Obama to honor McCains Service - The Orange Mane

rastaman · 01-19-2009, 07:10 AM

A dinner for John McCain: Can Obama teach us all a few manners?

George Harris, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory panelist
(http://voices.kansascity.com/node/3296)

President-elect Barack Obama will host dinners on the eve of his inauguration to honor Vice-president-elect Joe Biden, Colin Powell and...Senator John McCain, the man he defeated to win the presidency.

Obama’s going to dinner at the home of George Will to meet with conservative columnists was probably just good politics and good strategy. But hosting a dinner to honor John McCain and his service to the country is either brilliant strategy or unbelievably gracious.

Maybe it’s both. I am unaware of whether any previous president-elect has ever hosted a dinner for his election opponent. It certainly seems rare.

Rare enough to be a little shocking. I wish I could say I am sure I'd have thought to do it.

I voted for Mr. Obama, not Mr. McCain, and thought the McCain campaign stooped pretty low pretty often. It was disappointing and maddening, because maybe I’m naive but I liked John McCain and thought he should have run a campaign as honorable as most of his life.

He didn’t. But Senator McCain still deserves respect, and having a dinner for him just seems right. Mr. Obama is doing it.

I don’t expect or even want politicians not to argue and fight. But wouldn’t it be nice for the arguments to focus on the problems facing the country rather than distract us with slurs and insinuations?

Let’s hope the President-elect has the style and manners we’d all want our children to see. His grandmother must be smiling.

Bronco Bob · 01-19-2009, 11:39 AM

Bet Sarah Palin wasn't invited.

Crushaholic · 01-19-2009, 12:16 PM

Obama himself separated "McCain the POW" from "McCain the presidential candidate". McCain's story is unique in the annals of modern-day presidential contenders.

01-19-2009, 07:10 AM	#1
rastaman Ring of Famer New to the Forum Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,180 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	Obama to honor McCains Service A dinner for John McCain: Can Obama teach us all a few manners? George Harris, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory panelist (http://voices.kansascity.com/node/3296) President-elect Barack Obama will host dinners on the eve of his inauguration to honor Vice-president-elect Joe Biden, Colin Powell and...Senator John McCain, the man he defeated to win the presidency. Obama’s going to dinner at the home of George Will to meet with conservative columnists was probably just good politics and good strategy. But hosting a dinner to honor John McCain and his service to the country is either brilliant strategy or unbelievably gracious. Maybe it’s both. I am unaware of whether any previous president-elect has ever hosted a dinner for his election opponent. It certainly seems rare. Rare enough to be a little shocking. I wish I could say I am sure I'd have thought to do it. I voted for Mr. Obama, not Mr. McCain, and thought the McCain campaign stooped pretty low pretty often. It was disappointing and maddening, because maybe I’m naive but I liked John McCain and thought he should have run a campaign as honorable as most of his life. He didn’t. But Senator McCain still deserves respect, and having a dinner for him just seems right. Mr. Obama is doing it. I don’t expect or even want politicians not to argue and fight. But wouldn’t it be nice for the arguments to focus on the problems facing the country rather than distract us with slurs and insinuations? Let’s hope the President-elect has the style and manners we’d all want our children to see. His grandmother must be smiling.

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01-19-2009, 11:39 AM	#2
Bronco Bob Tastee Freeze Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 9,464 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	Bet Sarah Palin wasn't invited.

01-19-2009, 12:16 PM	#3
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,045	Obama himself separated "McCain the POW" from "McCain the presidential candidate". McCain's story is unique in the annals of modern-day presidential contenders.