US President-elect Barack Obama has taken part in a high-powered lunch at the White House. President George W Bush hosted the event to give his successor the chance to meet former Presidents George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. It was the first such meeting since 1981. US presidents usually only gather at sombre events such as funerals or historic ceremonies. The lunch took place with Mr Obama's inauguration less than two weeks away. President Bush and Mr Obama met privately for about half an hour in the Oval Office ahead of the lunch. Democrat Jimmy Carter (1977-81), Mr Bush's father Republican George HW Bush (1989-93) and Democrat Bill Clinton (1993-2001) then joined them for a group photograph in the Oval Office.
US President-elect Barack Obama has taken part in a high-powered lunch at the White House.
President George W Bush hosted the event to give his successor the chance to meet former Presidents George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
It was the first such meeting since 1981. US presidents usually only gather at sombre events such as funerals or historic ceremonies.
The lunch took place with Mr Obama's inauguration less than two weeks away.
President Bush and Mr Obama met privately for about half an hour in the Oval Office ahead of the lunch.
Democrat Jimmy Carter (1977-81), Mr Bush's father Republican George HW Bush (1989-93) and Democrat Bill Clinton (1993-2001) then joined them for a group photograph in the Oval Office.
a high-powered lunch
Let's hope it was sustainable.
