Loose Lips

The details of yesterday's meeting between President Bush and President-Elect Obama are being leaked to the media. Apparently the incoming group is unaware that these meetings are traditionally off the record.

The interim between an election and an inauguration of a new president is a tricky time, exacerbated by the animosity that exists between the two parties. This makes it dangerous for the country, as a spiteful outgoing president and administration might not feel especially like being helpful as the jubilant newcomers move in. We had already heard how brutal the Obama campaign staff was to the Clinton wing of the party after he won the nomination.

By all accounts, President Bush has been very welcoming and has directed his staff to help the Obama people in any and every way. At least that's how he started. If he sees these leaks to the press as an attempt to undermine or embarrass him in the remaining days of his administration, might his cooperation turn cold?

When the Clinton team arrived from Arkansas in 1992 to begin the transition, they thought they already knew it all and treated the outgoing administration with contempt. That lead to a lot of blunders in the early days and to a Republican congress two years later. If Obama's people aren't aware of that history, someone should tell them.