when he shows up.
Posted by: writerofwrongs | January 15, 2010 4:58 PM
When staff gets hard, children run to parents for help. Or to more experienced ones.
Obama can get some executive experience from good teachers. Smart child.
Posted by: DN | January 16, 2010 4:11 AM
i can see it now bush will have a get motivated semminar and with his caboy boots on he will show them how to holdem while he sacrifices the lamb with viagra and how to pray for sara to be given his seed via facebook so the second jessus[george cheny palin]can arise
Posted by: royce | January 16, 2010 7:46 AM
He is sending Bush? I thought he wanted to help the people of Haiti. Maybe Bushs' idea of helping is to ride around in a helicopter looking down at the devistation like he did during Katrina. I wonder if he will have to sneek in the country at night like he had to when he visited bagdad. Anyway watchout for flying slippers Dude!
Posted by: Jog Delpham | January 16, 2010 2:47 PM
Actually, Bush had a rather sour expression during most of this event.
Like the whole thing is a big annoyance and he can't wait to get back to watching football on his big screen.
Posted by: ornery | January 16, 2010 8:23 PM
I can't think of anyone less qualified to lead an effort to help haiti as GWB. And the media is just going along with it, as if it's perfectly normal. Does anyone remember "you're doing a great job, Brownie"? What was Obama thinking!
Posted by: Berry | January 17, 2010 12:04 PM
Where is the love?
After so many years
And way too many tears
Why is poverty
Still a reality
Where is the love?
And even in the 21st Century
Hunger plagues both babies and the elderly
Who is responsible, who will take the blame
And will they have the capacity to remove this stain
Where is the love?
Could it be political ambitions?
Or is it the globalist manipulations
When will enough be enough?
And why are their lives so rough?
Where is the love?
They have suffered for years without anyone making a fuss
So who can they really trust?
They ate mud cookies to survive
Yet no one bothered to assist them in their fight to stay alive
Where is the love?
Why weren’t their cries heard?
And should tragedy always evoke the love of the world?
Why can’t we love from where we are with what we have?
Sharing the little we have
Where is the love?
We are the light of the world positioned to make it better
Just a little consideration can take your brother from the gutter
Hopelessness and despair was what they were fed
And the impulse to survive was how they were led
Where is the love?
Posted by: Astell Collins | February 18, 2010 3:31 AM