Former presidents join Obama, Bush for historic meeting

Barack Obama said Wednesday he hoped to learn from his predecessors as he met outgoing President George W. Bush and all living former presidents at the White House, where he will soon face daunting challenges as the next commander-in-chief.

In a historic but relaxed tableau, Obama said he welcomed the insights of his predecessors as Bush wished him well when he takes over on January 20.

"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," said Obama, standing next to Bush and three former occupants of the White House, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

"For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary. And I'm very grateful to all of them," he told reporters in the Oval Office.

Asked what lessons he would seek to learn the nation's other presidents, Obama quipped "from their successes."

With less than two weeks to go before Bush steps down after entering the White House in 2001, the current US president said regardless of party differences he wanted Obama to succeed.

"One message that I have and that I think we all share is that we want you to succeed," Bush, a Republican, told Obama, a Democrat, before the men went into a private lunch.

"Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country. And to the extent we can, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you," Bush said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino called it "a historic gathering."

"Although they may disagree on some policy prescriptions in order to solve problems in America, they're obviously all rooting for the same team," she said.

Obama, who on January 20 will inherit wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a dire economic recession and more conflict in the Middle East, met Bush one-on-one briefly earlier.

Then the two men sat down with their predecessors, the 39th, the 41st and 42nd presidents, Jimmy Carter (1977-1981), the father of the current president, George H.W. Bush (1989-93) and Bill Clinton (1993-2001).

It was the first such meeting at the White House since October 8, 1981, when the assassination of Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat gathered Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter with then US president Ronald Reagan, Perino said.

The five men had "a constructive conversation" Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement afterwards.

"The president-elect was grateful for their counsel and the spirit of bipartisanship they showed in wishing his administration success in meeting the challenges we all share as Americans," Gibbs said, adding Obama planned to stay in touch with all of them.

This White House transition has been described as the most difficult since the Great Depression of the 1930s, or even the Civil War era when Abraham Lincoln entered the White House in 1861.

Perino said although the conversation would remain private, she imagined the men would discuss the Middle East and the economy.

"Every one of these presidents has dealt with the challenges there as they've evolved over time," she said.

"Given that the economy is number one on everyone's priority list ... I'm sure they'll talk about that," Perino said.

The talk among the former, current and future US presidents at lunch was also expected to touch on raising children in the White House, she said.

"I'm sure they'll also have a chance to talk about experiences and memories that they have in the White House, both on the personal side -- such as raising a family in the public eye and raising a family in the White House -- and also what it's like to be in the post-presidency, as President Bush is about to experience in about 12 days."

It was the second time Obama visited the White House since his November election victory. Bush hosted the president-elect on November 10.