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Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Carter Break Bread Together

by duo | January 7, 2009 at 06:48 pm

1403 views | 16 Recommendations | 6 comments

America's past presidents met today with the current and future president in a meeting at the White House. It was a rare event that President Bush said President-elect Obama suggested to him in November. The meeting gave an opportunity for world leaders to pass on any advice they wished to impart to our incoming president, and to gather for what must have been an interesting luncheon. Each man ordered his own special menu item as America's past presidents and President-elect Obama set an important example of unity for the nation.

More about the meeting as well as video footage and photographs are available at the link below.

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Obama: Former Presidents Meeting “Extraordinary” (VIDEO) (SLIDESHOW)

(AP) WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presidents as extraordinary on Wednesday, while President George W. Bush wished him well and pledged that the office "transcends the individual."

"I just want to thank the president for hosting us,"the president-elect said, flanked by former President George H.W. Bush on one side and his son on the other.

Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, both smiling broadly, stood with them.

"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," Obama said. "For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary."

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Mary Neal
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A. Tran

at 20:46 on January 7th, 2009

It's an extraordinary gathering of living Presidents with the incoming President of the United States. Mr. Obama spoke briefly about this meeting although, we will never know what they all discuss during the luncheon.

duo

at 13:33 on January 8th, 2009

Pythiian 1, thanks for your comment. That is a meeting to wonder about for sure. I am happy they showed the nation how important it is to put differences aside and sit at the table together and put our nation first.

What an exciting place to work the White House must be! I can imagine the extra preparations that the staff made for this historic meeting - from the kitchen staff to the top presidential aides. Some of the White House staff may have been there throughout all of these men's presidencies, you know. I saw a PBS documentary about the White House that included information about the chefs and kitchen staff. They were likely so excited and honored to facilitate the success of the presidents' meeting by rendering exceptional service and perhaps trading a few hellos with these world leaders. Yes indeed, the White House must be a very interesting work environment.

A. Tran

at 19:26 on January 8th, 2009

You're welcome, Mary. They all belong to a very exclusive club and it is unique in that a future President is included in such a meeting. History has shown that past and current Presidents have only gathered when there is state funeral, or a foreign leader.

Sanjay Jha

at 20:49 on January 7th, 2009

Great post. Is it the first time such a meet has been organised? May be they can give their tips of governance to incoming president.

duo

at 13:36 on January 8th, 2009

Thanks for writing your thoughts, Sanjay! I heard President Bush mention that as a possible topic for discussion at the luncheon, but he said if not that, they would just swap stories and enjoy each other's company.

Mary

duo

at 22:02 on January 8th, 2009

Sanjay, the videos were a nice addition to the story. Thanks! It says "Obama and Past US Presidents meet at the White House 07_01_09." I think I understand now that you put the day before the month, am I right?

Mary