Obama sworn in as 44th president

[estranged4life]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28745226/?GT1=43001

First black leader makes history at crucial time for his nation

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday afternoon, banishing forever more than 200 years of history during which the office passed from white hands to white hands and promising a new era of “hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

Under the Constitution, Obama became president at noon ET, even though he had not formally been sworn in with the inaugural ceremonies running behind schedule. Using his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, the new president took the oath of office at 12:05 p.m. from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, whose nomination to the court he opposed as the junior Democratic senator from Illinois.

Roberts, who used no notes, stumbled at one point, appearing to forget the opening words. Obama, a former constitutional law professor, made sure to insert the crucial phrase “that I will faithfully execute the office of president to the United States.”

Then, clasping hands with his wife, Michelle, Obama smiled and waved to the crowd of as many as 2 million people who jammed the National Mall.

As the crowd chanted, “Obama, Obama,” the president thanked his predecessor, George W. Bush, and said he was “humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.”

Obama acknowledged that “we are in the midst of crisis.”

“Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred,” he said. “Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

Saying ”the time has come to set aside childish things,” Obama declared: “Today, I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.

“But know this, America — they will be met.”

New president vows to remake America America
In an address that Obama rehearsed repeatedly as late as Tuesday morning, Obama balanced a serious and somber tone with hope and optimism, the themes of his precedent-breaking campaign for president.

While asserting that the United States remained “the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth,” the president warned that “everywhere we look, there is work to be done.”

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America,” Obama said.

The Obama administration will try to do that by building roads and bridges, expanding the nation’s electric grids and bolstering the digital infrastructure.

He promised to “restore science to its rightful place,” addressing a major complaint by critics who said Bush choked off scientific innovation for political purposes. And he said he would “transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.”

Only then did Obama, who is inheriting two wars from Bush, turn to foreign affairs. In what appeared to be an oblique criticism of his predecessor, Obama said America’s ideals “still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.”

After a Bush administration whose policies strained relations with numerous foreign governments, Obama pointedly addressed “all other peoples and governments who are watching today,” telling them, “America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity.”

“We are ready to lead once more,” he declared.

Biden sworn in as vice president
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens swore in former Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as vice president at 11:57 a.m. ET before as many as 2 million people who swarmed the National Mall. They were there to witness Obama’s banishing forever more than 200 years of history during which the office had passed from white hands to white hands.

Obama and Bush arrived together at the Capitol, riding in a motorcade from the White House, where Bush and his wife, Laura, hosted the Obamas and Biden and his wife, Jill.

The ceremony got under way at 11:45 a.m. ET with a welcoming message from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

The invocation was delivered by the Rev. Rick Warren, the pastor of the evangelical Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.

Warren’s selection created controversy among some of Obama’s supporters because of his opposition to homosexuality, but he delivered a nonsectarian message celebrating Obama’s “inauguration as the first African-American president of the United States.”

Warren said all Americans were “united, not by race or religion or by blood.”

Obamas make traditional church visit
The next president met his predecessor after beginning his day quietly and reverently, at a private service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, a tradition for those about to become president. Biden and his family also attended.

By custom, Obama, Biden and their wives went directly from church to the White House for coffee with Bush and his wife, Laura.

Michelle Obama brought a gift for the outgoing first lady in a white box decorated with a red ribbon.

A sleek, heavily armored Cadillac limousine stood ready to take them to the Capitol for the transfer of power, an event flashed around the world in television and radio broadcasts and in podcasts and over Internet streaming.

On Monday, Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back, leaving him in a wheelchair for the inauguration.

Remarkable ascent
Tuesday’s ceremony culminates a remarkable ascent for Obama, 47, a Democrat who moves into the Oval Office as the nation’s fourth-youngest president. In less than five years, he rose from an Illinois state Senate seat to the nation’s highest office, persuading Americans that despite his relative inexperience, he could turn around the economy and end the war in Iraq.

A gifted, inspirational speaker, Obama has raised the hopes of millions seeking a new course for the United States. He has promised to emphasize diplomacy, seek global solutions to climate change, reject torture and shut down the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Obama’s presidency puts Democrats firmly in charge of Washington. They will control both chambers of Congress and the White House for the first time since 1994.

Bush leaves Washington as one of the nation’s most unpopular and divisive presidents, the architect of two unfinished wars and the man in charge at a time of economic calamity.

Bush’s approval ratings, which soared after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, plummeted over his handling of the Iraq war, his slow response to Hurricane Katrina and the economic meltdown.

Pre-inauguration polls indicate that Americans believe Obama is on track to succeed despite the enormous burden placed upon his shoulders. They express confidence that the new president can turn the economy around, but Obama has cautioned that improvements will take time and that things will get worse before they get better.

Unprecedented security
More than 10,000 people from all 50 states — including bands and military units — were assembled to follow Obama and Biden from the Capitol on the 1½-mile inaugural parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, concluding at a bulletproof reviewing stand in front of the White House.

The inauguration was expected to draw as many as 2 million people. Security was unprecedented as Washington braced for logistical headaches with major streets and bridges into the capital closed.

But that did not dim the excitement as a party atmosphere took hold on the National Mall. Several blocks from where Obama was to take the oath of office, the Boy’s Choir of Kenya gave an impromptu performance Monday for anyone who happened to be nearby.

“I didn’t think I would see a black president in my generation. I just had to be here,” said Donald Butler, 20, a student at the University of Washington in Seattle.

By Alex Johnson of msnbc.com. Michelle Acevedo, Athena Jones, Domenico Montanaro, Mark Murray and Pete Williams of NBC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

© 2009 MSNBC.com

[GypsyGirl15]

It was broadcasted on all channels here. I thought the speech was amazing.

[David]

a stirring speech, filled with hope & strength & resolve (... & a couple of big usage errors).

Have fun in Washington all day, 2 million-plus!

[GoS]

Isn't he only the 43rd person to take the oath of office (Pesky Mr. Cleveland)?

[BombaySapphire3]

After eight long years of one embarrassment after another I can feel proud to be an American again.Our new President has his work cut out for him cleaning up after perhaps the lamest President ever but like I have said all along on here do not underestimate Barack Obama.

[RoseGarden]

I liked his speech very much. He is not painting a pretty picture but preparing us for the huge challenge the US has to be a great nation again.

***On a personal note: Does anyone else think Obama andWife were waving good bye to Bush with great joy to rid themselves of the vermon? Sure hope they exterminate the White house real well after that ass of human occupied it for 8 years.

[BTFLCHLD]

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by RoseGarden

***On a personal note: Does anyone else think Obama andWife were waving good bye to Bush with great joy to rid themselves of the vermon? Sure hope they exterminate the White house real well after that ass of human occupied it for 8 years.

I also noticed the adoring throngs that greated Barack and Michelle on their progress along the parade route in sharp contrast to the sparse group that pelted Bush's limo with rotten vegetables in the 2001 parade..If only he had stepped down then instead of sticking around for eight disasterous years.

[GoS]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

If only he had stepped down then instead of sticking around for eight disasterous years.

Amen to that. Whether or not you agree with him, he has pretty much trashed our (US's) reputation in the rest of the world. But wait, that would mean that Cheney would be president, so never mind!!!!

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by GoS

Amen to that. Whether or not you agree with him, he has pretty much trashed our (US's) reputation in the rest of the world. But wait, that would mean that Cheney would be president, so never mind!!!!

Nah I was thinking more along the lines of stepping down before he took the oath and admiiting that Al Gore had indeed won the 2000 election.

[Musicman408]

I watched the festivities all day starting at 7 this morning and I loved it. I am so pleased that Obama won. I just wish my dad could share in my family's joy in this one. He is so staunchly Republican.

[dontlookdown]

"It was a great day, great day, great day..."

[iamnotafraid]

We should revisit this thread in about two or three years.......

[ashton]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

We should revisit this thread in about two or three years.......

Call it a hunch, but I think that "Obama sworn in as 44th President," won't change much in two or three years.

Your black clouds didn't work.

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by GoS

Amen to that. Whether or not you agree with him, he has pretty much trashed our (US's) reputation in the rest of the world.

As a non-American, with all respect, I must say that your estimation is absolutely accurate. A lot of people all over the world expect Obama to be a miracle-worker, and he's made America cool again in the eyes of the world -- something of a miracle in itself!!