Obama has lunch with 4 presidents

[bojack34 2]

Obama has lunch with 4 presidents

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 12:24 PM EST

The Associated Press

By BEN FELLER Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presidents as an extraordinary event on Wednesday as the current occupant, President George W. Bush, reminded his predecessors and successor 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."

In a swift photo opportunity, the current president wished Obama well before all five men headed to a private lunch that lasted about 90 minutes.

"I want to thank the president-elect for joining the ex-presidents for lunch," Bush said, even though he's not quite a member of that club yet.

"One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country," Bush said. "All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual."

He added: "We wish you all the very best, and so does the country."

Bush and Obama also met privately for roughly 30 minutes. That one-on-one meeting, coming just 13 days before Obama's inauguration, likely focused on grim current events, with war in the Gaza Strip and the economy in a recession.

It had been an entire generation since the nation last saw the tableau of every U.S. president together at the White House. The presidents have gathered at other locations over the years, most recently for the funeral of President Gerald Ford in Washington.

Obama suggested holding the gathering when he met Bush at the White House in November.

All parties seemed determined to keep details of what was discussed confidential.

Describing the lunch only in broad terms after it ended, Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs said: "The president and the former presidents had helpful advice on managing the office, as well as thoughts on the critical issues facing the country right now. The president-elect is anxious to stay in touch with all of them in the coming years."

Obama has sought to strike a balance as the power curve bends his way. Before taking office, he is publicly rallying Congress behind a massive economic stimulus plan. But he remains deferential to Bush on foreign affairs and will not comment on Israel's deadly conflict with Hamas on grounds that doing so would be dangerous for the United States.

"You can't have two administrations running foreign policy at the same time," Obama said at a news conference earlier in the day.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden also held a private meeting with former President Bush at the White House on Wednesday.

Considering the bond they hold in history, U.S. presidents gets together infrequently, particularly at the White House. And when they are in the same room, it is usually for a milestone or somber moment — a funeral of a world leader, an opening of a presidential library, a commemoration of history.

Not this time.

"It's going to be an interesting lunch," Bush told an interviewer recently. When asked what the five men would talk about, Bush said: "I don't know. I'm sure (Obama's) going to ask us all questions, I would guess. If not, we'll just share war stories."

They have plenty of those, political and otherwise. Their paths to power have long been entwined.

Carter lost the presidency to Ronald Reagan, whose running mate was George H.W. Bush. Bush later won election but lost after one term to Clinton. Then Bush's son, the current president, defeated Clinton's vice president, Al Gore. And this year Obama won after long linking his opponent, John McCain, to Bush.

Those campaign rivalries tend to soften over time as presidents leave the White House and try to adopt the role of statesmen — although Carter, even as an ex-president, has had some critical public words for the current president's foreign policy.

All five men were to pose for a group photo in the Rose Garden, but a January rainstorm scrapped that plan. So the noontime photo opportunity — the media's only glimpse of them — was moved indoors to the Oval Office.

The presidents and Obama were having lunch in a private dining room off the Oval Office, where no one else was expected to join them.

"All of us would love to be flies on the wall and listening to that conversation," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

The rare presidential joint appearance also offered Bush, who ends his two terms deeply unpopular, to again show he is rising above the fray.

The last White House event to draw the former presidents was a November 2000 celebration in honor of the White House's 200th anniversary. But one of the former presidents, Ronald Reagan, who was afflicted with Alzheimer's, was unable to attend.

All the presidents were last at the White House in 1981: Richard Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan, who was president then. The three former presidents were there before leaving as part of the U.S. delegation to the funeral of Egypt's Anwar Sadat, who had been assassinated.

I must say it is nice to see our current,former and future presidents coming together putting partisan politics aside.

[otterinbham 0]

Man, I would have given my right youknowwhat to have been a fly on the wall at that meeting.

I'm sure every single one of the presidents probably told Obama what to watch out for, so he doesn't get blindsided. In fact, if each President gave him advice, what would it be?

Carter, in particular, would counsel Obama to not be too naive, particularly in dealings with foreign leaders. He would also discuss alternative energy policy as having absolute strategic importance for the country.

Bush I probably would counsel Obama to articulate a clear and consistent vision to the nation on an ongoing basis, something he failed to do after Gulf War I and the collapse of the Soviets. He would also talk about the nuance and importance of leverage and statecraft, of which he was an absolute master. In terms of diplomacy, I would be hard pressed to find a more skillful president in that department.

Clinton would tell Obama to not let the power go to his head and to keep his pecker in his pants. And steer to the center, rather listen to the lefties in the party, something that Obama seems to be doing (To my absolute and total astonishment, I have to admit).

Bush II probably would say, "Well, when you face a problem, think about what I'd do and do the opposite."

[OldNewby 27]

I wish President-elect Obama nothing but the best, and pray he becomes one of our best Presidents. The country needs for him to be successful!

[arnaldoabru 11]

Man, I would have given my right youknowwhat to have been a fly on the wall at that meeting.

I'm sure every single one of the presidents probably told Obama what to watch out for, so he doesn't get blindsided. In fact, if each President gave him advice, what would it be?

Carter, in particular, would counsel Obama to not be too naive, particularly in dealings with foreign leaders. He would also discuss alternative energy policy as having absolute strategic importance for the country.

Bush I probably would counsel Obama to articulate a clear and consistent vision to the nation on an ongoing basis, something he failed to do after Gulf War I and the collapse of the Soviets. He would also talk about the nuance and importance of leverage and statecraft, of which he was an absolute master. In terms of diplomacy, I would be hard pressed to find a more skillful president in that department.

Clinton would tell Obama to not let the power go to his head and to keep his pecker in his pants. And steer to the center, rather listen to the lefties in the party, something that Obama seems to be doing (To my absolute and total astonishment, I have to admit).

Bush II probably would say, "Well, when you face a problem, think about what I'd do and do the opposite."

Busg II "I thought they were all Muslims, Damn"

[autigeremt 6,791]

I wish President-elect Obama nothing but the best, and pray he becomes one of our best Presidents. The country needs for him to be successful!

I second that!

[RunInRed 16,636]

Did any one else notice the total akwardness between Carter and Clinton during the brief photo shoot/statement? I never realized how big the rub was between these two guys--primarily related to foreign policy in the 90s and Carter's "parachute for peace" missions, I assume.

Agree with Otter, to be there would have been priceless.

One other thought: It was interesting to see all of the Presidents through the historical lense of today. Carter, Bush I being both one term guys, and Clinton and Bush II surviving for two. Which group will Obama belong to when we look back 8-10 years from now?

[otterinbham 0]

Did any one else notice the total akwardness between Carter and Clinton during the brief photo shoot/statement? I never realized how big the rub was between these two guys--primarily related to foreign policy in the 90s and Carter's "parachute for peace" missions, I assume.

Agree with Otter, to be there would have been priceless.

One other thought: It was interesting to see all of the Presidents through the historical lense of today. Carter, Bush I being both one term guys, and Clinton and Bush II surviving for two. Which group will Obama belong to when we look back 8-10 years from now?

That is the $64,000 question, given the hand he's been dealt. I think 2008-2009 will prove, in retrospect, such a terrifying economic period that the nation will be grateful for anybody who steers the country to calmer waters. If Obama manages that, then the American people are probably going to cut him a lot of slack. People like me will grumble at his methods and the long-term consequences of his measures, of course, but a stable economy will be a plus in his column.

Then there is the wild card of international relations, where ANYTHING can happen over the next four years. India and Pakistan could start lobbing shells, and then nukes at one another. China could become more financially assertive--or could be exposed as a house of cards. Putin's strongarming tactics and their corresponding effect on EU unity, not to mention another possible Russian economic collapse. Iran and Israel. Venezuela. North Korea. Another terrorist strike. Leave anything out?

My reasoning was, five months ago, that Obama or McCain would be a one-termer. However, the expectations for economic performance in this country are so low now, that it becomes easier for President Obama to satisfy public opinion on that score. Let's just pray that some idiot doesn't press the button somewhere in the world during the next two years.

[RunInRed 16,636]

There's always the international wild card but I tend to agree that if Obama and team is able to steer us out of the recession, he will have a lot of good will come the next election. The other two big domestic milestones that he will be judged on are healthcare and energy -- I'm cautiously optimistic he will be able to uphold campaign promises, even with the current state of our economy. But at the end of the day it's the bottom line and I expect him to get things done. I advocated and supported Obama feverishly but I will be off the wagon as quick as I was on if he doesn't deliver. I'm tired of all the talk of the last 20 years and beyond and I believe so are the American people.

The other thing to consider is and it's early...but I'm not sure I see a candidate on the right that can compete with Obama's political moxy at this point -- again, assuming a level playing field.

[otterinbham 0]

There's always the international wild card but I tend to agree that if Obama and team is able to steer us out of the recession, he will have a lot of good will come the next election. The other two big domestic milestones that he will be judged on are healthcare and energy -- I'm cautiously optimistic he will be able to uphold campaign promises, even with the current state of our economy. But at the end of the day it's the bottom line and I expect him to get things done. I advocated and supported Obama feverishly but I will be off the wagon as quick as I was on if he doesn't deliver. I'm tired of all the talk of the last 20 years and beyond and I believe so are the American people.

The other thing to consider is and it's early...but I'm not sure I see a candidate on the right that can compete with Obama's politial moxy at this point -- again, assuming a level playing field.

That's a good point. The only one I can think of at this point is Jindal, and he's really not going to be ready for prime time until 2016. Who knows, however? Heck, four years ago, nobody would have guessed that Obama would have come so far so fast.

[CCTAU 3,362]

There's always the international wild card but I tend to agree that if Obama and team is able to steer us out of the recession, he will have a lot of good will come the next election. The other two big domestic milestones that he will be judged on are healthcare and energy -- I'm cautiously optimistic he will be able to uphold campaign promises, even with the current state of our economy. But at the end of the day it's the bottom line and I expect him to get things done. I advocated and supported Obama feverishly but I will be off the wagon as quick as I was on if he doesn't deliver. I'm tired of all the talk of the last 20 years and beyond and I believe so are the American people.

The other thing to consider is and it's early...but I'm not sure I see a candidate on the right that can compete with Obama's political moxy at this point -- again, assuming a level playing field.

Political moxy? If not for the financial meltdown, he very well could have lost. Many were leaning toward the familiar when the crap hit the fan. A few blunders in the next few years and it could be close again. There are a lot of people on the fence watching very closely.

As for Carter, why would he say anything? The only difference between he and Carter is a small shade of mocha.

I wonder if Bush II gave him his jar of "media lube". Or will he even need it?

[RunInRed 16,636]

Political moxy? If not for the financial meltdown, he very well could have lost. Many were leaning toward the familiar when the crap hit the fan. A few blunders in the next few years and it could be close again. There are a lot of people on the fence watching very closely.

As for Carter, why would he say anything? The only difference between he and Carter is a small shade of mocha.

I wonder if Bush II gave him his jar of "media lube". Or will he even need it?

Where ya been buddy? Long time no see on this forum.

[CCTAU 3,362]

Political moxy? If not for the financial meltdown, he very well could have lost. Many were leaning toward the familiar when the crap hit the fan. A few blunders in the next few years and it could be close again. There are a lot of people on the fence watching very closely.

As for Carter, why would he say anything? The only difference between he and Carter is a small shade of mocha.

I wonder if Bush II gave him his jar of "media lube". Or will he even need it?

Where ya been buddy? Long time no see on this forum.

Been holed up in a facility with rubber walls. Took some time to get over the idiocy of the leeches of this country.

Plus the holidays are time for family, not as much message board time.

I still won't say his name, but I will pray for him....and the rest of us.

MUST....LET.....GO......OF...........BITTER...........THOUGHTS.

[RunInRed 16,636]

Hah, welcome back.

[autigeremt 6,791]

To be....or not to be...........

That is the stupidest question of all LOL!