Bush outlines 'smooth' transition
Updated on 06 November 2008
President Bush outlines the "unprecedented effort" to allow Barack Obama to "hit the ground running".
In a speech on the South Lawn of the White House following a meeting with his cabinet, President Bush offered his congratulations to Barack Obama, saying this week's election "gives us all reason to be proud of our democracy and our country".
He said: "This peaceful transfer of power is one of the hallmarks of a true democracy, and ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible is a priority for the rest of my presidency."
The president called this America's first "war-time presidential transition in four decades" and said the economic challenges "will not pause to let a new president settle in".
He said that departments and agencies had been preparing for more than a year so the new president could "hit the ground running", adding that intelligence briefings had been provided for the president-elect, and security clearance given for members of Obama's team.
Mr Bush added he looked forward to discussing the economic crisis and the war in Iraq with president-elect Obama early next week.
He called it an "unprecedented effort" to make sure the executive was prepared to fulfil its responsibilities.
President Bush thanked the White House staff, saying "We all share a steadfast devotion to the United States" and adding that service to the US population was "a noble calling and the privilege of a lifetime".
