Earlier this week, The Foundry carried a post by Jim Roberts, a Heritage Senior Research Fellow in Freedom and Growth, which wisely recommended that President Obama appoint former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead U.S. recovery efforts in the earthquake-stricken nation of Haiti. This type of high-level bipartisan leadership is critical in raising U.S. support and resources for the effort, as was demonstrated by Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush during the Tsunami relief effort in 2004. Some liberal voices including Daily Kos, Rachel Maddow and …
In Haiti three days after the earthquake, the terrible reality of death and destruction settles upon the nation and the world. The preliminary estimates of fatalities appear to be range between 45,000 and 50,000. Three million Haitians, one-third of the countries population, appear severely impacted. Access to clean, uncontaminated water and food is increasingly difficult. The principal port is ruined and the one international airport is overwhelmed. The U.S. and all others are truly in a race against time. In his first major leadership challenge in the Americas, President Obama has …
According to (confirmed) reports this morning, President Obama will send a bipartisan delegation led by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to assist recovery efforts in Haiti. The United States has already launched a robust aid operation including Coast Guard and Naval ships and deployed Marines. The U.S. also has floating military hospitals, doctors and medical supplies on the way. President Obama has ordered a “swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives” and by all accounts, that is what is occurring. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary …
Today, the United States began surveying the damage inflicted by a devastating earthquake in Haiti this week. In addition to providing immediate humanitarian assistance, the U.S. response to the tragic earthquake should address long-held concerns over the fragile political environment that exists in the region. The U.S. government response should be bold and decisive. It must mobilize U.S. civilian and military capabilities for short-term rescue and relief and long-term recovery and reform. President Obama should tap high-level, bipartisan leadership. Clearly former President Clinton, who was already named as the U.N. …
