The day before he was inaugurated as 44th President of the United States, he held dinners for two war criminals:
Jan. 19, 2009
The New York Times
In Bipartisan Appeal, Obama Praises McCain and Powell
By Katharine Q. Seelye
In a major bipartisan appeal on the eve of his inauguration, Barack Obama held dinners Monday evening for Republicans Colin Powell and John McCain, praising both to the skies and perhaps making a down payment on future political success.
In an unusual effort to create political opportunity out of what is usually a dead period in the days leading up to an inauguration, Mr. Obama reached across the aisle and across the battle lines of the last election, calling his former opponent a man who sought common ground and attaching superlatives to Mr. Powell.
He did not mention that Mr. McCain evinced little of his bipartisan side during the presidential campaign.
“There are few Americans who understand this need for common purpose and common effort better than John McCain,” Mr. Obama said at the dinner he held for Mr. McCain at the Washington Hilton. “It is what he has strived for and achieved throughout his life. It is built into the very content of his character.” Continue reading
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 