Mr. Obama Honors McCain, Powell, and Biden

by A. Tran | January 19, 2009 at 02:56 pm

642 views | 60 Recommendations | 8 comments

As previously posted by this writer when the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC2009) announced on Jan. 10 that President-elect Obama is hosting a series of bipartisan dinners to honor Senator John McCain, General Colin Powell, and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden on Jan. 19, tonight.

The bipartisan dinners serve to highlight one of President-elect Obama’s commitments to renew America's promise by celebrating bipartisan accomplishments.

It is the first time in history that an incoming President is hosting the bipartisan dinners, which includes honoring two former rival presidential candidates, one from each party, Republican and Democrat, albeit the latter is an incoming Vice President.

It is an Obama trademark to win over even those who don't share his views and party affiliation.

According to Mr. Obama, the three honorees have built reputations as leaders who work across the aisle to progress the nation.

"In these times of great challenge and great change, leadership requires rising above the same old narrow partisanship," Mr. Obama said, “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."

United States Senator John McCain will be honored at a bipartisan dinner held at the Hilton Washington. Democratic Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick will serve as master of ceremonies.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will introduce Senator McCain.

Ms. Patti LaBelle is the performer.

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) will be honored at a bipartisan dinner held at the National Building Museum. U.S.Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) will serve as the mistress of ceremonies.

U.S. Senator John Warner (Ret., R-VA) will introduce General Powell.

Ms. Faith Hill is the performer.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden will be honored at a bipartisan dinner held at Union Station. Democratic Governor of Virginia Tim Kaine will serve as the master of ceremonies.

U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) will introduce Vice President-elect Biden.

Ms. Carole King is the performer.

Congressional members from both parties along with Americans from around the country have been invited to these dinners at the National Building Museum, Union Station, and the Hilton Washington.

Additional details about this pre-inauguration events can be read from the posting by this writer on NP.

Inauguration-related articles provided by this writer on NP:

External Resources:

The Smithsonian Institution

The National Register of Historic Places in Washington D.C.

The National Mall

The Lincoln Memorial

The United States Capitol Building

The National Building Museum

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Fripouille

at 16:18 on January 19th, 2009

....and I honour the United States. The elegance and grace of winners and losers, the coming together of different mentalities, the laying down of guns for great moments, and the national solidarity that goes with it all are a humbling lesson for all......

A credit to you all.....

A. Tran

at 18:10 on January 19th, 2009

Thank you Fripouille for your recommendation, comment and interest in the American political system.

It is a credit to Mr. Obama for hosting bipartisan dinners, as I mentioned in my article, that it is historical.

Nevertheless, there have been successful and genuine bipartisanship among some of Congressional members, and most people don't usually pay attention to those bills that have passed over the years, until tonight by Mr. Obama, an incoming President.

The legislative and executive branches need to work together otherwise, nothing is going to move, as evident in previous administrations. Sen. McCain has a record of working across the aisle. Gen. Powell has worked across the aisle. Mr. Biden has also worked across the aisle.

158

at 17:10 on January 19th, 2009

That was a nice gesture.

A. Tran

at 20:17 on January 19th, 2009

Thank you 158 for reading, commenting, and your recommendation.

Amy Judd

at 19:29 on January 19th, 2009

He really is one for breaking through history huh? Good for him!

A. Tran

at 20:05 on January 19th, 2009

Thank you so much Amy for reading, commenting, and your recommendation.

Yes, it appears that Mr. Obama continues to break through history is small and big ways, be it bipartisan dinners, appointing former rivals, celebrating opposing presidential candidate, or to release his own election night photos to the press, or to allow the public techno-access to the goings-on of the inaugural preparations, or to invite a classical quartet to his inauguration, to name a few.

I expect he will do more in the days, months, years ahead when he starts to govern.

Sanjay Jha

at 19:36 on January 19th, 2009

Thanks for your post. This is very gracious on Mr. Obama's part to host a bipartisan dinner and inviting former rival candidate.

A. Tran

at 20:12 on January 19th, 2009

Thank you so much Sanjay for reading, your comment and recommendation. It's certainly the first time that an incoming President to host bipartisan dinners.

I expect that Mr. Obama will continue to reach across the aisle in the months ahead as he and his economic team comes up with solutions for an ailing American economy.