Obama, Bush planning to meet again - with a twist
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/17/art.getty.obama.bush.jpg caption="President Bush and President-elect Obama will meet with three former presidents in January."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN has learned that President-elect Barack Obama and President Bush have privately agreed to try and come together again in January for a second post-election meeting at the White House, but this time they're inviting the three living former presidents as well.
Two sources familiar with the plans tell CNN that at their first post-election meeting in the Oval Office on Nov. 10, Obama proposed that the two men get together again before the inaugural along with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George Herbert Walker Bush and Bill Clinton.
The sources said the current President quickly agreed it would be a good idea and all sides are trying to make it happen somewhere between Jan. 1 and the Jan. 20 inaugural, though coordinating the schedules of five onetime commanders-in-chief can be difficult.
The high-powered meeting is another sign of how closely the Obama and Bush teams have been working together to try and make sure the first post-9/11 transfer of power goes smoothly.
"It's been unbelievably cooperative," said one Democratic official who was not authorized to speak publicly about the private conversations between the President and President-elect.
Update, 6:36 p.m.: The White House has confirmed that the meeting will take place on January 7. "President Bush will host a lunch for President-elect Obama and former Presidents Carter, Clinton, and Bush," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told CNN. Perino also said the White House would release additional details about the meeting as January 7 approaches.
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wow...talk about a photo op
Obama, throw a shoe while you're there.....(just kidding)
I'm glad the transition is going smoothly. Just keep your eyes and ears peeled....
AGAIN OBAMA PROVE ITS UNITE.... I LOVE U PRES-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
Good....can we ask them all to bring their original birth certificates please?
Everybody want to be a part of history. LOL
I remember my 1st. management position – I met with several previous people who filled that position in prior years.....because I didn't have a clue???
I think it's great to see them working together to make a smooth transition.
That is a very good move. it should build on the goodwill and support that the next president – Barack Obama, will need from all former presidents.
talk about wishing to be a fly on that wall, it'd be interesting to see.
Obama has some very unusualy qualities that I have not seen in politicans. He is able to bring people together for the good of the country, this is what you really call "Country First". He will do what ever it take and pull together people that can help to pull the country together.
WELL DONE PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!
Matt-
'wow…talk about a photo op'
Matt, get your head out the kool-aid! I see this meeting of future, present, and past presidents great. The transition will run smoothly. My only regret on this meeting is that they are not meeting to discuss issues like the environment and the economy.
~Lawrence in Denver
The transition always goes smoothly when it's a republican handing off to a democrat......not the case when it's a democrat handing off to a republican(see Clinton administration & Carter administration).
This will be a interesting meeting, would love to be a fly on the wall.
This is a good thing.......all the living people who've been there and done that, schooling the newby.
Excellent idea!!
Bush: Hey Buddy, Here's the keys .... I'm out of here.
trying to unite the country after deviding it so baddly.
GREAT IDEA:
GO BARACK AND JOE
interesting
Why the need to always put "living" in front of former presidents, the non-living ones weren't invited?
Give'em heck Bush!
He is The Man......
It sounds like and looks like Clinton would have the best information to suggest to Obama......Definitely not the republicans !!
Larry C.
Houston, Texas
Actually, there is more brains in a saturday barber shop than all these Washington clowns
What qualifications, other than inheiritance, does she have to be Senator? It's a little "Palinesque, " isn't it?
At least Palin had some public service and executive experience.
My Man Obama is a genius. I mean I dont care what your politically party is you have to admit to get past and presents Presidents together to iscuss a host of issues and brain storm is brilliant. now that's COUNTRY FIRST!