Reader comments
Bush, Obama gather with former presidents for lunch

Good start | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

While we can all disagree on many fronts, it is nice this group together to offer assistance and wisdom to our new president elect. I didn't vote for Obama, but I do wish him safety, wisdom and great success in leading our country.

JRS | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Good to see Jimmy Carter attend. He can give Obama a lot of advice on what not to do. Carter is possibly to worst president to have ever lead this great nation.

CITIZEN | 12:34 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

With big bubba's former partners in crime back in the WHITE HOUSE,GOD help us all!!!

Comments continue below

Just wondering | 12:38 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Former President Clinton was watched very closely during his visit to the White House. Right?? Can't trust that dude in a room alone.

scary scene | 1:01 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

seeing Jimmy Carter back in the Oval office was a frightening scene remembering that interest rates were at 22% and inflation about the same along with the Iran Hostage debacle and a host of other nightmarish events going on. Bubba was probably remembering the good ole impeachment days and Bush I remembering those thousand points of light. Bush II more than happy to see Obama in the oval office knowing he will soon be able to dump the multiple messes he created on the new guy.

Splitme2 | 1:05 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I was trying to figure out if their choice of tie color had anything to do with Republican or Democrat; I guess not.

wallofvoodoo | 1:04 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office isn't scary. He wan't bad, he just didn't get anything done. He was a much better former president than a president. The only scary one was Clinton if you are an intern. ;)

Anonymous | 1:17 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

What a lesson to everyone to be polite almost on the border to hypocrite! Seeing all together at first gave me a patriotism feeling but the second after I just remembered how bad they were on their own time! I think Carter is actually smiling because Bush II is fighting his position as the worst president. And Clinton? did the oval room bring you some memories?

Jeff | 1:48 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The comments here really point up the fact that it's impossible to please everyone. The tone is sort of like "Mommy didn't give me the biggest piece of candy. Now I hate her." Also these guys know how to separate politics from personal life. It is just a job.

Tom | 2:08 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

One is worse than the other?

That's the lineup that has helped bring our country to its demise...each has done their own part and each is part of a grander plan to destroy our sovereignty. Seriously, all of these so-called "presidents" have all (or, in Obama's case, will) taken steps one after the other to destroy our constitutional rights.

It's time to open your eyes sheeple.

Fairly content | 2:13 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

At 59 year of age, I have lived through all of these administrations. The truth of the matter is that my life, and most Americans, was not really changed much by any of them. Too many of us are quick to blame everything on the President. We allow ourselves to think the President has more influence than he really does. The great majority of us can be grateful for what we have and the blessing of being an American. I grew up knowing that my life was in my hands and it was all up to me to make my way. Get an education, work hard at your job, treat people with respect and fairness and live with integrity and purpose. Happiness usually follows that formula.

No surprises here | 2:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Totally predictable Dnews reader comments. Now I think I'll go over to the Tribune forum and read the totally predictable comments about the horror of seeing Bush 1 and 2 in the Oval Office at the same time.

Re: JRS | 2:20 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

No there have been some significantly worse. Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan are two that come to mind. It is great to see the living Presidents come together and perhaps spark a bit of common ground for America.

Anonymous | 2:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

JRS | 12:33 p.m You drank the Koolaid. Carter was stuck with economic problems from Nixon. He had Reagan cutting arms deals with Iran before he was elected. Cater was a Christian too.

Oscar the grouch | 2:24 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

one of these things are not like the other
one of these things is not the same

GOBAMA!!!!!

Nixon | 2:26 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Where is Nixon the poster boy of all things GOP?

oh that's right he's in the GOP happy hunting grounds

Not all that shines is.. | 2:51 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Agreed, I'm saddened to see Martin Van Buren on a dollar coin, shouldve skipped that one.

Frank | 2:54 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The presidents job is to take the blame for everything we do and everything politicians do. They dont have as much power as we pretend they do, but if we realized that it would be hard to blame the hole we've dug on them.

Saddly Obama will find this out soon too. Theres no one more loved than a President Elect and nothing more hated than a President in office.

anonmous | 4:04 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Carter, honest but spineless

Bush 1 got very little done, and set us up for the next Bush

Clinton, did absloutly nothing except exploit the office for his own gain. Sex, impeachment, Hillaries asperations.

Bush 2 enough said.

We can hope that Obama will accept no advice from any of the past presidents. He has enough baggage of his own, and socialism is on his platter along with Nancy.

All said as a country we need to be concerned with our state of affairs.

Let's try voting for anyone but a republican or democrat. This may bring a real "CHANGE".

By the way when did we become a country of kings and queens? Take a look at who keeps taking charge....Bush's, Clinton's, even when voted out the next adminstration re-appoints them.

frugal | 4:12 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I wonder what this ended up costing?

Patriotism, Please | 4:58 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Call me naive if you would like, but I'm sorry to see the negative nature of these posts. I found it extremely inspiring--even spine tingling--to see pictures of the president-elect, current president, and three former presidents together in the Oval Office. Although this country is plagued with many problems, these pictures alone speak volumes as to what is right with this great country. I doubt any of us can fathom the pressures associated with the office of President of the United States. For one thing, they live with decisions that affect the lives of millions of people for generations to come. That is an extremely onerous responsibility. Then they live with the constant barrage of carping critics--armchair quarterbacks, if you will--who presume to have all of the answers from the comfort and anonymity of their office and home.

the beauty of it | 8:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The beauty of it: 5 presidents (ok, ok) in one room and no fights, gun battles, prisons, etc. etc. etc.

Message to the world: can you act this civilized?

This is where America's strength lies: civility. Peaceful passage of leadership, governance, changes of views. PEACEFUL.

A baby can sleep through our changes in government: not many countries can make that statement.

Soul | 9:35 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

It was nice to see all of the presidents together, past, present, and future.

Now forget who you are and start working for the betterment of our country. We need all the help we can muster.

We need all of the former presidents support for the next President Obama. He will need it.

Good luck.

Mahershalalhashbaz | 12:07 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Everyone keeps asking who's to blame on the greatest crisis in US history. You're looking at THEM!!

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12 photos

J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

President George W. Bush hosts President-elect Barack Obama, and former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, Wednesday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Gallery (12 photos)