Obama, McCain Vow To Cooperate

President-Elect Meets With Republican Former Rival At Transition Office In Chicago

(CBS/AP)  The bitter general election campaign behind them, President-elect Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain met Monday to discuss ways to reduce government waste, promote bipartisanship and find other ways to improve government.

The two former rivals met in Obama's transition headquarters in Chicago. Mr. Obama said before the meeting that he and McCain planned "a good conversation about how we can do some work together to fix up the country, and also to offer thanks to Sen. McCain for the outstanding service he's already rendered."

Mr. Obama and McCain sat together for a brief picture-taking moment with reporters, along with Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's incoming White House chief of staff, and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, McCain's close friend. Mr. Obama and McCain were heard briefly discussing football, and Mr. Obama cracked that "the national press is tame compared to the Chicago press."

When asked if he planned to help the Obama administration, McCain replied, "Obviously."

After the meeting, Obama and McCain issued a joint statement saying: "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 so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time."

"It is in this spirit that we had a productive conversation today about the need to launch a new era of reform where we take on government waste and bitter partisanship in Washington in order to restore trust in government, and bring back prosperity and opportunity for every hardworking American family," it said. "We hope to work together in the days and months ahead on critical challenges like solving our financial crisis, creating a new energy economy, and protecting our nation's security."

"As a matter of symbolism, the pictures of these two former rivals is important as Mr. Obama begins plotting the kinds of changes he discussed during the campaign," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "As a practical matter, John McCain is going to remain an important voice in the U.S. Senate on issues such as Iraq and it's never a bad idea to build that relationship."

For McCain and Obama, improving education, ethics reform, torture and the future of the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are all areas of potential cooperation, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.

But will it be McCain, the bipartisan maverick who re-emerges in the senate, or the campaign conservative who might want to join fellow Republicans in frustrating the new president's plans?

"This is a man with a very rich appreciation of history and his place in history," says Jim Vandehei, executive editor at Politico.com. "And I think he'll want to fix any damage that he did in his campaign by ending on a high note in the Senate."

The meeting comes as Mr. Obama, who resigned his Senate seat on Sunday, has been interviewing some of his one-time political opponents to help him run the country.

Several times recently, Mr. Obama has noted Abraham Lincoln's decision to bring his political adversaries into his administration, reports Ververs. This was chronicled in great detail in the Doris Kearns Goodwin book, "Team of Rivals" - specifically three men who Lincoln surprisingly defeated for the Republican nomination in 1860. (Read more from Ververs on this in our Horserace blog.)

In an interview on CBS' 60 Minutes that aired yesterday, Mr. Obama said he had met recently with Sen. Hillary Clinton, who he battled in the Democratic primaries, but he would not reveal if she was up for a cabinet position.

"She is somebody who I needed advice and counsel from," Mr. Obama told 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft. "She is one of the most thoughtful public officials that we have. Beyond that, you're not getting anything out of me Steve."

Click here to read more from the interview.

Mr. Obama also told Kroft he would have Republicans in the cabinet. But advisers to the former candidates have said they don't expect Mr. Obama to consider McCain for an administration job.

Mr. Obama and McCain clashed bitterly during the fall campaign over taxes, the Iraq War, and ways to fix the ailing economy. Things got ugly at times, with McCain running ads comparing Mr. Obama to celebrities Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and raising questions about his rival's distant relationship with a 1960s-era radical, William Ayers.

Mr. Obama's campaign, meanwhile, labeled the 72-year old McCain "erratic" and ran a campaign ad falsely suggesting that McCain and Rush Limbaugh shared similar anti-immigration views.

McCain delivered a gracious concession speech on Election Night, paying tribute to Mr. Obama's historic ascendancy as the nation's first black president. The two agreed that night to meet after the election when McCain called Mr. Obama to concede defeat.

In announcing the meeting on Friday, Mr. Obama's transition office said the president-elect and McCain "share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality."

[bjrober]

I think this is a wonderful step in the right direction. Two men who are of different backgrounds, ie, one a military hero, the other an afro-american
man who did well in college and went on to become the first Afro-American President-elect.....can sit down and work together to help bring this Nation back to where it should be.

[daffy64]

Good for McCain. If he had acted like this before the election, who knows, he might have won.

[bjcone8559]

Interesting... we are now (after the campaign ends) seeing the John McCain that might have had a chance in the election. His concession speech and forward have shown the McCain I have always respected and, quiet frankly, voted for in the primaries. What a shame he sold out to the neocons and the far right wing-nuts while running for president. It would seem that now he is attempting to recapture his soul that was handed over to the dark side for votes.

[colt8881]

Its good that Obama is working with Republicans from the Get GO. Nothing will get done otherwise and stuff needs to be fixed and working together is the only way to do it.

I think John McCain would make a Great Secretary of Defense.

Hillary will make a great Secretary of State.

I voted for Obama and I think McCain would be a Great Choice for Secretary of Defense !

[neoconnie]

Does anyone know what channel Sarah Palin is on tonight? I heard she''s going to have all the kids, Trip, Track, Bristol, Smegma, and Kudzu, and she''ll be announcing wedding plans for her daughter''s marriage to Joe the Plumber.

[tawpdawg111]

Pat Robertson on Laura Ingraham today......"Look at all those faces on Mt. Rushmore ....ALL promoters of protectionist, isolationist (if you will) policies of independence and self-sufficiency."

The only voice of reason in the entire GOP. I wish Barack would listen to him.

First time I listened to Ingraham''s show without changing stations in complete disgust.

[brookie53]

I agree. John McCain can bring something to the table. He should have the wisdom to bring around some difficult decisions to what to do in the mideast. This is going to need both parties to be locked in step to get this done.

[jxknowles]

It''s good to see both men practicing what they preached during the election. Both sides working together and reaching across the the aisle. A new kind of government with the best interests of the average American in mind.

Now, if the far-right and far-left could just set aside the jabs and arrows and start providing optimistic commentary. Don''t give up criticism where criticism is due. Just stop with all the hatred, whining and negativity. That accomplishes nothing.

[rixmix98]

It''''s good to see both men practicing what they preached during the election. Both sides working together and reaching across the the aisle. A new kind of government with the best interests of the average American in mind.

Now, if the far-right and far-left could just set aside the jabs and arrows and start providing optimistic commentary. Don''''t give up criticism where criticism is due. Just stop with all the hatred, whining and negativity. That accomplishes nothing.

Posted by jxknowles at 01:57 PM : Nov 17, 2008



Very well put!!

[gop_will_win]

Why does Obama cross his legs like a girl? Look at McCain cross his legs, very manly.

[yeswedid]

Why does Obama cross his legs like a girl? Look at McCain cross his legs, very manly.

Posted by gop_will_win at 02:03 PM : Nov 17, 2008
------------------------------------------------------
Yeah too bad Obama is going to be our President & your guy isn''t!

[skeetchamp]

Perhaps Mr. McCain realizes what those who have hijacked the Republican party find it hard to accept: They LOST the election by a landslide. America paid attention for two long years as they laid out their case, and we rejected them and their attack-based campaigns. Rather than focusing on becoming again the party of "NO", they should work with the new President to unite Americans and improve our quality of living. Otherwise, we should vote more of them out of office.

[olivia4441]

McCain is an honrable man, he has earned that title, no argument there, Obama has not earned anything but a "win for an election" he has yet to prove. All the bantering about it is follishness until the results about his promises and actions are in. Don''t hold your breath you will win, too. Pity the fool who counts his chickens before they are hatched, childish, if you ask me.

[idnnsg]

Why does Obama cross his legs like a girl? Look at McCain cross his legs, very manly.

Posted by gop_will_win at 02:03 PM : Nov 17, 2008

Look at those pictures again, you id.iot! John McCain has his legs wrapped tightly together, like a girl who is trying to hide/protect her "private area", whereas Obama has one ankle resting up on his knee-- a posture that little girls are taught to avoid like the plague because it will reveal their "private area"!!!

You repugs are so desperate to find anything to criticize Obama with that you get everything all mixed up. Isn''t it about time for you losers to grow up?

PS, gop_will_win: maybe you didn''t get the election results yet... the GOP has LOST. Time to crawl back into your little hidey hole.

[georgiadog8]

Why does Obama cross his legs like a girl? Look at McCain cross his legs, very manly.

Posted by gop_will_win

Why do you always post foolish comments? Who cares! Bush is a manly cowboy and look at the state of our union? Kinda glad he crosses them differently.

[wingnutsblow]

---I heard she''''s going to have all the kids, Trip, Track, Bristol, Smegma, and Kudzu, and she''''ll be announcing wedding plans for her daughter''''s marriage to Joe the Plumber. Posted by Neoconnie---

You left out little Zamboni...

[olivia4441]

It isn''t desperate, friend, it is honesty, a concept that frightens you terribly, you have no idea what reality of this "Obama" means, until it is to late. You have signed your ''death warrant'' and I pity you.

[terrapin78]

McCain is an honrable man, he has earned that title, no argument there, Obama has not earned anything but a "win for an election" he has yet to prove. All the bantering about it is follishness until the results about his promises and actions are in. Don''''t hold your breath you will win, too. Pity the fool who counts his chickens before they are hatched, childish, if you ask me.

Posted by Olivia4441 at 02:20 PM : Nov 17, 2008

I take exception that McCain IS an honorable man.

It''s, in my view, a past tense. McCain was an honorable man until the 2008 election campaign, then he lost his honor by lying and making false statements about his opponent.

Maybe over time, McCain can regain his honor but for now it is LOST!

[wingnutsblow]

You have signed your ''''death warrant'''' and I pity you.

Posted by Olivia4441

Your concern is duly noted, now go play on the freeway.

[joule18]

I personally home McCain stays away from helping Obama since we all really need to learn how Obama will lead . . . not how he will lead from surrogates.

My hope about any change he promised is deteriorating sharply.

Obama was dishonest when he painted McCain as being out of touch and behind the times, now he turns around and wants his "help."

Now we all know that Obama doesn''t know so much, has no idea of how to lead, and is putting together a "rat pack" kind of governance. What a loser.

[jodyrae4]

I think it is a good move.I''m tired of all the mudslinging and foolishness. Time to get along and get this country together.

[joule18]

Don''t you all know that McCain is a RINO?

[terrapin78]

No one seems to understand that the US car companies going bankrupt is a national security issue. We need them to build military vehicles.

We can''t outsource these to other countries too!

[mikezembill]

Well i look at Obama as being a hell of a nice person and i think he may end up doing a good job i dont know what the republicans think.

[daffy64]

Why does Obama cross his legs like a girl? Look at McCain cross his legs, very manly.

---

I''ve tried crossing my legs the way McCain is in the picture but it''s quite uncomfortable if you have male gentials. Usually ladies sit like that.

But really...what are you on about now, guy?

[ldvuong]

Mr. Obama made his career blaming Mr. Bush, without mercy or any respect for a sitting Christian conservative president, without any records or achievements of his own. Time will tell if he can do anyhing good, history shows Dermocartic policy always fails, with big speding, big well-fare system, high taxes to pay for all those things, free abortions paid for with taxpayers'' money, and weak foreign policy. Then, we will see people will turn against him, without mercy nor respect for a change. Watch Pelosi, with her own ambition, closely! Mr. McCain shows he is a true gentleman, a hero and tested leader, a greater man than Mr. Obama''s showmanship, for "Country First."

[daffy64]

It''s surprising that McCain isn''t grimacing in pain, sitting like that. Try it. Ouch.

[bjcone8559]

Why does Obama cross his legs like a girl? Look at McCain cross his legs, very manly.

Posted by gop_will_win

Looking at the picture above, all I can say is you must be hanging around with some trashy girls. If a girl wearing a dress crossed her legs the way Obama has his crossed you would be able to see her tonsils.

[daffy64]

Chicks cross their legs like that.

--

And that gopwillwin guy. Guess he had a horrific accident involving some kind of pinching farm equipment. Our condolences.

[mechengr9]

william6241 and daffy64

You guys really add alot to a politcal discussion. Stop back when you graduate 5th grade.

[kittykatty2]

you are so right nowaymcgoo...girls do NOT cross their legs like Obama, they cross their legs like McCain. I think the poster got mixed up. Oh, I see, it''s gopwillwin...yeah, he''s very mixed up.

[daffy64]

william6241 and daffy64

You guys really add alot to a politcal discussion. Stop back when you graduate 5th grade.

---

I''m sorry it was just amusing that gop-will-win was introducing this silly discussion. I''ll stop now. Lol.

[mechengr9]

I am sorry Daffy64 you could not see my tongue in my cheek. GOPwillwin is amusing.

[daffy64]

I am sorry Daffy64 you could not see my tongue in my cheek. GOPwillwin is amusing.

---

Yeah I always check in to see what his latest rant is. But really, the poor guy has problems. We don''t know his situation so I guess I should lay off.

[erasmus81]

Looking at the picture above, all I can say is you must be hanging around with some trashy girls. If a girl wearing a dress crossed her legs the way Obama has his crossed you would be able to see her tonsils.

Posted by nowaymcgoo at 03:17 PM : Nov 17, 2008

Hahahaha

[mikezembill]

Terrapin78 i do not think that the republican party could care less. Bush was going to let our shipping ports go he is just the worst person in the world to have been the presedent of this country.

[mikezembill]

CBSNews53 i have said the same thing more tan one time.

[specialty8]

Have to hand it to Obama for one thing. He has no idea about what he has gotten into and has no experiance whatsoever,never even ran a car wash.At least he is reaching out to the people that can help him so he won''t look like a total idiot.Got to give him a hand on that.

[rixmix98]

TheMasses10-

You must be one miserably unhappy person.

[boffo1962]

I think that''s pretty cool.

[specialty8]

We must really watch this plan of Obamas on this national security deal.With Pelosi and Reid in charge we really have no way to stop it,so write your reps or whatever you have to do.I for one do not want the SS in the USA.

[boatdocster]

I think McSame will make an excellent shoe shine boy...

[rudy6543]

Posted by specialty8 at 03:37 PM

"In the multitude of counselors there is wisdom."

Too bad Bush never got any of that.

[windmaster12]

Someone tell all these Brainwashed
Self Righteous Fox Fed GOP drones-

That God Is Not-
And never was, a Republican!!!

Time To go back to Catechism 1
And Read About The Pharisees
And The Leaven Of Herod!!!!
They''ve been running the GOP for years!!!

[walt1944-2009]

Great Emperor-elect Obama met with John McBush McCain in Chicago today in an apparent attempt to "bury the hatchet".

Although it is suspected that Obama would have liked to "bury the hatchet" in McBush''s skull, the two of them promised to work together for the betterment of the country; although everyone knows that a vast majority of political promises are NEVER kept!

After all, how many "promises" has the Great Emperor Bush II kept????

At any rate, it is rumored that Obama may have offered McBush the prospect of a job in his cabinet, PROVIDED he fills out the 9 page application for job employment.

The position Obama has made available to McBush is that of "Propoganda Minister" because of the outstanding way McBush had been able to "bend, warp, spindle, and mutilate" the truth during the campaign while all the while claiming to be a "straight talker", and his ability to whip crowds into a frenzy over nonsense.

SIG HEIL, NO ONE LISTENS TO ME ANYMORE; NOT EVEN BARNEY!!!, BUSH!!!

[bjcone8559]

Have to hand it to Obama for one thing. He has no idea about what he has gotten into and has no experiance whatsoever,never even ran a car wash.At least he is reaching out to the people that can help him so he won''''t look like a total idiot.Got to give him a hand on that.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by specialty8



Yeah, the last thing this country needs is another president who looks like a total idiot.

[skyhawk761]

We must really watch this plan of Obamas on this national security deal.With Pelosi and Reid in charge we really have no way to stop it,so write your reps or whatever you have to do.I for one do not want the SS in the USA.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by specialty8 at 03:46 PM : Nov 17, 2008
+ report abuse

With Homeland Security listening in on any U.S. citizens conversation you don''t think it is already here?

[tallyman2008]

We can only hope the civility, graciousness, and Call to Duty exhibited by these two Gentlemen will extend into all of our Nation.

And especially here with those who comment.

Love One Another - Make America Great.

Thank You

[steamed2]

The real problem is that every sitting member of the House and Senate who has been in office for the last ten years has totally abdicated his responsibilities to taxpayers. Its clear that Congress has knowingly misled us and assisted in the malfeasance ongoing in the financial sector of America today. Posting just blogs doesn''t seem adequate for the circumstances so I have decided to email every one and let them know I intend to seek their removal from office, through whatever means available. If you would like some interesting info, and how to do so too, check out http://www.peak.org/~LW584

[MIpapaof4]

McCain will be Secretary of Defense or something. Got to balance the books.