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A rare gathering at White House

WASHINGTON: An entire generation has gone by since the public last saw this tableau of American history: every living U.S. President together at the White House. Consider it time for a reunion among the members of one of the world’s most elite clubs, plus the one man about to join it — Barack Obama.

Picking up on an idea from Mr. Obama, President George W. Bush on Wednesday hosted lunch for the incoming President and the three living former Presidents: Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

It is the first time all the living Presidents have gathered at the White House since 1981.

Considering the bond they hold in history, U.S. Presidents get together infrequently, particularly at the White House. And when they are in the same room, it is usually for a milestone or sombre moment — a funeral of a world leader, an opening of a presidential library or a commemoration of history.

Not this time.

The White House says Mr. Obama suggested the idea of a presidential gathering when he met Mr. Bush in the Oval Office in November. And Mr. Bush went for it.

“It’s going to be an interesting lunch,” Mr. Bush told an interviewer recently. Asked what the five men would talk about, he said: “I don’t know. I’m sure [Obama’s] going to ask us all questions, I would guess. If not, we’ll just share war stories.”

They have plenty of those, political and otherwise. Their paths to power have long been entwined.

Mr. Carter lost the presidency to Ronald Reagan, whose running mate was George H.W. Bush. Mr. Bush won the election but lost after one term to Mr. Clinton. Then Mr. Bush’s son, the current President, defeated Mr. Clinton’s Vice-President, Al Gore. And this year Mr. Obama won after long linking his opponent, John McCain, to Mr. Bush.

Meanwhile, the woman who made U.S. history two years ago by becoming the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives has been re-elected to that post.

House colleagues on Tuesday chose Nancy Pelosi to continue as Speaker. Her fellow Democrats, with an expanded majority, elected her over Republican John Boehner on the first day of the 111th Congress.

Ms. Pelosi received 255 votes, to Boehner’s 174. The announcement was greeted with standing ovation by fellow lawmakers. — AP

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