Obama, Bush discuss world of challenges in White House visit

Obama -- who routed the incumbent’s fellow Republican and chosen successor John McCain in the Nov. 4 election -- met privately with Bush for about an hour in the chamber from which the U.S. president makes world-shaping decisions.

Obama and wife, Michelle, arrived about 10 minutes early for their two-hour visit and were warmly welcomed by the president and First Lady Laura Bush at the South Portico, a gateway to the mansion for many world leaders.

The two men met privately in the Oval Office for over an hour in talks thought to have encompassed the global financial crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other daunting challenges the Republican president will bequeath to his Democratic successor.

It was their first face-to-face encounter following Obama's resounding victory over Republican John McCain in Tuesday's election, which will make him the United States' first black president.

Obama, 47, had repeatedly attacked Bush's "failed policies" on the campaign trail, and the Illinois senator swept to power on a theme of change -- specifically, change from the unpopular president's approach to economics and foreign affairs.

Top congressional Democrats have asked the Bush administration to consider aid to the automakers through the financial bailout initiative that has so far covered banks and other financial services companies, and Obama urged Bush to act quickly at their meeting, according to The New York Times.

Citing people familiar with their discussion, the Times said Bush indicated he might support some aid for the auto industry and a broader economic stimulus package if Obama dropped his opposition to a free-trade pact with Colombia.

Obama’s spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president-elect, who has a keen sense of history, was impressed with his first-ever visit to the Oval Office.

"What he said to me is it’s a really nice office," said Gibbs, who said the two men met alone without note takers then joined their wives to tour the residential quarters.

Obama "found the president to be extremely gracious with his time and with his invitation," Gibbs was quoted by AFP as saying.

Gibbs also confirmed that Obama would not meet with foreign leaders arriving for the Saturday summit on the global financial crisis, though there was a "possibility" that people affiliated with the Obama team might.

Bush described the talks as "good, constructive, relaxed and friendly," said spokeswoman Dana Perino.

"They spoke about both domestic and international issues, though since it was a private meeting the White House will decline to comment on specifics."

Bush also showed Obama the living quarters at the White House, including the office the president uses, the famed Lincoln Bedroom, and the rooms for Obama’s two young daughters, said Perino.

"The president enjoyed his visit with the president-elect, and he again pledged a smooth transition to the next administration," said the spokeswoman.

Laura Bush showed Michelle Obama around the residential section and talked about raising children in the White House, with the First Lady sharing her experience with twin daughters Jenna and Barbara, said Cutter.

Obama’s young girls, Sasha, 7 and Malia, 10, will be the youngest children living in the presidential mansion in a generation.

Though visits by incoming presidents to the White House before taking office are a ritual dating back decades, there was little denying Obama's tour carried special significance.

The son of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas, Obama made history by winning the presidency, an achievement seen as a breakthrough in U.S. race relations.