McCain Back In The Senate

The Mac is back.

After nearly two grueling years on the presidential campaign trail, Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz.) is quietly returning to his old job in the Senate today during a week-long lame duck session.  

McCain planned to attend a couple of meetings on the Hill with colleagues and staffers, his aides said. The senator is also expected to participate in his caucus' weekly luncheon this afternoon.

McCain--who missed most of the chamber's votes this year while stumping on the trail, last resurfaced in the chamber during a vote on the financial bailout package in September.

"The senator is eager to be back," said Brooke Buchanan, McCain's press secretary.  

McCain returns to the upper chamber after a 45-minute long meeting with president-elect Barack Obama in Chicago on Monday. In the meeting, the two formal rivals discussed immigration, climate change and other issues, aides say.

Asked whether he would help the Obama Administration, McCain--known as a so-called "maverick" responded, "Obviously."

Since losing the election two weeks ago, McCain has all but slipped away from the public eye, spending time at his Arizona ranch. Last week, he made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.