They called each other names during the campaign. Obama's called his rival, John McCain's ideas "tired" and "old". And McCain repeatedly said that Obama had fraternized with terrorists. But the battle is over, let the festivities begin.
President-elect Barack Obama has decided to honor his one-time rival, Senator John McCain at a dinner on the night before his inauguration.
Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee announced the dinner Friday, saying the gesture demonstrates Obama's "commitment to bridging the bipartisan divide"
But McCain's won't be the only pre-inaugural dinner. Obama is also said to be planning two other dinners to honor two other leaders. They are Joe Biden, the Democratic Vice-President elect and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican who endorsed Obama's presidential campaign over McCain's bid. The three people will all be honored on January 19 because, as the Obama camp puts it, "they worked across party lines, putting their country ahead of their political party." Such bipartisanship is a central theme of Obama's campaign and transition to power.
In a recent statement, Obama said,
"In these times of great challenge and great change, leadership requires rising above the same old narrow partisanship. Each of these distinguished Americans has spent his life in service to his country, at each and every moment placing the interests of America before issues of political party. That is precisely the spirit of common purpose we need as we begin the work ahead."
The dinners will be held at the National Building Museum, Union Station and the Hilton Washington.
