The president-elect offers kind words to his former rival Monday night at the first of series of bipartisan dinners in D.C. Watch a video here.

“And there are few Americans who understand this need for common purpose and common effort better than John McCain.” Full remarks here.

Later: Obama travels to the National Building Museum for a dinner honoring Colin Powell. Pool report here.

Even later: Attends a third dinner honoring Biden. Pool report here.