Bush Leaves Customary Oval Office Note for Obama

Continuing a tradition begun by Reagan, Bush pens encouragement to his successor

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 20, 2009 8:28 AM CST

(AP) – Continuing a White House ritual begun by Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush left a note in the Oval Office for President-elect Barack Obama, wishing him well as he takes the reins of the executive branch. The White House declined to provide specific details of the message, saying only that Bush wrote it yesterday and left it in the top drawer of his desk.

"The theme is similar to what he's said since Election Night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start, and that he wishes him the very best," White House press secretary Dana Perino said today. After the swearing-in ceremony for Obama at the Capitol, Bush will take a helicopter to Andrews Air Force Base, where he'll make private remarks before flying to Texas.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama leave the Blair House before going to a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush during a meeting with former presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush, not shown, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President George W. Bush sits at his desk in the Oval Office in this file photo. Bush left the traditional note for his successor, Barack Obama, in a desk drawer. (Getty Images)

President George W. Bush walks on the colonnade with President-elect Barack Obama at the White House November 10, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

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Bush Leaves Customary Oval Office Note for Obama