By Billy House
Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- In this city blanketed by hundreds of thousands of visitors, tight security and giddy celebration amid the winter cold, Barack Obama takes his historic oath of office today (TUESDAY) as the nation's 44th president.
The anticipation surrounding the inauguration of the first African-American president is tempered, however, by the challenges facing a country tired of war, frightened of economic turmoil and looking for better times.
"I am making a commitment to you as your next president that we are going to make government work," Obama said Monday, during an event to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
But he added, "Everybody is going to have to pitch in, and I think the American people are ready to do that."
Before Obama takes the oath today, Joe Biden will be sworn-in as vice president. Then, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath to Obama with the same Bible used to swear-in Abraham Lincoln.
In his inaugural address, Obama is expected to outline the challenges ahead, but also portray the nation as equipped to emerge even stronger and more united.
"Thrill of my life"
Hundreds of Floridians will be among the nearly 2 million people expected to be on hand for Obama's swearing-in, speech and inauguration parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
"The thrill of my life," said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa. Castor will be attending her first inauguration as a member of Congress, and will have a close-up, VIP view of the proceedings.
Both of the state's U.S. senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, as well as other Tampa Bay area federal lawmakers will also be in attendance. Gov. Charlie Crist and his wife, Carole, Chief Financial Alex Sink, and a number of other Florida politicians plan to be in town for the swearing-in.
Approval Ratings High
Obama will move into the White House on a wave of good will. An ABC News/Washington Post poll put his favorability rating at 79 percent, the highest for an incoming president since Ronald Reagan.
Obama has become a symbol of different things to different generations and races, suggests Karen Thurman, the Florida state Democratic chairwoman, who Monday hosted an well-attended "open house" coffee for Floridians at Florida House on Capitol Hill in Washington.
For many African Americans, Obama's arrival into the Oval Office underscores how far they country has come, and a confirmation of the dream King had.
"I've been looking forward to seeing a black president in the White House for so long - I've been waiting since I was 7-year-old," said Almeta Butler, 59, a University of South Florida employee from Tampa. "I am so happy for what this man has accomplished.
For others, Obama represents a new and different type of politician, who speaks more directly to their younger generations.
"I think there is a new energy there, and that he represents a type of leader willing to work more collaboratively on behalf of the American people," said Robin Didden, 35, a bank project manager from Tampa.
Tyler Placeres, 16, a Robinson High School 11th-grader, is one of six teens from the Boys & Girls Club chosen to fly to Washington, says he doesn't even really think of Obama as being a politician who is black.
"I think of him as an American politician," said Placeres. He said Obama is somebody who has changed politics in a lot of ways -- including "the way he can talk and win a crowd over."
Tight Security
Overall, this 56th inauguration and its events -- balls, luncheons, dinners, today's parade and other happenings -- carries the theme "A New Birth Of Freedom."
Yet it is being held under the tightest inaugural security ever.
More than 8,000 federal, state and local police officers - and another 7,000 National Guardsmen -- will be on hand for the inaugural ceremony and subsequent parade, all coordinated by the Secret Service.
Bridges from Virginia into Washington are closed to public traffic. And many streets downtown - about 3.5 square miles, in all -- are blocked off. Several Metro stations will be closed or open for limited use during the day and surveillance cameras will be employed all around.
The nearly 2 million people expected descend on the secured National Mall for the inauguration could face up to three-hour waits at 13 designated entry areas,
Frigid Weather
Along with the tight security, cold weather is to continue in the nation's capital.
After a dusting of snow Monday, forecasts call for cloudy weather today with temperatures mainly in the 20s during the Inauguration. With the wind blowing, it will feel more like the teens on the national mall.
Over 10,000 people from all 50 states will follow the president and vice president from the Capitol down the 1.5 mile route on Pennsylvania Avenue starting at about 2:30 p.m. Among the participants will be the Florida A&M University Marching "100" band out of Tallahassee, the Taravella High School Band from Coral Springs, and members of the Endeavor Crew representing NASA
Later in the day will come other official events, including 10 dance balls to be hosted by Obama and his wife, Michelle. A "Southern State" ball will be shared by Floridians with those from 10 other states.
But the centerpiece of today's events will be Obama's inaugural address.
Obama's scheduled 12:01 p.m. address is anticipated to run about 20 minutes. It is expected to refer to other crisis periods in U.S. history - and to the actions of other presidents that led the country out of difficult times.
However, explicit details of Obama's first-year agenda will mostly come in his State of the Union address to Congress, expected in February or early March.
Reporter Billy House can be reached at 1 (202) 662-7673.
The anticipation surrounding the inauguration of the first African-American president is tempered, however, by the challenges facing a country tired of war, frightened of economic turmoil and looking for better times.
"I am making a commitment to you as your next president that we are going to make government work," Obama said Monday, during an event to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
But he added, "Everybody is going to have to pitch in, and I think the American people are ready to do that."
Before Obama takes the oath today, Joe Biden will be sworn-in as vice president. Then, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath to Obama with the same Bible used to swear-in Abraham Lincoln.
In his inaugural address, Obama is expected to outline the challenges ahead, but also portray the nation as equipped to emerge even stronger and more united.
"Thrill of my life"
Hundreds of Floridians will be among the nearly 2 million people expected to be on hand for Obama's swearing-in, speech and inauguration parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
"The thrill of my life," said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa. Castor will be attending her first inauguration as a member of Congress, and will have a close-up, VIP view of the proceedings.
Both of the state's U.S. senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, as well as other Tampa Bay area federal lawmakers will also be in attendance. Gov. Charlie Crist and his wife, Carole, Chief Financial Alex Sink, and a number of other Florida politicians plan to be in town for the swearing-in.
Approval Ratings High
Obama will move into the White House on a wave of good will. An ABC News/Washington Post poll put his favorability rating at 79 percent, the highest for an incoming president since Ronald Reagan.
Obama has become a symbol of different things to different generations and races, suggests Karen Thurman, the Florida state Democratic chairwoman, who Monday hosted an well-attended "open house" coffee for Floridians at Florida House on Capitol Hill in Washington.
For many African Americans, Obama's arrival into the Oval Office underscores how far they country has come, and a confirmation of the dream King had.
"I've been looking forward to seeing a black president in the White House for so long - I've been waiting since I was 7-year-old," said Almeta Butler, 59, a University of South Florida employee from Tampa. "I am so happy for what this man has accomplished.
For others, Obama represents a new and different type of politician, who speaks more directly to their younger generations.
"I think there is a new energy there, and that he represents a type of leader willing to work more collaboratively on behalf of the American people," said Robin Didden, 35, a bank project manager from Tampa.
Tyler Placeres, 16, a Robinson High School 11th-grader, is one of six teens from the Boys & Girls Club chosen to fly to Washington, says he doesn't even really think of Obama as being a politician who is black.
"I think of him as an American politician," said Placeres. He said Obama is somebody who has changed politics in a lot of ways -- including "the way he can talk and win a crowd over."
Tight Security
Overall, this 56th inauguration and its events -- balls, luncheons, dinners, today's parade and other happenings -- carries the theme "A New Birth Of Freedom."
Yet it is being held under the tightest inaugural security ever.
More than 8,000 federal, state and local police officers - and another 7,000 National Guardsmen -- will be on hand for the inaugural ceremony and subsequent parade, all coordinated by the Secret Service.
Bridges from Virginia into Washington are closed to public traffic. And many streets downtown - about 3.5 square miles, in all -- are blocked off. Several Metro stations will be closed or open for limited use during the day and surveillance cameras will be employed all around.
The nearly 2 million people expected descend on the secured National Mall for the inauguration could face up to three-hour waits at 13 designated entry areas,
Frigid Weather
Along with the tight security, cold weather is to continue in the nation's capital.
After a dusting of snow Monday, forecasts call for cloudy weather today with temperatures mainly in the 20s during the Inauguration. With the wind blowing, it will feel more like the teens on the national mall.
Over 10,000 people from all 50 states will follow the president and vice president from the Capitol down the 1.5 mile route on Pennsylvania Avenue starting at about 2:30 p.m. Among the participants will be the Florida A&M University Marching "100" band out of Tallahassee, the Taravella High School Band from Coral Springs, and members of the Endeavor Crew representing NASA
Later in the day will come other official events, including 10 dance balls to be hosted by Obama and his wife, Michelle. A "Southern State" ball will be shared by Floridians with those from 10 other states.
But the centerpiece of today's events will be Obama's inaugural address.
Obama's scheduled 12:01 p.m. address is anticipated to run about 20 minutes. It is expected to refer to other crisis periods in U.S. history - and to the actions of other presidents that led the country out of difficult times.
However, explicit details of Obama's first-year agenda will mostly come in his State of the Union address to Congress, expected in February or early March.
Reporter Billy House can be reached at 1 (202) 662-7673.