EXCLUSIVE: Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama and Biden Reveal Why They Have Hope For

Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are sharing a message of optimism with Americans as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

The four presidents each spoke individually with Jenna Bush Hager in a TODAY exclusive on April 21 in which they expressed their hope for the future and affirmed the principles they believe are a bedrock of American government and civic life.

Jenna spoke with Biden, 83; Obama, 64; Clinton, 79; and her father, 79, at a private event in Philadelphia over the weekend called “History Talks,” which was hosted by The History Channel.

The event traditionally features former presidents and was done in partnership with Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal. President Donald Trump is also working with The History Channel on an America 250 project that they plan to announce later this spring.

During her conversation with Obama, she asked him whether he still feels the hope in the country that was once a driving principle of his historic presidential campaign in 2008.

“The first time I was on the national stage and I talked about hope, I reminded people hope is not blind optimism,” he said. “Hope arises in the face of difficulty, in the face of uncertainty.

“And obviously we’re going through some uncertain times, but when you look at the sweep of American history, we’ve gone through rough patches. And we tend to come out on the other side of them stronger.”

Jenna also asked each of the former presidents what message they have for the American people ahead of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding on July 4.

“Remember what’s best in us,” Obama said. “The basic principle upon which this country was founded, which is we don’t have rulers, we don’t have kings, or monarchs, or aristocracies. We have citizens.

“And if we hold true to that idea that we, the people, had been gifted this chance of self-government, if we pay attention to our responsibilities and our duties, and if we extend respect and thoughtfulness to our fellow citizens — even if we disagree with them — if we understand that part of this democratic project is to sort through our differences in peaceful, legal ways, then I’m confident that we’re going to have another 250-year run that’s going be just as good.”

Clinton and Biden stressed the strengths of democracy they believe will endure.

“The country will survive as much by the process, by the freedom to speak, the freedom to vote, the freedom to be active in politics as by any particular issue,” Clinton said. “And because it’s like it is, compromise is essential.”

“We’re the most unique country in the world,” Biden said. “Most unique country in the world in the sense that we really do think democracy is dictated by the rule of the Constitution. And we do believe and we act, we do well, that all men are created equal.”

Bush highlighted ongoing civic participation by Americans as crucial to preserving democracy.

“My message is consider yourself fortunate to be a part of a great nation,” he said. “Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like. And be a citizen, not a spectator. And by that I mean participate in the process, but also love a neighbor like you’d like to be loved yourself.”

“See, one of the beauties of this country is that there are thousands and thousands of citizens who volunteer on a daily basis to help somebody in need,” he continued. “They’re often not heralded, but they make a huge difference, one person at a time.

“I would hope people will take a look at our history and realize we’re an imperfect nation trying to be more perfect, but be optimistic about the future of the country.”

Each president was also asked what they think can help unite a deeply divided country.

“One of the things about the 250th (anniversary) is a chance to focus on the common good and the wonders of this country, the the history of this country,” Bush said.

“The fact that you can worship freely without government tell you how to worship. The fact that you can speak in the public square without being jailed,” he continued. “The fact that we have a press that’s willing to hold the powerful to account. These are all things that should and generally do unite us.

“I am not concerned about the long-term health of our country because I’ve studied enough history to know that we’ve been through the periods of intense anger and intense rivalry of ideas. But the beauty about democracy is that it’s self-correcting. And one of the key things I want to try to do during the 250th is encourage citizens to participate in the process. And if you don’t like what’s going on, vote. And that’s how America heals itself.”

Biden’s presidential term came at a time of entrenched partisan division in the country.

“I’m not sure we’re as divided as we portray,” Biden said. “I’m sure there’s anywhere from 15% to 30% of the people who are on the one end here. But I think the vast majority of people are coming around to conclude that those things that they don’t even think about it directly, but are the safeguards in the Constitution.”

Jenna reflected to a time of political division in the early 1990s when a simple gesture showed how politicians on opposing sides can still find common ground.

Her grandfather, Republican President George H.W. Bush, wrote a letter to Clinton, a Democrat, wishing him well after Clinton defeated him in the 1992 presidential election. Clinton then did the same for George W. Bush after he was elected in 2000.

She asked Clinton if there is anything the nation can learn from that moment of civility and unity between presidents on opposite sides of the political aisle.

“That America is bigger than anybody’s personal hopes and dreams,” Clinton said.