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Former Rivals Cozy Up on Inaugural Eve

Obama hails McCain as 'national hero'

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 6:40 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama and John McCain buried the hatchet last night at a dinner honoring the Arizona senator, whom Obama called an "American hero." The president-elect praised McCain's bipartisan record and added, "John is not known to bite his tongue and if I'm screwing up, he's going to let me know." McCain vowed to cooperate with Obama "in the hard work ahead," and the two embraced.

The reception last night was one of three that Obama attended—the others were for Colin Powell and Joe Biden—and the president-elect had to leave before McCain made his remarks. McCain, who faces an election in 2010, said he was honored "to play a small role in the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, even if it isn't the one I had in mind a few months ago."

President-elect Barack Obama shakes hands with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at a dinner in Washington on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.
President-elect Barack Obama shakes hands with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at a dinner in Washington on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President elect Barack Obama acknowledges the audience as he takes the stage, before introducing Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at a dinner in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.
President elect Barack Obama acknowledges the audience as he takes the stage, before introducing Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at a dinner in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President-elect Barack Obama welcomes Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to the stage at a dinner in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.
President-elect Barack Obama welcomes Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to the stage at a dinner in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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I'm here tonight to say a few words about an American hero who I have come to admire very much: Sen. John McCain. And then, according to the rules agreed to by both parties, John will have 30 seconds to make a rebuttal. - President-elect Barack Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Guest
Jan 22, 2009 9:50 PM CST
I actually wrote McCain in 2000, after he lost to Bush, and told him how much I admired him. Two years later, after I watched him trade his values to support Bush in everything he did, I couldn't support him anymore. I think that at heart, he is a honorable man. Politics have a way of sucking honor out of people, however. I hoping that Obama lasts a while before that happens.
Mad
Jan 20, 2009 3:55 AM CST
Republicans have zero honor, so don't expect them to recognize it when they witness it
Guest
Jan 19, 2009 8:37 PM CST
John McCain is an honorable man, but his mistake was choosing the Pit Bull for his running mate.

Three-dinners Barack works the crowds
ABC News

Imagine if Bush and Gore had done this in 2000
Moderate Voice

 
Barack Obama • John McCain • inauguration • bipartisanship • Election 2008 • President Obama

 
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