The Ice Bucket Challenge is making its way to the elite club of former U.S. presidents.
George W. Bush is accepting the challenge from "several Americans," including daughter Jenna Bush Hagar, he says in his video, but he wants to focus on donating to ALS, not dousing himself with water.
"I do not think it's presidential for me to be splashed with ice water, so I'm simply going to write you a check," says the 43rd president.
That's when former first lady Laura Bush pops into view and splashes him anyway.
"That check is from me," Laura Bush says. "I don't want to ruin my hairstyle."
Bush challenges former president Bill Clinton to do the same. Clinton's birthday was Tuesday. "My gift to Bill is a bucket of cold water," Bush says.
The viral awareness campaign, started by Pat Quinn, of Yonkers, N.Y., has raised $15.6 million since July 29 for the ALS Association, which researches Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. That's compared with $1.8 million raised in the same time period last year.
Valerie Estess, co-founder of Project A.L.S. writes in a letter to USA TODAY, "By accepting the Ice Bucket Challenge, the American people have launched the opening salvo in a war we can all agree on."
She continues: "This fight deserves the immediate attention and support of Congress, the president, and every citizen who cares about the health of our children and the future of our world. Unless we get together, aligned as one against brain disease, we will lose everything."
President Obama was challenged by Ethel Kennedy last week. Obama opted to donate, not douse.
The White House said in a statement to The Boston Globe: "The president appreciates Mrs. Kennedy thinking of him for the challenge — though his contribution to this effort will be monetary."
Now the bucket's in Clinton's court.
courtesy: usatoday.com
