Thread: Old rivals Obama, McCain discuss working together

Old rivals Obama, McCain discuss working together

By John McCormick | Tribune reporter
November 17, 2008

A fierce campaign less than two weeks behind them, President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain met Monday in Chicago to talk about ways to work together on government reform, fiscal responsibility and boosting the economy.

It was one of the earliest post-election meetings to take place between presidential rivals in recent history and reflected a desire on the part of both men to show bipartisanship as the nation confronts the challenges ahead.

By meeting with McCain so quickly after the election, Obama demonstrated both magnanimity and practicality.

Despite gains by Democrats in Congress, the future president will still need Republican support for many of his initiatives and McCain can be more helpful as a friend than a foe.

Obama's transition staff released a joint statement, describing the meeting as a "productive conversation" that opened the possibility for cooperation in the days and months ahead.

"At this defining moment in history, we believe that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington," the statement said.

Obama has said he expects to pick at least one Republican to serve on his Cabinet, but it is unlikely to be McCain, who can return to the Senate as a leader of his party.

The two men met for about 90 minutes on the 38th floor of the Kluczynski Federal Building in the Loop, where Obama has his transition office. They were joined by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close McCain friend, and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Democrat who will be Obama's chief of staff.

Reached after the meeting, Graham described the session as productive, but declined to comment on whether any firm commitments were made.

"Where possible, the American people want us to work in a bipartisan fashion to address their problems," Graham said in a statement released later. "Today's meeting was a positive step forward."

A senior Obama aide briefed by Emanuel described the session as "very cooperative and cordial," with all four men remaining in the room for the whole meeting.

"The general sense was that these guys could get some work done together," the aide said.

Obama and McCain displayed good chemistry, aides said, as they joked about the poor weekend showing of the Chicago Bears and the joys of being able to sleep in their own beds following the rigors of the campaign trail.

Before the meeting started, Obama told reporters during a brief photo shoot that he wanted to use the conversation to map out the future, as well as thank McCain.

"We're going to have a good conversation about how we can do some work together to fix up the country," he said. "And also to offer thanks to Sen. McCain for the outstanding service he's already rendered."

Asked whether he was hoping to help an Obama administration, a smiling McCain responded, "Obviously."

Reporters and photographers were allowed in the room for about 90 seconds. As they continued to shout questions as they were asked to leave, the president-elect said, "You're incorrigible."

A McCain role in the new administration seems unlikely, given a remark Obama made in August, when he was asked whether the Arizona Republican might play a part in a then-hypothetical Obama administration.

"Sen. McCain, I would have him serve in the role of loyal opposition -- in the minority," Obama said then.

During the campaign, Obama and McCain clashed on the Iraq War, taxes, health care and even proposed federal funding for a new projector for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

McCain's campaign also compared Obama to celebrities Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, while repeatedly raising questions about his relationship with 1960s radical William Ayers.

Obama's campaign staff, now a barebones operation in Chicago, also announced a new online effort to try to harness its fundraising success to solicit donations and volunteers for Southern California wildfire relief efforts.

Old rivals Obama, McCain discuss working together -- chicagotribune.com

it's about time someone had more sense than ego.