At a private lunch with Barack Obama on Thursday, former president Bill Clinton made a prediction about the outcome of the closely fought race for the White House.

"I predict that Sen. Obama will win and will pretty handily," he said as he stood with Obama in his Harlem office.

In response, Obama, who is scheduled to visit Ground Zero Thursday, Obama said this:

"There you go. You can take it from the president of the United States. He knows a little something about politics."


The lunch meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes, came at Clinton's request and is the first time the two have had a one-on-one during the campaign. Clinton said he expects to hit the trail near the end of the month.

"President Clinton and Senator Obama had a great conversation in Harlem today," a joint statement released by the former president and Democratic presidential nominee said. "They discussed the campaign briefly, but mostly talked about how the world has changed since September 11, 2001."

"Sen. Obama praised the work of the Clinton Foundation around the world and President Clinton applauded Sen. Obama's historic campaign which has inspired millions around the country," the statement said.

"They also spoke about what the next president can do to help make the economy work for all Americans, as it did under President Clinton, and ensure safety and prosperity far beyond the coming the election. "