The post-election actions of President-elect Barack Obama thus far suggest a genuine interest in fostering a bipartisan atmosphere in Washington.
On Monday, he met in Chicago with Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, less than two weeks after the end of a hard-fought general election. While body language suggests a lingering tension between the two men, the symbolism of Monday's meeting is important. McCain could be a key Senate ally in forwarding some of the goals he and Obama share of cutting wasteful spending, addressing climate change issues and reforming immigration policies.
Last week, word was leaked - presumably from the Obama camp - that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was being considered for the secretary of state post in the next administration. While Sen. Clinton campaigned vigorously for Obama after the Democratic Party convention, there were some serious inner-party divisions created by their heated primary contest.
And Obama even extended an olive branch to Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent who caucuses with the Democratic Party but essentially was a Republican on the campaign trail - going so far in his support of McCain as to give a speech at the Republican Party convention. It is reported that Obama urged his Democratic colleagues in the Senate to ease the thoughts of banishing Lieberman from the caucus.
Yes, Obama's actions speak well of his ability to bring both parties to work together. The important test, of course, is whether those actions will be followed by deeds. That will be necessary to tackle the tough issues our nation faces.
On Monday, he met in Chicago with Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, less than two weeks after the end of a hard-fought general election. While body language suggests a lingering tension between the two men, the symbolism of Monday's meeting is important. McCain could be a key Senate ally in forwarding some of the goals he and Obama share of cutting wasteful spending, addressing climate change issues and reforming immigration policies.
Last week, word was leaked - presumably from the Obama camp - that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was being considered for the secretary of state post in the next administration. While Sen. Clinton campaigned vigorously for Obama after the Democratic Party convention, there were some serious inner-party divisions created by their heated primary contest.
And Obama even extended an olive branch to Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent who caucuses with the Democratic Party but essentially was a Republican on the campaign trail - going so far in his support of McCain as to give a speech at the Republican Party convention. It is reported that Obama urged his Democratic colleagues in the Senate to ease the thoughts of banishing Lieberman from the caucus.
Yes, Obama's actions speak well of his ability to bring both parties to work together. The important test, of course, is whether those actions will be followed by deeds. That will be necessary to tackle the tough issues our nation faces.
