WASHINGTON � President Obama has tapped former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to lead private sector fundraising efforts for Haiti.

Enlisting ex-presidents� help in responding to a natural disaster is just what Bush did in 2004 after a tsunami ripped across Asia. Back then, it was Clinton and President George H.W. Bush who assisted in relief efforts.
In a joint statement, George W. Bush and Clinton said, �In the days and weeks ahead, we will draw attention to the many ways American citizens and businesses can help meet the urgent needs of the Haitian people.�
Obama called his predecessors Wednesday to ask them for their assistance because he thought Bush�s decision to mobilize former presidents during the tsunami was a good one, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday.
Gibbs said the Obama administration�s criticism of Bush�s actions during the response to Hurricane Katrina were irrelevant.
�I think if you asked George Bush whether the government acted up to its ability in responding to Katrina, I think the answer to that would be �no,�� Gibbs said. �The actions that were taken to deal with the humanitarian crisis from the tsunami, on the other hand, I think worked quite well.�