DENVER–

While Barack Obama meets with European leaders in Germany, France, and London, John McCain met with a spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The meeting was private, but the presumptive Republican nominee said they spoke of the exiled spiritual leader’s desire, “for reconciliation with the Chinese and the Chinese people.” The two walked out of the discussion clasping hands, but took no questions from the press.

McCain urged the Chinese government to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and to release Tibetan political prisoners held by China against their will, “I urge the Chinese leaders to engage in talks and make progress with his Holiness’ representatives in addressing the just grievances of the Tibetan people. I urge the Chinese government to release Tibetan political prisoners, account for Tibetans that have quote disappeared since the protests in March and engage in meaningful dialogue and genuine autonomy for Tibet.”

The Arizona Republican met with the Dalai Lama in Aspen while the religious leader was there for a three-day symposium of Tibetan culture. McCain said next month’s Olympic Games in Beijing would be a good time for those negotiations and called on the United States to express their concern for China’s poor human rights record:

“The Olympics next month should be a time for China to demonstrate to the world that it’s committed to respecting the basic human rights of its people,” McCain said, “The United States welcomes good relations with China, but it does no service to the Chinese government and certainly no service to the people of China for the United States and other Democracies to pretend that the suppression of rights in China does not concern us. It does, will and must concern us. “

The Dalai Lama called McCain an “old friend” who had genuine concern for Tibet. But, according to John Ackerly, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, McCain and the Dalai Lama have never met before. The two have spoken by phone something Ackerly said is not a regular occurrence for the Dalai Lama. McCain requested the meeting months ago and they were able to schedule it today.

“Now, this time my visit is non-political. Meanwhile, my old friend one of the candidates for president of this great country,” the Dalai Lama said, “And he showing genuine concern about the democracy and human rights and religious freedom and environmental issues in China in general and particularly in Tibet’s case.”

The Republican nominee-in-waiting made it clear that it was not an endorsement by the spiritual leader adding, “our prayers are with you and the people of Tibet.” Ackerly said the Dalai Lama would present McCain with a white silk scarf, a sign of hospitality and respect.

Columbus, OH–

While Barack Obama spoke in front of hundreds of thousands in Berlin today, John McCain visited a German restaurant here. He jabbed his opponent for his speech on foreign soil while he is still a candidate, “Well I’d love to give a speech in Germany to– a political speech –or a speech that maybe the German people would be interested in,” McCain told reporters, “But I would much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for the office of the presidency.”

The Republican nominee-in-waiting says he is focusing on campaigning in America—another not so subtle jab at his rival, “And so we’re gonna be campaigning across the heartland of America and talking about the issues that are challenging America today.”

The McCain campaign put out a statement after Obama’s speech today pushing the same themes as the candidate did–that Obama is acting as though he is already the president while McCain is focused on average Americans:

“While Barack Obama took a premature victory lap today in the heart of Berlin, proclaiming himself a ‘citizen of the world,’ John McCain continued to make his case to the American citizens who will decide this election,” Spokesperson Tucker Bounds said in an e-mailed statement, “Barack Obama offered eloquent praise for this country, but the contrast is clear. John McCain has dedicated his life to serving, improving and protecting America. Barack Obama spent an afternoon talking about it.”

McCain made his comments after visiting Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus where he ordered chocolate puffs and had lunch with local small business owners discussing the economy, health care, and rising gas prices.

John McCain will participate in the LIVESTRONG summit this evening—a town hall focused on cancer with seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. Tomorrow he will be meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. McCain says he looks forward to the meeting tomorrow, “ I have been a great admirer of the Dalai Lama and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting an individual who is a transcendent international role model and hero and I have admired him and respected him for the efforts he’s made on behalf of freedom of the people of Tibet but also all over the world.”

The meeting will be at a conference on Tibetan culture in Aspen, Colorado.