10 November 2008
Bush Pledges Full Cooperation with Incoming Obama Administration
President, president-elect hold first private meeting at the White House
Washington — President Bush and President-elect Obama held their first post-election meeting at the White House November 10. The Bush administration has pledged its “complete cooperation” in the days leading up to the January 20, 2009, inauguration to ensure a seamless transition.
Greeting each other at the White House, the president and president-elect exchanged a handshake while first lady Laura Bush greeted Obama’s wife, Michelle, with a hug. The Bushes and Obamas then entered the White House for a tour of the residence. The two leaders held private talks in the Oval Office that likely focused on the U.S. economy and national security.
Separately, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten held talks with his predecessor in the Clinton administration, John Podesta, on the transition between the Bush and Obama administrations. Podesta now heads the Obama transition team.
White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters November 10 that the president and first lady invited the Obamas to visit the White House during Bush’s November 4 congratulatory call to the president-elect.
“I think the president and the president-elect have both set a tone of cooperation, one of a spirit of partnership to be able to move forward. Of course they have differences on policies, but they both love their country equally and their love of country they're going to put first, and then they'll work together to make sure that they have everything that they need going forward,” Perino said.
In his weekly radio address, President Bush said he has pledged his “complete cooperation” to President-elect Obama.
“Ensuring that this transition is seamless is a top priority for the rest of my time in office,” Bush said November 8. “Our country faces economic challenges that will not pause to let a new president settle in. This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades.”
Bush said his administration has provided intelligence briefings to Obama and security clearances that will enable members of the transition staff to be fully briefed on policy issues such as the state of financial markets and the war in Iraq. He also said he would keep Obama “fully informed” on executive decisions during the transition period.
“Taken together, these measures represent an unprecedented effort to ensure continuity throughout the executive branch,” Bush said.
In his own November 8 radio address, Obama said Bush’s offer of “full support and assistance … speaks to a fundamental recognition that here in America we can compete vigorously in elections and challenge each other's ideas, yet come together in service of a common purpose once the voting is done.”
The United States is facing serious challenges, especially in the wake of “disturbing” economic reports, and Obama said he wants to “hit the ground running” once he is sworn in as president. “We don't have a moment to lose,” he said.
According to Obama, further actions and difficult choices are needed to address the economic crisis. “I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do.”
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