President-elect Barack Obama pulled together the four living U.S. presidents Wednesday to pose for a photograph that is sure to be classic. “I just want to thank the president for hosting us,” the president-elect said. “All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office,” Obama said. “For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary.” But while President George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H. Bush and Jimmy Carter came together in the Oval Office for the historic picture, it is unlikely that any of the former commanders in chief could possibly prepare Obama for the daunting task that lies ahead. That’s because Obama is facing a bigger challenge than any incoming president in recent memory: The nation is mired in recession; is still engaged in two wars; and is battling record unemployment. In addition, he takes over following eight years of divisive inter-party politics and the ever-present reality of lingering racial strife.  The good news, though, is that his predecessors seemed more than willing to stand by his side through the tough times. “One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we’re Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country,” George W. Bush said. “All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual. We wish you all the very best, and so does the country.”