Former President George H. W. Bush greets President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as they arrive at Intercontinental Airport on April 9, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
(HOUSTON) — A visit to Texas by President Barack and Michelle Obama prompted bus detours and some downtown street closures through Thursday morning.
The president and first lady flew into Bush Intercontinental Airport on Air Force One from Killeen on Wednesday after attending a 2 p.m. service for the Fort Hood victims.
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The Obamas had an unexpected greeter upon his arrival in Houston: former President George H.W. Bush.
Seated in a wheelchair, Bush was waiting at the steps of Air Force One as the Obamas exited the plane. The 89-year-old, who has become known for his colorful socks, donned a red, white and blue pair for the occasion.
The short reunion between the presidents occurred at an airport named in Bush’s honor.
They shook hands and talked for a few moments. The former president also greeted several lawmakers and White House aides traveling with Obama.
The Obamas are in town to host several fundraisers for the Democratic National Convention and House and Senate Democrats in the homes of big donors — one of them Attorney John Eddie Williams.
Lane Lewis, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, said Obama has done well among voters in the Houston area.
“In 2008, President Obama became the first president to carry Harris County since Lyndon Baines Johnson, and he carried Harris County in 2012 as well,” Lewis said.
The fundraising stop in Houston is one of many. The president has agreed to hold more than a dozen fundraisers for congressional Democrats in the run up to the 2014 mid-term elections.
On Thursday, they are scheduled to tour the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin for a Civil Rights Summit to honor the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
Obama’s arrival in Houston is affecting traffic. Primarily, METRO Park & Ride routes are affected. Smith Street at Clay and the I-45 exit access to Jefferson Street will be closed through noon Thursday. Parts of Pease and Brazos will also be closed.
Click here to see if your route is affected by the Smith and Jefferson Street closures.
METRO Houston will have staff on the streets during the afternoon rush hour to help our customers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Obama Arrives in Houston was originally published on news92fm.com
