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Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, in a video released Wednesday by the inaugural committee, wished President Biden good luck while congratulating the United States on completing a successful new transfer of power and calling for it national unity.
The trio were the only three former presidents who were at Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. Former President Jimmy Carter, 96, did not attend the coronavirus pandemic. Biden, however, said in his speech that he spoke with Carter on Tuesday night.
Former President Donald Trump also did not attend the inauguration. Instead, he flew to Florida, landing about an hour before Biden officially assumed the presidency.
Obama said he was proud to see his former vice president sworn in as commander-in-chief and to see the first woman sworn in as vice president on Wednesday. But he said the custom of the inauguration had a “wider” meaning than that.
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“I think the inaugurations signal a tradition of peaceful transfer of power that goes back more than two centuries,” he said.
Bush added, “I think the fact that the three of us are here talking about a peaceful transfer of power is a testament to the institutional integrity of our country.”
The three presidents, known for their cordiality, then asked the Americans to put aside their partisan divisions if not in their politics, at least in the way they treat each other.
President Joe Biden chats with former President George Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush and former President Bill Clinton and former sec. of State Hillary Clinton, following the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky, Po
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“We need to not only listen to the people we agree with, but also listen to those we don’t,” Obama said. “And one of my fondest memories of the inauguration was the grace and generosity President Bush showed me and Laura Bush showed Michelle and it reminded me that we can have fierce disagreements while recognizing each other’s common humanity and that as Americans we have more in common than what separates us. “
“I think if Americans loved their neighbor as they love to be loved themselves, much of the division in our society would end,” Bush said.
“That’s what it means. It’s a new beginning,” Clinton added. “Everyone should get off their horse and reach out to their friends and neighbors and try to make this possible.”
The call from the Speakers was similar to that of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Who on Wednesday in the Senate said that “the prayers of our whole nation” are with Biden and the Vice President Kamala Harris.
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“Our country deserves both sides, both sides, to find common ground for the common good wherever we can and respectfully disagree where we need to,” McConnell said.
The three former presidents have told Harris and Biden in the video that they are supportive of them, and Obama has offered to help his former vice president whenever possible.
“Joe, I’m proud of you. And you and Kamala should know that you’ve all rooted us here for your success, keeping you in our prayers,” Obama said. “And we will be available in any way we can as citizens to help you move our country forward. We wish you good luck.”
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