Leonor Baskett

Leonor Baskett

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama kissed Laura Bush lightly on the cheek. President-elect Barack Obama gave President Bush an athletic pat on the shoulder. With those simple gestures, carried out Monday afternoon on the South Portico of the White House, a time-honored ritual of American democracy — the peaceful transfer of power — officially began.

For the nation, it was an obvious first as an African-American came to tour the White House as president-elect. But for Mr. Obama, the visit marked a series of personal firsts:

His first trip back to the nation’s capital since his victory over Senator John McCain last week. His first limousine ride in Washington; on the campaign trail, Mr. Obama typically rode in a sport utility vehicle. His first time inside the Oval Office; although Mr. Obama had been to the White House before, he had never set foot inside the storied office that symbolizes American power around the world.

The visit was choreographed to provide images of a smooth transition and a warm and friendly welcome for the new first family, and the two couples obliged. But there was as much substance as style; the session came in the thick of a financial crisis that has Washington swirling with talk of a second stimulus package, an expanded bailout for the insurance giant A.I.G. and help for struggling automakers.

For an hour and five minutes, Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama sat in the Oval Office with no aides or note-takers, and discussed the economic crisis and the security challenges facing the nation. Mr. Obama pressed Mr. Bush to offer aid to automakers; Mr. Bush raised the free trade pact with Colombia, stalled in the Democratic-led Congress, people familiar with the session said.

Both sides were circumspect and declined to disclose details of their talk, preferring to let the images speak for themselves.

“Good, constructive, relaxed and friendly,” said the White House press secretary, Dana Perino, summarizing Mr. Bush’s impressions.

“It was bit of a momentous day,” Mr. Obama’s press secretary, Robert Gibbs, told reporters on the flight back to Chicago, adding that Mr. Obama found the president to be “gracious.”

“I don’t know that I would characterize him as awestruck,” Mr. Gibbs said of Mr. Obama. “What he said to me is, ‘It’s a really nice office.’ ”

The Obamas began their day in Chicago, traveling separately to Washington so Mrs. Obama could stay on and look at schools for the couple’s daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. (After the White House visit, Mrs. Obama was spotted at the Georgetown Day School, one of Washington’s fanciest private schools.)

The couple was due at the White House at 2 p.m., but arrived 10 minutes early, no doubt pleasing the always punctual Mr. Bush. The men were sartorially in sync in dark blue suits, white shirts and sky blue ties; after the couples posed for photographs at the South Portico, the two leaders could be seen strolling along the Colonnade, past the White House Rose Garden, pausing for a few moments before they walked through the glass doors of the Oval Office for the first of two private meetings.

Mr. Bush relishes telling visitors about the office, and aides said the president gave Mr. Obama his standard tour, talking about the historic pieces — including the desk used by President John F. Kennedy, made famous when young John F. Kennedy Jr. was photographed peering out from under it — as well as the Texas-inspired artwork. The men joined their wives for a brief tour of the residence before returning to the Oval Office.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Obama, who had not met before, took a more extensive tour. For Mrs. Obama, the visit was a chance to begin working on the logistics of moving her family — including her mother, who helps look after the children. To that end, she met with one of the most important people at the White House, Adm. Stephen W. Rochon, the chief usher, who runs the mansion and oversees everything from state dinners to redecorating.

Mrs. Bush showed Mrs. Obama all 33 rooms on the second and third floors, White House officials said, including the bedrooms where Malia and Sasha would most likely live, the same rooms used by the Kennedy children and Amy Carter, and by the Bush twins during weekend visits when their grandfather, the first President George Bush, occupied the White House.

The affair carried the feeling of a political changing of the guard, with aides to Mr. Bush standing on the South Lawn introducing themselves to their counterparts in an Obama administration.

Ms. Perino, the press secretary, took Mr. Gibbs, a longtime aide to Mr. Obama, into her office to discuss his coming role at her job. Reggie Love, the body man for Mr. Obama, received a tour of his own from Mr. Bush’s assistant, and several other young aides were shown around the West Wing.

A sense of anticipation extended beyond 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As the Obamas’ limousine made its way to the White House, hundreds of people lined the streets, craning their necks to see. When the door opened and the couple stepped out to greet the Bushes, there was an unfamiliar sound: cheering outside the White House gates.

Leonor Baskett

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

For Obamas, a Tour of the White House and the Issues Ahead

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