Obama Honors McCain at Bipartisan Dinner - Video

Obama Honors McCain

Obama's remarks at the dinner tonight honoring John McCain:

I’m here tonight to say a few words about an American hero I have come to know very well and admire very much - Senator John McCain. And then, according to the rules agreed to by both parties, John will have approximately thirty seconds to make a rebuttal.

But in all seriousness, on this night, we are glad that the days of rebuttals and campaigning are for now behind us. There is no doubt that throughout the summer and the fall, John and I were fierce competitors who engaged in a vigorous and sometimes heated debate over the issues of the day. And in a great democracy, this debate is both healthy and necessary.

But what is even healthier and more necessary is the recognition that after the season of campaigning has ended, each of us in public life has a responsibility to usher in a new season of cooperation built on those things we hold in common. Not as Democrats. Not as Republicans. But as Americans.

And there are few Americans who understand this need for common purpose and common effort better than John McCain. It is what he has strived for and achieved throughout his life. It is built into the very content of his character.

I could stand here and recite the long list of John’s bipartisan accomplishments. Campaign finance reform. Immigration. The Patients’ Bill of Rights. All those times he has crossed the aisle and risked the ire of his party for the good of his country. And yet, what makes John such a rare and courageous public servant is not the accomplishments themselves, but the true motivation behind them.

It has not been a quest for fame or vanity that has driven this man. It has not been the need to compromise for politics’ sake that has shaped his distinguished career. It is rather a pure and deeply felt love of his country that comes from the painful knowledge of what life is like without it.

Few of us can imagine what John endured during the days he spent in that lonely prison cell, but perhaps we can imagine that surviving such an ordeal provides a unique and renewed perspective about what is important and what is not; about what is worth fighting over and what is not.

We can imagine that the pettiness and bitterness and immaturity that often pervades our politics seems even more unworthy of our country from this perspective; that the incessant bickering and partisanship for the sake of scoring a few political points seems even smaller. And what seems bigger and more worthy of defending are those ideals we hold in common as Americans: liberty, equality, and opportunity.

Those are the ideals that John has spent and risked his life fighting for, and his example is one for all of us to remember and to follow as we seek to defend those ideals against the common threats to our prosperity and our security.

So I’d like to thank John for all he’s done and ask him to come join me on stage for a moment.

Thank you, John, for your service to America and the service you will continue to render in the months and years ahead. And I’d like to close by asking all of you to join us in making this bipartisan dinner not just an inaugural tradition, but a new way of doing the people’s business in this city. We will not always agree on everything in the months to come, and we will have our share of arguments and debates. But let us strive always to find that common ground, and to defend together those common ideals, for it is the only way we can meet the very big and very serious challenges that we face right now. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless America.

See photos here.

Mr. Obama is hosting two dinners tonight for two Republicans — Mr. McCain, his rival for the presidency, and Colin Powell, who backed Mr. Obama in October in one of the most full-throated endorsements by a member of the opposing party.

Mr. Obama is also hosting a dinner for his vice president, Joseph R. Biden Jr., but it is the Republican fetes that have set Washington abuzz in a town well on its way to buzzing itself over the top. The dinners are also helping to raise money for Mr. Obama’s inaugural celebrations.

At the McCain dinner, Mr. Obama said that with his work on subjects like campaign finance and immigration, Mr. McCain had crossed the aisle “for the good of his country.” His motivation, Mr. Obama said, was “a pure and deeply felt love of his country that comes from the painful knowledge of what life is like without it.” NYT

Inaugural Events Jan. 19 Kids Concert and Bipartisan Dinners

Michelle and Jill will be tending the kids inaugural concert and Obama will be honoring Powell, McCain and Biden at bipartisan dinners.
The kids inaugural concert will be live streamed at Disney.com after the broadcast.
Today's events from PIC:

Renew America Together: A Call to Service

To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the President-elect and the Vice President-elect will be participating in service projects in Washington D.C., as thousands of Americans follow their example in communities across the country. Find or host a service event in your community.

Community Service Day Lunch

This event is by invitation only. Please check back for more information about this event.

Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future Concert

7:00 p.m. - The Verizon Center
That night Mrs. Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and their families will be attending the concert honoring military families.

The concert will be broadcast from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on The Disney Channel, be simulcast on Radio Disney and streamed on Disney.com immediately following the telecast.

Bipartisan Dinners

President-elect Obama will host a series of bipartisan dinners honoring Senator John McCain, General Colin Powell, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. The dinners will take place at the National Building Museum, Union Station and the Hilton Washington. The dinners are by invitation only.

5:00 p.m. - Dinner Honoring General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)
National Building Museum

5:00 p.m. - Dinner Honoring Senator John McCain
Hilton Washington

6:30 p.m. - Dinner Honoring Vice President-elect Joe Biden
Union Station

Inauguration Events and Times Jan. 18 - Jan. 21

The swearing-in ceremony starts at 11:30 eastern time.
Here is the latest information on all of the official events from Pic2009:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
Streamed online at HBO. 
We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial, between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW on 23rd Street

Doors open: 8:00 AM EST

Event begins: 2:30 PM EST

This event is free and open to the public.

Public gates open at 8:00 AM at the following locations:

- Public Entry A: Constitution Avenue at 19th Street

- Public Entry B: Constitution Avenue at Virginia Avenue

- Public Entry C: 17th Street at North Elm Walk

- Public Entry D: 17th Street at South Elm Walk

- Public Entry E: Independence Avenue at the DC War Memorial

The Reflecting Pool area, JFK Hockey Fields and Constitution Gardens are open to the public and space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Restricted items for the Lincoln Memorial grounds for the Inaugural Opening Ceremonies:

- Firearms

- Ammunition

- Explosives

- Weapons of any kind

- Aerosols

- Supports for signs

- Packages

- Coolers

- Thermal or glass containers

- Backpacks

- Bags and signs exceeding the size restrictions of 6"X4"X8”

- Laser pointers

- Animals other than helper/guide dogs

- Structures

- Bicycles

- Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard


MONDAY, JANUARY 19

Renew America Together: A Call to Service
On Monday, the President-elect, Vice President-elect, and their families - just like Americans in communities across the country - will participate in activities dedicated to serving others.

To find out more about “Renew America Together” or find a service event near you, please visit USAservice.org.

Community Service Day Lunch
This event is invitation only, and will be pooled press.

Please visit www.pic2009.org for updates.


Kids’ Inaugural: We Are The Future
The Verizon Center

Doors open: 5:00 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Please visit www.pic2009.org for updates.

Bipartisan Dinners
Each of the three bipartisan dinners will honor an American whose lifetime of public service has been enhanced by a dedication to bipartisan achievement.

National Building Museum
Honoree: General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)

Event begins: 5:00 PM EST

This event is invitation only, and will be pooled press.


Hilton Washington
Honoree: Senator John McCain

Event begins: 5:00 PM EST

This event is invitation only, and will be pooled press.


Union Station
Honoree: Vice President-elect Joe Biden

Event begins: 6:30 PM EST

This event is invitation only, and will be pooled press.



TUESDAY, JANUARY 20

The Swearing-In Ceremony
United States Capitol, West Front

Event begins: 11:30 AM EST

No tickets are required to view the Inaugural Ceremony on the National Mall west of 4th Street.

We anticipate large crowds. As such, we strongly encourage you to visit the official Presidential Inaugural Committee at www.pic2009.org for updates, directions and additional information regarding transportation and pedestrian routes. Text the word “open” to 56333 to receive official Inauguration news updates, transportation notices, and ways you can participate, whether they’re in Washington or in your own community.


Inaugural Luncheon
United States Capitol

Following the swearing-in ceremony, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, and members of their families will attend an inaugural luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

This event is not open to the public. Please contact the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies at 202-244-2228 for more information.


Inaugural Parade
Pennsylvania Avenue

Event begins: While there is no official start time for the parade, it traditionally begins around 2:30 PM EST

The majority of the parade route will be free and open to the public for standing room access. Viewing spots along the parade route are available on a first come, first serve basis. A limited number of bleacher seats were available for sale but have sold out.


Official Inaugural Balls
A ticket is required for admission to each ball.

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall D
Doors open: 5:00 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 10:30 PM EST



President Obama Home States Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall E
Doors open: 5:00 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 11:30 PM EST



Commander-in-Chief’s Ball
National Building Museum
Doors open: 5:30 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 12:00 midnight

Vice President Biden Home States Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Ballroom
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 11:30 PM EST


Mid-Atlantic Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall A
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 12:30 AM EST


Midwestern Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall C
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 1:30 AM EST


Western Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall B
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 1:00 AM EST



Youth Ball
Hilton Washington
Doors open: 7:00 PM EST

Event begins: 9:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 2:30 AM EST



Eastern Ball
Union Station
Doors open: 8:00 PM EST

Event begins: 10:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 2:30 AM EST



Southern Ball
DC Armory
Doors open: 8:00 PM EST

Event begins: 10:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 2:00 AM EST



WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21

National Prayer Service
Washington National Cathedral

The morning after the inauguration, a National Prayer Service with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, and members of their families will be held at the National Cathedral. The service will bring together dignitaries and Americans of diverse faiths to celebrate the previous day’s events through prayer, readings, and musical performances.

Doors Open: 7:30 AM EST

All ticketed guests should arrive before 8:30 AM EST.

This event is not open to the public. The service is by invitation only and tickets are required.

For other balls and events, visit here.

Bipartisan Dinners to Honor Powell, McCain and Biden

This photo is the inauguration platform and the other is Lincoln's hat. 
From Change.gov:

The night before the presidency changes hands on January 20th, President-elect Obama will host a series of bipartisan dinners honoring Senator John McCain, General Colin Powell, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

All three honorees have built reputations as leaders who work across the aisle to progress our country.
Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle, along with everyday Americans, will attend the dinners at the National Building Museum, Union Station and the Hilton Washington.