Obama, McCain meet in Chicago

By Christina Bellantoni (Contact) | Monday, November 17, 2008

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UPDATED:

President-elect Barack Obama on Monday sat down with the Republican rival he defeated less than two weeks ago, looking for ways they can work together and possibly eyeing Sen. John McCain for a role in his administration.

Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain began their meeting noon (EST), their first moments together since the Democrat won decisively Nov. 4 and the first face-to-face meeting since an Oct. 16 charity dinner following their final debate.

Before the men entered a room with three U.S. flags, Mr. Obama told reporters briefly his intentions for the sit-down with the Arizona Republican:"We're going to have 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."

A reporter asked Mr. McCain if he would help Mr. Obama with his administration, prompting him to respond: "Obviously."

The Obama transition team offered few details of the private meeting, which took place at the headquarters in Chicago, releasing the same statement three times: "It's well known that they 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."

Following the meeting, Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain released a joint statement. "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," the former rivals said in the statement. "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. 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."

Photographers were allowed to spend about 90 seconds in the room at the Kluczynski Federal Building where the Obama transition is located. Aides are likely to give a brief outline of the topics that came up for discussion following the meeting.

Also in the room were Obama chief of staff Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Mr. McCain's close friend Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Those two men have worked together many times. In his concession speech on Election Night, Mr. McCain, long known for his willingness to work with Democrats to enact major legislation, struck a tone of cooperation.

"I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face," the Republican said.

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