2017.01.20 09:43
Writing a letter to the next commander in chief has been a tradition for outgoing presidents.
As Barack Obama prepares to hand the baton to Donald Trump, ABC News has obtained an exclusive look at the missive he received from his predecessor, as well as the note from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush in 2001.
The letters came from the National Archives and Records Administration.
.
National Archives and Records Administration
Jan 20, 2009
Dear Barack,
Congratulations on becoming our President. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life.
Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face.
There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your “friends” will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead.
God bless you.
Sincerely,
GW
.
National Archives and Records Administration
The letter from Clinton to Bush also extols the thrills of the presidency.
January 20, 2001
Dear George,
Today you embark on the greatest venture, with the greatest honor, that can come to an American citizen.
Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our country in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew.
You lead a proud, decent, good people. And from this day you are President of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness.
The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible.
My prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed.
Sincerely,
Bill
2017.01.20 09:52
2017.01.20 10:46
I hope Korean politicians learned something from the inauguration of the president of USA Today. I know that they did not learn anything during the Nixon resignation. I really hope that they handle the current Korean situation in such a way not helping the North Korean Kim. Shin
2017.01.21 04:34
Dr. Shin,
I share your concern as one of Koreans.
In spite of what appears to be the majority leaning toward left,
which, I believe, has to do with the sequelae of capitalism,
most Koreans, I trust and hope, are intelligent enough, educated enough,
informed enough, common sensical enough, not to make no such mistake,
i.e. being controlled and dictated by the North.
2017.01.21 06:16
한중형:
전에도 말씀드렸듯이, 또 한중형이 말씀했듯이, 저는 한국의 젊은이들을 믿었어요. 그런데, 이번 박근혜대통령 탄핵을 본 후는 한국의 젊은이들을 믿을수 없게 되었네요. 제 조카 한녀석은 정부가 주는 최고의 상을 받았 고, 다른 조카는 blacklist에 이름을 올렸는데 두 녀석 다 현정권에 호의적 이지 못하네요. 이-멜을 통해 달래며 진정한 민주주의는 법을 따르는 것이라고 하니 조금 수그려 지지만, 한국의 정서가 워낙 사나워 (혹시 이북의 사주로 그렇게 된 것인지?) 서뿔리 다른 사람들에게 말을 못 하는 것이 지금의 실정인가 봐요. 헌재의 재판관들이 소신있게 결정을 하면 좋으련만.
어떻게 될런지? 3월달 제가 LA에 갈때 즈음엔 좋은 결정이 나겠지요. 희망을 가져봅 니다. 백효
I felt this is the beautiful tradition of American democracy.
Someday I hope Korean politicians nurture big enough hearts that have the capacity
to copy this tradition.