Opinion: Bush basher Obama meets McCain backer Bush, all cordially

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

And then they both went in here and sat down on the beautiful rug that the new puppy will take care of pretty quickly.

It’s a ritual as old as the white house the British burned down in the War of 1812 in retaliation for the American sacking of Toronto.

A newly elected president and his wife -- Barack and Michelle Obama -- come to visit the residence for the nation’s president and get a tour from the current residents -- George W. and Laura Bush -- of the historic structure now called the White House.

Most such successor meetings are cordial, although as one video points out, John Adams couldn’t be bothered to shake his successor’s hand.

We have two videos this afternoon. The first here is raw footage of the first couple awaiting the first-couple-to-be and showing them around.

The second covers the actual meetings and details between the two men. As well as a friendly official statement on the meeting from the Obama transition office that notes Mrs. Obama got to meet the chief White House usher, who’s an actual admiral. So that must be an important job.

Click on the ‘Read more’ line below to see both items, plus a photo from the president’s private quarters.

-- Andrew Malcolm

To get automatic alerts for each new Ticket item, go here to register free.

Photo credits: Eric Draper / The White House

A statement from the Obama transition office:

“President-elect Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama were very warmly welcomed today at the White House by President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

“Upon arriving, President-elect Obama and President Bush proceeded to the Oval Office, where they had a productive and friendly meeting that lasted for over an hour.

“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.

“President-elect Obama thanked President Bush for his commitment to a smooth transition, and for his and First Lady Laura Bush’s gracious hospitality in welcoming the Obamas to the White House.

“After a brief private meeting, the First Lady led Mrs. Obama on a tour of the White House that focused primarily on the private residence of the historic home.

“After this tour, the First Lady and Mrs. Obama visited in the West Sitting Hall, where they discussed raising daughters in the White House, as Jenna and Barbara Bush were similar in age to Malia and Sasha Obama when they visited their grandfather, President George H. W. Bush, during his presidency.

“Mrs. Obama was honored to finally meet the First Lady, who was a gracious hostess. Following their visit, Mrs. Obama met with Admiral Rochon, the White House Chief Usher.”

Laura Bush and Michelle Obama chat in a cordial, bipartisan way in the president’s private quarters of the White House.

White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian