Obama and Bush 'relaxed and friendly' during White House visit
Barack Obama enjoyed a “relaxed and friendly” meeting with President George Bush as he visited the White House for the first time since becoming US president-elect.
It was the first time that Mr Obama, the first black US president-elect in history, had set foot inside the Oval Office.
The two leaders, who have both stressed the need for a smooth transition of power in a time of war and global economic crisis, did not speak to reporters during yesterday’s visit.
But White House press secretary Dana Perino said afterwards that Mr Bush described the encounter as “constructive, relaxed and friendly”, covering problems at home and abroad, and that he personally pledged a smooth transition.
The outgoing president gave Mr Obama a sneak peek at White House highlights, such as the Lincoln Bedroom and the president’s office in the residence, after their hour-plus talks in the Oval Office, she added.
Obama transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said the president-elect thanked Mr Bush for both his hospitality and transition help.
“They had a broad discussion about the importance of working together throughout the transition of government in light of the nation’s many critical economic and security challenges,” she said.
Mr Obama and Mr Bush posed with their wives for photographs at the South Portico of the White House before the two leaders entered the Diplomatic Reception Room.
Michelle Obama was given a tour of the couple’s future home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by first lady Laura Bush.
“We expect that the conversation will include topics such as raising a family in the White House and the support of the executive residence staff, which has been really unbelievable for the president and Mrs Bush and they are very grateful for it,” Ms Perino said before the visit.
Outside the White House, crowds built throughout the day with people pressing their noses through the fencing around the White House complex in hopes of getting a glimpse of the first family to be.
Street vendors operating nearby were already stocked with Obama-related merchandise.
As Mr Obama was flying from his home in Chicago to the White House yesterday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed Mr Obama’s election as a source of “hope and inspiration” and he urged the US to join with Europe to build a new global order.
In his annual foreign policy address to the City of London, Mr Brown called on fellow world leaders to “seize the moment” and lay the foundations for the “first truly global society”.
