Obama Hails 'Extraordinary Gathering'

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed Jan 7, 2009 3:40 PM EST

Article Source: msnbc.com

First White House reunion of all living former U.S. leaders since 1981

WASHINGTON - 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.

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{"commentId":4704704,"authorDomain":"IndependentVoter"}

IndependentVoter

"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."

Amen

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1 vote

#1 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 3:42 PM EST

{"commentId":4707349,"authorDomain":"watersportgirl"}

watersportgirl

"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."

If he had only decided to have this meeting at the beginning of his presidency and regularly throughout, rather than on the way out, we'd all be better off.

Nice going, George. Brilliant. A day late and a dollar short.

{"commentId":4707349,"threadId":"463536","contentId":"2285267","authorDomain":"watersportgirl"}

1 vote

#2 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:34 PM EST

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	Obama Has Lunch With 4 Presidents	Yahoo! News	Wed Jan 7	3
	Obama hails 'extraordinary' moment with presidents	Associated Press	Wed Jan 7	7

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Obama Hails 'Extraordinary Gathering'

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