CHICAGO, Ill. - They once faced off as fierce rivals. Monday, Barack Obama and John McCain stood side by side pledging to work together.
President-elect Obama and Sen. McCain met for their first face to face meeting since the election. They met in Obama’s transition headquarters in Chicago. Others in attendance include Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Republican senator Lindsey Graham.
Beforehand, Obama expected a productive meeting.
"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 Senator McCain for the outstanding service he's already rendered," the president elect said.
The meeting lasted 40 minutes. Afterwards, both men issued a statement saying they wanted to change the bad habits of Washington.
During the campaign, both Obama and McCain expressed similar views on a number of the issues like the dangers of climate change and a need to ease U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.
Aides familiar with Monday's meeting said the two men spoke about comprehensive immigration revisions and the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. Both men have been critical of the camp. Obama has vowed to close it.
As for his cabinet positions, Obama said he is likely to invite at least one republican to join his cabinet. Aides to both men said no Cabinet post is envisioned for the Arizona senator.
