Leaders of 19 foreign powers set to converge on Washington this weekend for an emergency economic summit hosted by President Bush are said to be anxious to meet President-elect Barack Obama.

Mr. Obama has been invited to the summit, but has declined. Instead, he is arranging for surrogates to meet informally with some foreign leaders.

Robert Gibbs, a senior adviser to Mr. Obama, observed, "While some say it's awkward that he's not there, it would be far more problematic to be there. We firmly believe there is only one president at a time."

Mr. Obama is not president yet and is not authorized to make decisions for the federal government. His Cabinet is not in place. Misunderstandings could, and probably would, occur.

More importantly, George W. Bush is the nation's leader until Jan. 20. As John D. Podesta, co-chairman of Mr. Obama's transition team said, "It's not appropriate for two people to show up for this meeting."

The president-elect has made the right call on this matter.