Presidential power trip to Mandela funeral

The world is quickly preparing for what may be the largest gathering of heads of state since Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965. Representing the U.S. alone will be Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, comprising one of the most prestigious frequent flyer clubs in the world. Today, Air Force One departed for South Africa, where more than 90 world leaders are planning to attend Nelson Mandela's memorial Tuesday in Johannesburg. Inside Air Force One, the Obamas and George W. and Laura Bush, along with former First Lady Clinton. The former President Bill and daughter Chelsea are flying from an event in Rio and linking up with the rest of the club tomorrow. President George H.W. Bush, who's been in poor health for some time, will not be making the trip. Together, they're set for an almost 20-hour flight, even though there's only one bed on board. Air Force One is a very intimate setting, so that's a place where you can have quieter conversations. Once you get to one of these massive events, it's very hard to have real conversations. These long flights, believe it or not, can forge friendships. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan could not attend the funeral of Egypt's Anwar Sadat, so he enlisted Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter to attend instead. The flight was said to be initially awkward and very long, but one notable friendship emerged, evident at Ford's funeral more than 25 years later, when Jimmy Carter eulogized his longtime friend. For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor. Fast forward to 1992, Bill Clinton and President George H.W. Bush were fighting a bitter presidential contest, but seven years later, when they traveled together to attend the funeral of Jordan's King Hussein in 1999, that ice began to thaw, and now they're partners in philanthropy all over the world. Such a gathering of most or all living presidents is typically reserved only for monumental, usually sad events. The journey itself holds the potential for conflict and resolution on a first-class scale. It's going to make a big, big difference in the atmospherics on Air Force One that President Bush has been so reserved in making any negative comments. He's not second-guessing his successor, and I think that the Obama people really appreciate that. This gang has seen more of each other than usual. In April, the group suited up to attend the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas. Then in August, Clinton, Obama and Carter joined forces to honor the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. No former president likes to be marginalized. They've always been the center of attention, and here we're going to have three formers and a current president. Four centers of attention? That's a lot to juggle. But for all their smiles, a stage shared by leaders can seem rather small at times, so safe travels to our nation's leaders today. May you get along well with your seatmate.