Just 44 men know what its like. Only 44 have felt the weight of the country and the world on their shoulders, know what it's like to send men and women into harms way, and to have every word they speak replayed and analyzed.
The fraternity of American presidents is quite exclusive.
Thursday, three men who know what its like gathered at the White House. President and Mrs. Obama hosted President George W. Bush and Laura Bush to the unveiling of their White House portraits. President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Bush also attended (along with a dozen other members of the Bush clan).
It was fun to watch!
Mr. Obama thanked Mr. Bush for going above and beyond to make his transition into the White House as seamless as possible on everything from economic issues to national security.
He recalled the first phone call he made after Osama bin Laden was killed by an American Navy SEAL team was to President Bush (Beltway Buzz would have loved to have a wiretap on that conversation).
He also thanked Bush 43 for leaving him a great cable sports package. Mrs. Obama told Mrs. Bush that the strength and grace she exhibited while serving as First Lady has been an example for her.
She also thanked the Bush twins: Jenna and Barbara for the advice they offered her daughters Malia and Sasha on surviving and thriving in the White House.
President Bush told the crowd he felt overwhelmed. However, his remarks were exactly what you'd hope for a retired two- term president: light and humorous. Standing in front of President George Washington's portrait, Bush talked about his own.
"I'm pleased," he said, "that it brings an interesting symmetry to the White House collection. It now starts and ends with a George W."
He told President Obama, "I'm pleased, Mr. President, that when you are wandering these halls as you wrestle with tough decisions, you'll now be able to gaze at {my} portrait and ask, 'What would George do?'"
Bush got emotional when he looked towards his father and said he was honored that his portrait would hang near that of the man who gave him "unconditional love."
It was a special day. Not because of the portraits or because three presidents were under one roof. It was because respect, fondness, and appreciation among members of the presidential fraternity were on full display for the public to witness. A fraternal understanding that transcends ideology and party loyalty.
