Posted on 07/29/2013 4:19:36 PM PDT by IbJensen
WASHINGTON - There was no conciliatory phone call, no heart-to-heart talk to soothe the tensions. No one knows exactly when President Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain went from bitter rivals in the 2008 presidential campaign and foes over health care and national security to bipartisan partners.
Yet in recent months, an alignment on high-profile domestic issues - not to mention an eye on their respective legacies - has transformed Obama and McCain into Washington's most unexpected odd couple. The Arizona senator is a regular visitor to the West Wing and in near-daily contact with senior White House officials.
McCain, in an Associated Press interview, said that he and Obama "trust each other." White House chief of staff Denis McDonough, among the Obama advisers who speak regularly with McCain, praised the lawmaker as a "refreshing" partner who "welcomes a debate and welcomes action."
-snip-
For Obama, the senator has become a rare Republican backer of important elements on the president's second term agenda, including immigration overhaul, stricter background checks for gun buyers, and perhaps a fall budget deal.
In return, McCain has secured increased access to the White House and an opportunity to redeem his reputation as a Capitol Hill "maverick." That image was tainted when McCain tacked to the right during his failed 2008 presidential run against Obama.
"I've told the people of Arizona, I will work with any president if there are ways I can better serve Arizona and the country," McCain said. "That seems to be an old-fashioned notion but it's the case."
-snip-
McCain said his stronger ties with the president on domestic issues won't keep him from challenging the president on national security issues..... "He is the president of the United States," McCain said. "You can strongly disagree and still be respectful."
(Excerpt) Read more at gopusa.com ...
The GOP has backed this disgraceful jackass every time hes run and that's one reason I have no use for the Republicrat Party. There just isn't any difference between him and his democrat opponents. He would have made an absolutely disastrous president, but the GOP threw their full support behind him which they have done for so many RINOs over the past 30 years.
Its long past time for all conservatives to abandon this worthless party and form a viable alternative. It's boiled down to do we want poison or poison lite.
More like "poison max or poison extreme".
Does McCain really have to “cross the aisle” to stand with Obama?
I have always believed that McCain ran to ensure Obama’s victory.
McCain is a bootlicker, to put it mildly.
McCain can kiss my ass.
Why is it surprising that McCain likes Obama? He endorsed Obama *during* his campaign.
Senility has kicked in 100%.
http://www.usvetdsp.com/nov07/mccain_deceit.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061115075127AAqYQw9
A man doesn't change his true nature and McCain has certainly been consistent in his behavior over the years.
I trust McCain just as much as I trust Obama.
Whe either one speaks I know that the truth is the exact opposite of what they say.
I was confused. I’d expected to see stands with Mike Lee.
..whatever gave you that idea?
"Crossing the aisle" is BS. This is war. The Republican Party is toast.
They will not fight this war, so we must find some people who can and will.
His father was the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) who was ABOVE General Westmoreland, the US commander in Southeast Asia (including Vietnam). Do you really think the Communist North Vietnamese mistreated such a valuable bargaining chip?
They never were bitter rivals.
Or dog food vs dog $hit
The bastard has been totally brainwashed into a full blown communist!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.