Preparing for the presidency

Yesterday’s international torrent of good will for Obama turned into more of a trickle today as Iran’s President congratulated Obama. But from Moscow Medvedev wished Obama luck in U.S.-Russian relations. Italian President Berlusconi praised Obama. Germany urged the president-elect to fight climate change and China urged Obama to oppose Taiwanese independence. World leaders were directing their comments towards Obama but he’s of course still the president-elect. Bush spoke about a peaceful transition period today at the White House. Bush stressed the executive branch needs to stay focused on the tasks at hand with the economic crisis and the various wars the U.S. is engaged in. President Bush is scheduled to meet with Obama on Monday.