White House: Obama-Clinton lunch is about 'friendship'

• President Obama lunched with former secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
• Aides said the meal was more about friendship that politics or foreign policy
• Spokesman declined to provide details%2C other than what was on the menu

WASHINGTON -- The most interesting lunch in the political world took place Monday at the White House, though officials said the chat between President Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton was more personal than professional.

The president and his former secretary of state "have developed not just a strong working relationship, but also a genuine friendship," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

"So," he added, "it's largely friendship that's on the agenda for the lunch today."

Clinton meets with another member of the executive branch on Tuesday -- a breakfast with Vice President Biden, a potential opponent in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries.

Obama invited his former rival-turned-top-aide to a private lunch that took place on an outside patio near the Oval Office.

Rather than a "working lunch," Earnest described the bread breaking as more of an opportunity for president and his former secretary of State "to catch up."

Given their respective backgrounds, however, it wouldn't be too surprising if Obama and Clinton also talked about the Middle East or other foreign policy issues during lunch, Earnest said.

And the 2016 presidential election? Who knows?

Earnest declined to provide details, save for the lunch itself: grilled chicken, pasta jambalaya and salad.

Specific details of the table talk will have to await the history books to be written on Obama's second term, or perhaps the tomes on the 2016 election.

Obama and Clinton fought a tense and historic Democratic primary battle in 2008. After his election as president, Obama persuaded Clinton to join his team as secretary of State.

Clinton retired from that post earlier this year, and many analysts believe she will again the seek the presidency in 2016.

Not on Monday's guest list: Biden, who may launch his own presidential candidacy in three years. Earnest did point out that "the vice president has lunch with the president on a weekly basis."

Biden also gets a chance to talk with Clinton at Tuesday's breakfast.

Earnest said "it's far too early to tell" if Obama will make any kind of an endorsement in the 2016 race.

Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill declined to discuss the lunch, referring all comments to the White House.

John Kerry, who replaced Clinton as secretary of State, was also spotted at the White House, but did not attend the lunch; Earnest said it was his understanding that the table was "set for two."