Here’s some photos of a certain gathering we don’t often see unless it’s at a funeral for a President:
During the meeting between the current, future, and former leaders of the free world, the men who have all shared the same office and powerful responsibilities talked about the duties of the office.
“One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed,” said President George Bush to President-elect Barack Obama.
“Whether we’re Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country. And to the extent we can, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you. All of us who have served in this office understand that the office transcends the individual. And we wish you all the very best. And so does the country.”
President-elect Obama thanked President Bush for hosting the meeting and noted the opportunity to rely on the other men in the room in running the country.
“I just want to thank the President for hosting us,” said Obama. “This is an extraordinary gathering.”
“All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office. And for me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary. And I’m very grateful to all of them.”
The Presidential group had lunch in a room next to the Oval Office where they dined privately with no one else in the room.
“All of us would love to be flies on the wall and listening to that conversation,” White House press secretary Dana Perino said to the Associated Press.
The meeting of all of the current living Presidents of the United States is the first since President Ronald Reagan hosted leaders in the White House in 1981 with Reagan, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and future President George H.W. Bush present at the same time. source.
