US president-elect Barack Obama visited the White House today for his first post-election meeting with President George W. Bush, a strikingly symbolic moment in the transition of power.
The outgoing president and first lady Laura Bush greeted the new president-elect and his wife Michelle with smiles and handshakes, even as Mr Obama's advisers reviewed some of Bush's executive orders with an eye to reversing them after he is sworn in on January 20th.
The two men immediately headed to the Oval Office where they were expected to discuss the global financial crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other challenges the Republican president will leave to his Democratic successor.
It was their first face-to-face encounter following Mr Obama's resounding victory over Republican John McCain in last Tuesday's election.
Mr Obama (47), had repeatedly attacked Mr Bush's "failed policies" on the campaign trail and once said he had a lot to answer for after eight years in office. The Illinois senator swept to power campaigning on a theme of change - specifically, change from the unpopular president's approach to economics and foreign affairs.
Mr Obama's aides say after taking office he will likely move quickly to roll back Mr Bush's executive orders that limit stem cell research and expand oil and gas drilling in some areas.
There was no outward sign of tension, however, when the Obamas stepped from their limousine at the south portico.
Mr Bush and Mr Obama strolled down the White House colonnade side-by-side, chatting amiably. They stopped briefly and waved to the cameras but said nothing to reporters before Mr Bush ushered Mr Obama ahead of him into the Oval Office.
Meanwhile, the first lady led Michelle Obama inside the White House residence for a tour of what will soon be her family's new home.
Newly elected presidents traditionally visit the White House between election and inauguration but usually wait longer than Mr Obama did. At Mr Bush's invitation he came calling only six days after the election, underscoring a sense of urgency in the transition process.
It will be the first wartime transfer of power in four decades and comes amid economic turmoil in the United States and increasingly worldwide.
Mr Bush has said he would keep Mr Obama informed on important decisions he makes over the next two months, particularly on issues related to the struggling economy and the war in Iraq.
While Mr Obama has made it clear he is aware Mr Bush is still the president until January 20th, he is working on quickly forming a government and preparing policies so he can "hit the ground running" when he takes office.
Mr Bush has hailed the victory by Mr Obama - the son of a black Kenyan father and white American mother - as a "dream fulfilled" for civil rights.
"It will be a stirring sight to watch President Obama, his wife Michelle, and their beautiful girls step through the doors of the White House," Bush said the morning after the election.
A spokeswoman for Mr Obama said today he will not make any announcements on his cabinet this week.
Financial markets, which are struggling in a global credit crisis, are awaiting news of Mr Obama's appointments for key jobs such as Treasury Secretary.
He said on Friday he planned to unveil key appointments soon but did not give details.
Reuters