Barack Obama Hails ‘Extraordinary Gathering’ With All U.S. Presidents

WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama says coming together with all the U.S. presidents is an “extraordinary gathering.“

Obama stood in the Oval Office on Wednesday with President George W. Bush and three former presidents: Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter. The president-elect said all of them understand the pressures of the job and he looks forward to sharing time with them.

Bush was hosting a rare lunch for the leaders at the White House. He told Obama that all the presidents want him to succeed.

Obama and Bush held a private meeting before they were joined by the three former presidents.