Bush Leaves Customary Oval Office Note for Obama

Continuing a tradition begun by Reagan, Bush pens encouragement to his successor
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 20, 2009 8:28 AM CST
Bush Leaves Customary Oval Office Note for Obama
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)

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.
(More George W. Bush stories.)

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