Obamas Visit White House
Presidential transition begins in Oval Office
President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama meet in the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo: White House photo by Eric Draper)
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush welcomed President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, to the White House on Monday. The visit was a big step in the transfer of power from the Bush administration to the Obama administration. This transition will culminate with Obama's inauguration on January 20, 2009.
"The President and the President-elect had a long meeting, described by [President Bush] as good, constructive, relaxed, and friendly," said White House press secretary Dana Perino. "The President enjoyed his visit with the President-elect, and he again pledged a smooth transition to the next administration."
Bush and Obama met privately in the Oval Office, where they discussed a variety of national and international issues. Among the items on their agenda were the nation's current economic crisis, national security, and the war in Iraq. It was the Obamas' first visit to the Oval Office.
During the hourlong meeting, Laura Bush gave future First Lady Michelle Obama a tour of the White House living quarters. While visiting, the two talked about raising daughters in the White House. The Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara, were 18 years old when their father was elected president in 2000. The Obamas are proud parents of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.
"Mrs. Obama was honored to finally meet the First Lady, who was a gracious hostess," said Stephanie Cutter, spokeswoman for Obama's transition team.
President-elect Obama got a tour of his own, courtesy of President Bush, who escorted him around the White House, including a trip to the Lincoln Bedroom.
While they did not make any public statements, Bush and Obama posed for photographers and waved to reporters before heading into the Oval Office. Outside the White House gates, a crowd gathered to witness the historic visit.
"I flew in from Dallas last night, just for this," said Karen Collins, 42, who anxiously awaited the arrival of Obama's motorcade. "When I got here, I could feel the love."
President-elect Obama's transition team leader, John Podesta, praised the Bush administration for its "excellent" spirit of cooperation since Election Day.
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Scholastic Kid Reporters covered Election Day from their home states across the country. Check out their coverage of Election 2008 at here.
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Karen Fanning is a contributing writer for Scholastic News Online.
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