5 former presidents take stage at relief concert in heart of Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — The five living former presidents appeared together for the first time since 2013 on Saturday at a concert to raise money for victims of devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Democrats Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and Republicans George H.W. and George W. Bush gathered on stage in College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M University, putting aside politics to try to unite the country after the storms.
Texas A&M is home the presidential library the elder Bush.
“It’s certainly a triple, if not a home run, every time,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. “Presidents have the most powerful and prolific fundraising base of any politician in the world.”
A website, OneAmerica Appeal.org, was created as to of part of the effort, with 100 percent of proceeds pledged to hurricane relief.
Jim McGrath, a spokesman for the elder Bush, said Saturday that the effort has raised $31 million since it began Sept. 7.
McGrath didn’t answer a question about whether the current president, Donald Trump was invited.
Trump commended the former presidents from afar.
“This wonderful effort reminds us that we truly are one nation under God, all unified by our values and devotion to one another,” Trump said in a video message recorded for the concert.
Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas Gulf Coast. Irma hit Florida and Maria battered Puerto Rico, while both hurricanes affected the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The concert featured the band Alabama, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer “Soul Man” Sam Moore, gospel legend Yolanda Adams and Texas musicians Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen.