Transcript of Bush, Obama at Presidential Photo Op

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                                       January 7, 2009

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH
AND PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH
FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON,
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH,
AND FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER

Oval Office

12:00 P.M. EST

PRESIDENT BUSH:  I want to thank the President-elect for joining the ex-Presidents for lunch.  And one message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed.  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.  All of us who have served in this office understand that the office transcends the individual.  And we wish you all the very best.  And so does the country.

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA:  Thank you.

I just want to thank the President for hosting us.  This is an extraordinary gathering.  All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office.  And 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.

But, again, thank you, Mr. President, for hosting us.

END            12:02 P.M. EST