The Obama White House is starting to think about turning over the keys to President Obama’s successor.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Tuesday that the administration is committed to a smooth transition with the new president, whether that person is a Democrat or Republican. He said the Obama team intends to be as gracious and helpful as the George W. Bush White House was when Mr. Obama took over in 2009.
“We recognize that the previous administration made that a priority,” Mr. Earnest said. “We certainly intend to fulfill that precedent.”
Congress has approved legislation requiring the president to establish a pair of transition councils six months before the November election election to help the government ease through the departure of political appointees before Mr. Obama’s term ends.
The transition from Democrat Bill Clinton to Mr. Bush in early 2001 was anything but smooth. The General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, said theft and vandalism at the White House complex cost more than $15,000, including $4,850 to replace computer keyboards, many with damaged or missing “W” keys.
The GAO said some of the damage was clearly intentional, with glue smeared on desk drawers and disparaging graffiti about Mr. Bush.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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