"The presidents' club is small, " said Mary Matalin, a longtime adviser to the Bush family.

NPR: The Bush And Clinton Families, On Stage In Texas

"Members of the presidents' club could have taken a lesson from him in diplomacy, " he said.

BBC: Bush remembers Van Cliburn at memorial

"Members of the presidents' club could have taken a lesson from him in diplomacy, " said Bush, who presented Cliburn with the Presidential Medal of Freedom the nation's highest civilian honor in 2003.

NPR: Van Cliburn Remembered As Gifted Pianist

The (other club) presidents are open-minded when we talk.

CNN: SHARE THIS

Instead, the African Union is coming increasingly to resemble its discredited and unlamented predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, a mutual-protection club for dodgy presidents.

ECONOMIST: Zimbabwe

Ties have loosened over time, but the presidents of Mitsubishi's 28 kinyokai (Friday club) members still meet monthly.

FORBES: A setting sun?

Ties have loosened over time, but the presidents of Mitsubishi's 28 kinyo-kai (Friday club) members still meet monthly.

FORBES: Setting sun

President Barack Obama, who broke the 20-year string of either a Bush or Clinton in the Oval Office, thanked his predecessors, noting that the "world's most exclusive club" acted more like "a support group" of former presidents who help each other.

NPR: The Bush And Clinton Families, On Stage In Texas