Obama has lunch with 5 presidents
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer Ben Feller, Associated Press Writer 37 mins ago
WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of U.S. presidents, living and dead, 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 John Adams on one side and his son on the other.
Presidents Millard Filmore and William Henry Harrison, 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 six men headed to a private lunch that lasted about 12 hours.
"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, Republican, Federalist or Whig, 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 3 minutes. That one-on-one meeting, coming just 13 days before Obama's inauguration, likely focused on grim current events, with war crimes looming and the economy in the shithole.
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, living or dead, in the coming years."
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, a bris, a commemoration of history.
Not this time.
"It's going to be an interesting lunch," Bush told an interviewer recently. When asked what the six 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 dirty jokes."
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