Obama, Bush talk economy; Michelle takes a tour of White House

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington, Nov 11 (PTI) Inheriting a crisis-hit economy
and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. President-elect
Barack Obama Tuesday discussed the state of the nation with
incumbent George W. Bush during a face-to-face meeting at the
White House, a 132-room mansion he is set to occupy soon.

Obama, who stepped into the Oval Office for the first
time for talks with Bush, discussed with the outgoing
President the need to work together throughout the transition
period, in the face of critical economic and security
challenges, the Democrat's spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said.

The President-elect's wife Michelle, who accompanied him
to the White House, talked separately to First Lady Laura Bush
about raising her two daughters in their future abode.

"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," Cutter said.

The hour-long meeting between the 43rd and 44th
Presidents was "good, constructive and friendly" and focussed
on a range of domestic and international issues.

Another Obama spokesperson said the two leaders had
in-depth talks on the financial crisis and foreign affairs.
Apart from an economy in peril, Obama inherits unfinished U.S.
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, both launched by Bush.

Emphasising the need to overcome the economic crisis, Bush
and Obama discussed issues facing the country like the housing
industry, foreclosures and the troubled auto industry dubbed
by the Democrat as the "backbone of American manufacturing".

Obama, who will be inaugurated on January 20 when Bush
completes his eight-year rule, highlighted the need for swift
action to help struggling U.S. automakers.

During his meeting with Bush, Obama asked the outgoing
President to initiate an immediate rescue package for the
ailing auto sector, advisers to the first black American
president-elect were quoted as saying by the New York Times.
The two leaders "had a long meeting, described by the
President as good, constructive, relaxed and friendly. They
spoke about both domestic and international issues, though
since it was a private meeting the White House will decline to
comment on specifics," spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Bush showed Obama the living quarters, including the
office the President uses, the Lincoln Bedroom, and the rooms
that will be occupied by the Democrat's two young daughters.

"The President enjoyed his visit with the
President-elect, and he again pledged a smooth transition to
the next administration," Perino added.

Obama's transition team said he and his wife Michelle
were "very warmly" welcomed at the White House by Bush and
First Lady Laura.

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

"After this tour, the First Lady and Mrs Obama visited
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," said Stephanie Cutter of the Obama Campaign.

The Obama-Bush meeting came six days after the Democrat
defeated his Republican rival John McCain in Presidential
polls following a bitterly fought campaign which saw him
coming down heavily on the incumbent's "failed policies".

Bush is leaving the White House with the disapproval
ratings of 76 percent, much lower than what President
Richard Nixon had when he quit office in 1974 with impeachment
hanging over his head. PTI S.K.
RKM
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