Welcoming the New

Kenneth Walsh reports on some creative transition steps at the White House:

Since Barack Obama won the White House, Bush has encouraged his staff to ease the president-elect's transition as much as possible. To that end, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten hosted a dozen of his predecessors for breakfast in early December in a session designed to give incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel a clear picture of what his job will entail. Emanuel got plenty of helpful suggestions from insiders ranging from Bolten to Leon Panetta, who served Bill Clinton, and Ken Duberstein, who worked for Ronald Reagan. Participants said Emanuel took copious notes and seemed very appreciative of the suggestions. Press secretary Dana Perino also has been very informative and gracious to incoming spokesman Robert Gibbs.

But the most important moment of outreach is yet to come—the extraordinary luncheon that Bush will host January 7 at the White House for Obama himself. It will include all three living ex-presidents—Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. This exclusive club is expected to give Obama some tips about his new life in the White House, how he can deal with his lack of privacy and, overall, the challenges he can anticipate as the leader of the free world. "These men share experiences that no one else can imagine," Perino told reporters. "It will be fabulous to have them all here together." It apparently will be the first time such a conclave of former presidents has been held under the auspices of an outgoing administration to demonstrate solidarity with a new commander in chief.