Obama, McCain vow cooperation

CHICAGO – No longer foes but not yet allies, President-elect Barack Obama and John McCain buried their bitter campaign in public smiles and searched for common ground in private on Monday, discussing possible collaboration on climate change, immigration, Guantanamo Bay and more.

The 40-minute session at Obama’s transition headquarters was their first meeting since Nov. 4 when Obama handily defeated McCain. On Thursday, he quietly met here with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his toughest rival for the Democratic nomination and now a possible choice for secretary of state.

McCain’s meeting with Obama was less furtive, and aides to both men said no Cabinet post is envisioned for the Arizona senator. For both, a friendly relationship with the new president might open new opportunities in Congress or elsewhere, though they exchanged harsh words with him not long ago.

For Obama, cordial ties to two of the nation’s most famous and successful politicians might smooth the launch of an administration confronting an economic crisis and two wars.

Before Monday’s meeting, Obama said he and McCain would talk about “how we can do some work together to fix up the country.” He thanked McCain “for the outstanding service he’s already rendered.”

In a joint statement after the meeting, they vowed to work together to reform government and promote bipartisanship in Washington.

Obama and McCain expressed similar views on a number of issues during the campaign, such as 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 of working together on that broad issue, as well as on comprehensive immigration revisions. They also discussed the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, which both men have criticized.