President George W. Bush hosted a luncheon at the White House uniting President-elect Barack Obama and all of the former living U.S. Presidents on January 7, 2009. See photos and video of the historic gathering of former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton which took place at Obama’s request.
It was the first such meeting of former Presidents since October 8, 1981 when Ronald Reagan was in the White House and summoned former Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford before they they all attended the funeral of assassinated Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
“We want you to succeed,” Bush told Obama as the group gathered for pictures in the Oval Office. “We care deeply about this country. And to the extent we can, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you.”
Obama thanked the president for playing host and the former presidents for sharing their knowledge.
“All the gentlemen here understand the pressures and possibilities of this office,” Obama said. “For me to have the opportunity to get the advice, good counsel and fellowship of these individuals is extraordinary and I’m very grateful.”
Source: Bush, Obama Gather With Former Presidents for Lunch
Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University in Houston, said the lunch was a “smart move” by Obama as he faces a devastated global economy, skyrocketing federal deficits and ongoing military conflicts overseas. The meeting also underscores the difference between the younger African American president-elect and his four white predecessors, he noted.
“Barack Obama can see that each of these presidents has a constituency of his own, and as he’s trying to unite the country, it serves him well to be seen with them and meet with them,” Brinkley said. “But it’s also a chance for him to look fresh and new.”
Source: Bush Hosts Once and Future Presidents at the White House
After the photo op in the Oval Office, Obama, Bush and the former Presidents met for a private 90 minute luncheon and conversation.
Here is video of the photo op.
via NY Times The Caucus Blog: Presidents Past, Present and Future
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Barack Obama George W. Bush Former Presidents Luncheon Video, Photos 1-7-09 pics pictures
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