This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7714007.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bush set to meet Obama next week | Bush set to meet Obama next week |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US President George W Bush has said he and Barack Obama will discuss issues such as the global financial crisis and the war in Iraq "early next week". | US President George W Bush has said he and Barack Obama will discuss issues such as the global financial crisis and the war in Iraq "early next week". |
| In a speech at the White House, Mr Bush congratulated the president-elect and said he would make every effort to ensure a smooth handover on 20 January. | In a speech at the White House, Mr Bush congratulated the president-elect and said he would make every effort to ensure a smooth handover on 20 January. |
| Mr Obama was elected the first black US president on Tuesday with a resounding win over Republican rival John McCain. | Mr Obama was elected the first black US president on Tuesday with a resounding win over Republican rival John McCain. |
| Earlier, he began talks in Chicago about forming his new administration. | Earlier, he began talks in Chicago about forming his new administration. |
| Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who was once an adviser to President Bill Clinton, has been offered the post of chief-of-staff. | Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who was once an adviser to President Bill Clinton, has been offered the post of chief-of-staff. |
| This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades US President George W Bush | This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades US President George W Bush |
| Mr Obama is next expected to appoint a treasury secretary to tackle the country's economic crisis. Likely contenders reportedly include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve. | Mr Obama is next expected to appoint a treasury secretary to tackle the country's economic crisis. Likely contenders reportedly include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve. |
| Correspondent say there is also speculation about whether Mr Obama will reach out beyond the Democratic Party and include Republicans, including the current defence secretary, Robert Gates. | Correspondent say there is also speculation about whether Mr Obama will reach out beyond the Democratic Party and include Republicans, including the current defence secretary, Robert Gates. |
| 'Peaceful transfer' | 'Peaceful transfer' |
| In a televised address to aides on Thursday, President Bush said that in the coming weeks he would ask government officials "to brief the Obama team on ongoing policy issues, ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq". | In a televised address to aides on Thursday, President Bush said that in the coming weeks he would ask government officials "to brief the Obama team on ongoing policy issues, ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq". |
| WHAT HAPPENS NEXT 9 Dec: Deadline for states to resolve issues such as recounts or challenges15 Dec: Electoral college electors meet in each state to formally cast their votes6 Jan: Joint session of Congress to count electoral college votesBefore 20 Jan: Barack Obama and Joe Biden must resign from the Senate20 Jan: Inauguration day Transition timetable href="/1/hi/business/7713046.stm">Obama's top economic contenders class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7702408.stm">Profile: Rahm EmanuelSenate races latest | |
| "I look forward to discussing those issues with the president-elect early next week," he added. | "I look forward to discussing those issues with the president-elect early next week," he added. |
| Mr Bush said his administration would do everything it could to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition in advance of Mr Obama's inauguration in 75 days' time, so that he and his team "can hit the ground running". | Mr Bush said his administration would do everything it could to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition in advance of Mr Obama's inauguration in 75 days' time, so that he and his team "can hit the ground running". |
| "The 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," he said. | "The 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," he said. |
| Mr Bush said the Department of Justice had already arranged security clearance for key members of Mr Obama's transition team, and that the Illinois senator had already begun to be given classified intelligence and security briefings. | Mr Bush said the Department of Justice had already arranged security clearance for key members of Mr Obama's transition team, and that the Illinois senator had already begun to be given classified intelligence and security briefings. |
| The president said the transfer came at a challenging time. | The president said the transfer came at a challenging time. |
| "We face economic challenges that will not pause to let a new president settle in. This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades," he said. | "We face economic challenges that will not pause to let a new president settle in. This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades," he said. |
| "We're in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people." | "We're in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people." |