President-elect Obama meets with US presidents

(7 Jan 2009) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of Oval Office with US President George W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama and former US presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter
2. SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, US President:
"I want to thank the President-elect for joining the ex-presidents for lunch. One message that I have, and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country, and to the extent that we can, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you. All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual and we wish you all the very best and so does the country. Thank you all."
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Barack Obama, US President-elect:
"I just want to thank the President, I just want to thank the President for hosting us. This is an extraordinary gathering. All the gentlemen here understand the pressures and possibilities of this office and for me to have the opportunity to get advice, good council, and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary and I'm very grateful to all of them, but again, thank you Mr. President for hosting us."
4. Wide and pan of Carter, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and George H.W. Bush
STORYLINE
President-elect Barack Obama said a meeting at the White House on Wednesday with four US presidents was an "extraordinary gathering."
Obama stood in the Oval Office 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 understood the pressures of the job and he looked 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 wanted him to succeed.
Obama and Bush held a private meeting before they were joined by the three former presidents.

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