Oct 16, 2009 3:35 pm US/Central
Obama Makes First Visit To Texas As President
Reporting
Jack Fink
COLLEGE STATION (CBS 11 / AP) ―
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Former president George H.W. Bush smiles after introducing US President Barack Obama October 16, 2009 during the 'Points of Light' forum at Texas A&M University's Rudder Auditorium in College Station.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Barack Obama wasn't exactly greeted warmly in his first visit to Texas as President. Hundreds of protestors were on hand at Texas A&M in College Station for President Obama's visit to former President George Bush's library.
The protestors gathered hours before the President was set to speak at the library. Former President Bush invited Mr. Obama to the library for the 20th anniversary of the Points of Light foundation Bush founded when he was President to encourage voluntary public service.
The protesters were allowed to gather at a park near the auditorium where Obama would speak but he would not be able to see them as a parking garage blocked the view from the park.
Bush had said the event was not political. Nevertheless, the protesters gave speeches criticizing Obama's efforts to reform health care. Many of the protesters were from anti-tax Tea Party groups that bused in members from around the state.
Mike Openshaw traveled from North Texas to the A&M campus. "The government is not the answer to everything, that the government taking over things to make them more cost efficient and to make them work better has never worked for anything the government has done."
Many students opposed the protests, noting that government rhetoric was not what today was about. "President Obama is not here to argue his healthcare bills, he's here to honor community service and as a school, we should be honored we're being recognized that has high values" said A&M student Bridget Russell.
UT Arlington political science professor Allan Saxe agrees with the senior Presidents Bush and Obama about trying to keep politics out. "I think it's probably a good thing if President Obama would emphasize community spirit which Points of Light is all about and leave Afghanistan, health care, sending of troops, the economy for another day."
The President spoke Friday afternoon at a forum on community service.
He paid respects to President Bush, former first Lady Barbara Bush, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the former school president of Texas A&M.
Mr. Obama praised President Bush and the Points of Light Foundation.
"In the end, service binds us to each other to our communities and to our country in a way nothing else can. That's how we become more fully American, that's what it means to be American."
In turn, Bush praised the President for his work. ""It was no surprise that on the eve of his historic inauguration our President sounded a call to service. We can't allow any idol hands, President-Elect Obama said this past January, everyone will have to pitch in."
Among those who are not in attendance today to welcome the Presidents were the state's top three elected officials, Governor Rick Perry and Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. Their staffs say they did receive invitations to be here on Wednesday, but that all three had prior commitments.
Both Perry and Cornyn were in North Texas today. Saxe says it's understandable none of them were there. "I wouldn't read anything into the other political personalities will not be there, noboby wanted this to become a major political event."
Former President George W. Bush was also not in attendance, his staff told CBS 11 he also had a prior commitment.
After today's speech President Obama left for Houston before heading back to Washington, D.C.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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