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President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle met with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush today as they took their first official tour of the White House.
As part of his swift transition process, Obama wasted no time meeting with his predecessor just days after winning the election.
The two men walked together by the Rose Garden on their way to the Oval Office, where it is customary for both the President and president-elect to sit across from one another and discuss pressing issues such as the economy, the war in Iraq, and national security.
Over the weekend, newly appointed Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel spoke to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, saying, “The core economic part of his strategy is the middle class. That is the basis of it, George, and the economic plan was built on that.”
Michelle Obama and Mrs. Bush followed their own schedule, walking through what will become the Obama’s new residence in January. Michelle may also take the time to visit area schools where daughters Malia and Sasha will attend in the spring.
Obama has said he looks forward to meeting with Bush. It’s rumored that after receiving documentation on several of Bush’s policies last week, Obama will use his executive powers to reverse some of them, namely embryonic stem cell research and domestic drilling for oil and natural gas.