Bush sets up transition team to help next president

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Thursday established a transition team to help the new president elected in November and his administration as they prepare to enter the White House.

The order is aimed at ensuring "a seamless presidential transition," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"This is especially important as our nation is fighting a war, dealing with a financial crisis and working to protect ourselves from future terrorist attacks," she said.

Bush's executive order set up the "Presidential Transition Coordinating Council" which will be headed by White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and include White House officials who deal with national security, counterterrorism and economic policy.

"The president has directed us to be forward-leaning in all of our efforts to ensure as smooth and effective a transition as possible," Perino said.

The executive order states that the transition team will help the two major party candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, and then the winner of the November 4 election.

"It shall be the policy of the council to provide appropriate information and assistance to the major party candidates on an equal basis and without regard for party affiliation," the order said.

President Bill Clinton established a similar transition team before the Bush administration took office. The next president will be inaugurated on January 20, 2009.

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by David Wiessler)