Anyone else watching? I'm excited! I got the picture from CNN.com. A few preliminary notes: still a big pet peeve to attribute Obama's victory only to G.W. Bush's failures; really it is like saying the Allies won because the Axis did such a horrible job on their military campaign in Russia. Kind of true, but only one part of the story, and the most frustrating is that there is no way to prove it.
Anyway, so it begins. The former Presidents and their wives are walking out to their seats. And now the kids, which to be a little cynical I don't really get why the children are a big deal. Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Lynn Cheney come in. Mrs. Michele Obama and Mrs. Jill Biden enter. President Bush, the last time I have to write that, and Dick Cheney enter with the "top Republican leadership." Vice President Elect, Joe Biden enters so does Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi...and President Elect Obama!
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, CA, gives the welcome and address.
Dr. Rick Warren gives the Invocation.
Aretha Franklin sings "My Country Tis of Thy."
The Honorable John Paul Stevens administer oath of office to Joe Biden.
"Air and Simple Gifts" composed for this occasion by John Williams, and performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero.
Obama has become President of the United States even though he hasn't taken the oath of office because it is after 12:00pm.
Chief Justice of the United States, John G Roberts, Jr. give President Obama the oath, which Obama messes up on, and is all the more human for it.
President Obama gives his Inauguration speech, saying (and these are the highlights):
We the people have remained faithful to the founders and founding documents. We are in crisis, war, economy, greed, collective failures. A nagging fear that the next generation must lower sites, the crisis are real, but they will be met. We gather because we have chosen hope instead of fear. All are free. The time has past for waiting; we must dust ourselves off and begin rebuilding America. Restore science to it's rightful place. Transform our schools to meet the demands of a new age. Some suggest our system can't do it, but they are short sited. The ground has shifted, and those arguments no long apply. Without watchful eye the market can spin out of control. Reject safety or ideals. Rule of law and rights of man, and we will not give them up for expedients sake. America is a friend of each nation, and we are ready to lead once more. Power alone can not protect us or entitle us to do as we please. We will begin to leave Iraq, establish peace, and we will defeat you who change peace. We know our patch work heritage is our strength. The old hatreds will pass, and our common humanity will reveal itself. The world has change and we must change with it. New era of responsibility.
Elizabeth Alexander, American Poet, reads "Praise song for the day."
Benediction given.
National Anthem, and then exit.
