Obama's inauguration was one of the biggest-- and certainly most-anticipated -- events in the country's history. It turned out to be a great success. More than 1 million people squeezed into the National Mall.
There was a slip up with the oath, but it is understandable that President Obama and Chief Justice John Roberts were nervous.
Obama's speech has been described as "somber", yet it was also hopeful. He thanked Bush for his service to the nation. He also acknowledged the nation's economic situation, but assured the crowd he would quickly get to work:
"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."
"The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act".
Although he delivered his speech gracefully and powerfully, and I think people expected more.
In addition, several members of Obama's Cabinet were confirmed in the Senate. Hillary Clinton, however, was not one of them. A senator from Texas has been blocking her confirmation. Not to worry, her confirmation will only be delayed a day or two.
The festivities also included prayer (Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, the civil rights leader who worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the benediction), musical performances (including Aretha Franklin, who sang "My Country Tis of Thee"), and the parade.
The weather was freezing, however, and I was much happier watching it on screen.
Tune in tonight to watch Obama go from one Inauguration ball to another.
5 comments:
Just a little comment about the oath hiccup. As soon as Obama started early on the first sentence, I knew he was going to mess up on the second one since he would be thinking about how he had just messed up the first line of his oath and wouldn't be paying full attention to what he had to say.
Although that second line was a mouthful, and even I had difficulty playing back the line in my head after Justice Roberts said it, wouldn't Obama have memorized the oath so that this thing wouldn't happen?
Actually, the reason why Obama stopped in the second sentence is because Chief Justice Roberts said, "that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully," I heard Obama pausing when he caught the mistake and Roberts correcting himself by saying, "...faithfully the office of president of the United States." (still wrong, it's suppose to be "...I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States,") Not a particularly big mistake, just a bit of an embarrassment on the part of Roberts. I mean, he is the gosh darn Chief Justice of the United States.
Even though his speech may have been a little off, he had obviously made his point out. Obama promised to take immediate action in the course of improving this nation and raising it up from the economic crisis. His overall speech did seem a little vague though, however he was able to convince the majority of his duty and what possible 'good' outcomes that may come out of him during his office.
I agree. I think Obama's slip up was not as a big deal as everyone makes it. I mean, come on people, he is human after all. Also, it was like a one-word mistake and people start freaking out. I have to say that everything else was amazing: the speeches and the ceremony. This is such an exciting day for Americans because we get to see actual change in our country. Change in the economy is what everyone is expecting to improve.
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