Patty Davis: Bush and Gore meet, put differences aside

Patty Davis

CNN Correspondent Patty Davis was outside Vice President Al Gore's residence in Washington on Tuesday, covering the meeting between President-elect George W. Bush and the vice president.

Q: How are aides describing the meeting?

DAVIS: An aide to Vice President Al Gore said the meeting was cordial and that the vice president appreciated having the opportunity to speak with President-elect George W. Bush. The aide said Gore wanted to communicate that it's important for the two men to put aside their differences after this long, difficult campaign.

So, in this face-to-face meeting, Gore threw his full support behind the president-elect.

Bush aides said it was a private meeting and that Vice President Gore offered his help to Bush if he ever needs it.

Q: How long was the meeting, and where did it take place?

DAVIS: The meeting only lasted 15 to 20 minutes, raising eyebrows among some. But, both Gore aides and Bush aides say, don't read anything into that -- they expected the meeting to last about that long.

The vice president and Bush met in the living room of the official vice presidential residence in front of a fireplace. Separately, Charles Burson, who is Vice President Gore's chief of staff, met with Andrew Card, who is to be Bush's chief of staff in the new administration.

Vice President Al Gore had spent the last several days in the U.S. Virgin Islands -- St. Thomas to be exact -- with his wife Tipper for a little vacation after he conceded last week. His plane arrived at Andrews Air Force Base about 50 minutes before his meeting with Bush, and Gore raced back in time for the meeting.

Gore greeted Bush as he arrived at the vice presidential residence. Gore shook the president-elect's hand and patted him on the back and then invited him inside.

The vice president was asked if he had any advice for Mr. Bush, and he said, "We're going to have a private conversation."

Asked if he had a message for the country, Gore said, "I gave that Wednesday night," referring to his concession speech.

Q: Was this meeting to discuss transition issues or was it more of a symbolic gesture to the nation after such a long, arduous election process?

DAVIS: This meeting was clearly intended to send a message to the American people: a symbol that the rancor is gone and that Mr. Gore stands fully behind the president-elect and that a 'spirit of unity,' as one Gore aide called it, now rules.

The election, especially in recent weeks, had been extremely bitter, and both men wanted to put that behind them.

Q: Bush also met with Clinton on Tuesday. How did that meeting go?

DAVIS: That meeting was very cordial. It lasted for more than two hours inside the White House.

The topic of that meeting was transition. There was a lot of business that took place. They talked a lot about international policy and other issues as Bush prepares to assume the mantle of president in a month.

Mr. Clinton appeared very relaxed; Mr. Bush a little less so. But the meeting by all accounts was very cordial.

It was also a customary meeting; the sitting president normally does meet with the incoming president.

Q: Everyone seems happy in Washington right now: There's talk of unity and the need to be bipartisan. How long is that atmosphere expected to last?

DAVIS: Most incoming presidents have a honeymoon ... But on January 20, Bush will immediately face a Congress that is very deeply divided. It's a 50-50 split in the Senate, and the Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House.

It is not going to be easy for Bush to get his agenda through this Congress.