Barack Obama inauguration open thread

Update – 12:12 PM: It’s official.

——
I’m home today, watching Fox News’ inaugural coverage on and off.

One thing I’d like to say is that, even though I do not support our incoming president’s liberal agenda, I pray that his inaugural is a safe, uneventful affair. Fox is reporting that PEBO is wearing bullet proof clothing. I’m not sure if that’s standard, but all the same, there’s never any shortage of nutcases out there ready to take aim at presidents of this country. Let’s hope and pray those threats are contained today – and everyday.

None of us are happy about this, I know, but all the same, I’m interested in your thoughts as we observe the last few minutes of the Bush presidency and usher in the presidency of Barack Obama. If you can’t get to a TV but would like to watch the goings-on in DC, go here.

40 Responses to "Barack Obama inauguration open thread"

Carol says:

January 20, 2009 at 10:52 am

I’m sad – President Bush won’t be there to make difficult decisions to keep us safe. I’m scared – We’ve lost a lot of our savings. I’m uneasy – Is a recession/depression coming? I’m anxious – 9/11 memories and Islamic terrorism. I’m nervous – Huge liberal agenda headed our way. I’m angry – If I don’t support Obama, I’m a racist.
yo says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:06 am

If you wish bo success, then you have to wish for different policies. You can’t “support him, help him” and expect to have a moral, prosperous country. His policies and morality and prosperity collide with each other.
T-Steel says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:08 am

First and foremost, I want this Inauguration go smoothly and without incident. Secondly, I was never one of those of the “Left Side” that called former President Bush every disgusting, nasty, terrible name out there. He made mistakes but he did his best as President of the United States. And I truly feel history will judge Bush Jr. much better than people currently judge him.

As a black man, I’m ecstatic at seeing President Barack Obama take the office. I look at this as a moment that we black folks give up the “straight victim card” and pick up the “straight American card”. There is so much we can do together without divisiveness. I feel a great weight lifted off my shoulders simply because of Obama’s ascendency to the Presidency. As my grandfather said this morning to me, “Damn son, America works!”.

All that being said, President Obama has TOO MUCH to do and FAST. And things will ONLY be accomplished with the help of Republicans and Conservatives. If Democrats and Liberals think running roughshod over conservative thought, values, and ideas is the way, you are unpatriotic and un-American.

And Carol, anyone that calls you a racist for not supporting Obama is un-American. It’s your right. But you support America and that’s all that counts!
BeachBabe NC says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:22 am

NO CAROL you are not a racist. That is what has made me so angry about all of this. The whole black racist thing. White racist thing WHATEVER you want to call it. Im terrified!! Im terrified that this man who they call “The One” is being so caudled by everyone. I have never in my LIFE seen what Im seeing now with BO. Have you seen the cost of his festivities today? Are you Kidding me are we really in a recession/depression or is it really not that bad? To me BO will always be “That One”.
But on a different note I do agree with ST,on that his inagural is safe and uneventful. I do hope that it is a safe and short 8 yrs. I hope I eat every ounce of crow at the end of 8 yrs. I hope he turns out to be a great president! He can make it happen with everyones support. I hope he chooses the right thing to do as an American.
Carol says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:25 am

Thanks, T-Steel, you’re a great American! My best friend is Black and I call him often for guidance to understand where good Black people are coming from. I grew up in Detroit and try really hard to understand. I just feel Obama used the race card to win the election and fear he may let Black people down. I pray I’m wrong.
Carol says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:34 am

T-Steel, I do have a couple of questions for you. If McCain would have won, what do you think the atmosphere would be like in the country? Would the transition be as smooth as President Bush has made it? I really, really hate the double standard in the media. They will never give President Bush a break. Their incompetence may prove to be detrimental. And if anything did happen to Obama, I can’t even imagine what would happen throughout our country. Remember Rodney King? I pray for “every” American’s safety on this historic day.
NC Cop says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:39 am

Have no fear, our ~~watchdog~~ lapdog media will not let Obama fail. No matter what the screw up, no matter what the wrong decision is, he will be protected by those that feel it is “their job” to make him a good president.

We’ve never seen such hype about a president before, but that does not concern me. What bothers me is how our MSM has gone from holding the government accountable to making sure they succeed, virtually overnight. The media’s job, in regards to government, is to make sure that they are doing the right thing for the country. It is obvious that we are going to have 4 years of covering up for the pres.

It’s absolutely disgraceful
KG says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:51 am

I don’t usually watch inaugural stuff, no matter who’s up for the job. To me, it’s like watching the Academy Awards…crowds, speeches, etc. Ugh. Not my thing.

I don’t want anything to happen either…not today nor while he’s in office. That worries me the most. Because if something were to happen, that would be so much worse than Obama being in office.

I think I will treat this presidency (which I’m hoping will be only 4 years) as I did the Clinton years…whenever he came on tv, I turned the channel. I couldn’t stand to listen to him talk or make a speech.

The only good news I am hearing now is that Pelosi and crowd already seem to be on a bit of a different page than Obama. I don’t think they see 100% eye-to-eye…I hope that lasts.
Carol says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:56 am

Well said, KG. Well said.
BeachBabe NC says:

January 20, 2009 at 11:59 am

Here we go AMERICA… GET READY
BeachBabe NC says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:06 pm

HE CANT EVEN SAY THE OATH he is choking on the words.. UGH!!!
Sister Toldjah says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:07 pm

I’d probably do the same thing – be a bundle of nerves.
BeachBabe NC says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:09 pm

He doesnt seem to choke on his speech… Oh well.. God Bless him!
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Bundle of nerves or hidden agenda you decide. – Lorica
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm

I would like to make a correction to his speech. Only 43 people have taken the oath of office. Obama is the 44th president, but Grover Cleveland is considered both the 22nd president and the 24th president. – Lorica
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm

I would like to make a correction to his speech. Only 43 people have taken the oath of office. Obama is the 44th president, but Grover Cleveland is considered both the 22nd president and the 24th president. – Lorica
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm

I would like to make a correction to his speech. Only 43 people have taken the oath of office. Obama is the 44th president, but Grover Cleveland is considered both the 22nd president and the 24th president. – Lorica
Nina says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:14 pm

If McCain would have won I would have been nervous too. He is nothing bit a turncoat. We need to make sure our candidates reflect our values.
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:17 pm

Also, I like how Now we need to put away childish things. LOL Where were you over the last 4 years?? Now all of a sudden we need to stop the bickering. Why is it only the left in this country gets to “p**s and moan” about EVERYTHING, and no one should tell them to be quiet, and to deal with it. How many people complained for 8 years that Bush was illegitimate because he “stole the election”??? The left in this country is so pathetic. Shoot me dead if I ever start to think that way, please. – Lorica
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:22 pm

I agree Nina. I let the RNC have it last night. I told them flat out I won’t ever give them a single dime until this party becomes a conservative party again. This poor woman just kept telling me that is what they are trying to do. I told her that until it happens, I will not give them any more money. I told her that was the same lies that I was told in 2004, 2006 and 2008, and that the Republican party has done nothing but lost ground, and wasted our tax dollars. I had her on the phone for over 5 mins, and I didn’t give them a single dollar, and I am not about to. – Lorica
Carol says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:32 pm

I am very concerned that President Obama botched the oath. Is it because he cannot speak without a prompter? I can still hear Bush haters screaming that President Bush could never speak and was stupid. If it wasn’t for eight years of Bush bashing I would believe it was just nerves. I’m sure he had ample time to memorize the lines. I can’t give him a pass on this one.
Brian says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:44 pm

C’mon guys, Obama isn’t to blame for the botched oath, Roberts is. He said it wrong, and that threw Obama off. I mean, obviously Obama has rehearsed the oath to the point of knowing it by heart (wouldn’t you?), and then Roberts did it wrong. There’ll be plenty of things to nit-pick about The One over the next four years, but this one is a non-issue.
Carol says:

January 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Sorry, Brian, the past two years flashed before my eyes. I prefer a president who doesn’t have to read a prompter all the time. Can you tell me how many live interviews he gave in the past two years? Can you tell me how many questions like the one from Joe the Plumber were thrown his way the past two years? It’s called speaking from your heart and soul, not from words given to you by your excellent speech writer. I’m sorry if I don’t trust the guy. As I always say, I’ll eat my words if I’m totally off base and have been wrong about him all along.
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Ohhh Brian, we aren’t nit picking about him screwing it up. I have taken similar oaths several times, it is pretty easy to “repeat after me”. Also, this isn’t about Barack at all, it is about all of the people who told us how articulate and great he was giving a speech. Just makin’ alittle fun at the One’s expense.

Also, where the heck is the 4.5 million people that were missing from the inauguration??? Did aliens stop them from showing up?? – Lorica
alchemist says:

January 20, 2009 at 1:06 pm

I’m hopeful today, but I understand that many here aren’t. Hopefully he’ll do things in the best interest of the nation, find a common chord or a plan that makes our nation stronger, not weaker. Of course, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to argue about which decisions are which…

Nonetheless, I can definitely agree on this…

I like the new webpage. Very Classy.
Great White Rat says:

January 20, 2009 at 1:28 pm

I’m also glad that the inaugural was safe and uneventful. But I’m not going to join in hoping the Obama administration is a success. I hope he is a complete and dismal failure.

If Obama succeeds in pushing through his promised tax and spending increases, it will mean a weaker economy, more job losses in the private sector, and a return to the stagflation of the late 70’s. So I want him to fail.

If Obama follows through on his campaign rhetoric of rapid disengagement from the WOT, it will give terrorists worldwide “hope” that the beating they’ve taken since 9/11 may be over. I want him to fail there too.

You see the pattern. If he succeeds, America fails. I’d rather see America succeed than any president, regardless of party.

Of course, if he moderates from the campaign platform and accepts the counsel of centrists like T-Steel, I’ll reconsider that stance.
Neo says:

January 20, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Let us all pray that our new President doesn’t turn out to be the poster child for what is wrong with affirmative action.
Public Secrets says:

January 20, 2009 at 1:39 pm

RSVP, with regrets…

I won’t be watching the inauguration of Barack Obama today. Not that I have anything against the man personally: I almost never watch any inaugural. I bear him no rancor: his side won, my side lost. I’ve been through enough……
Anthony (Los Angeles) says:

January 20, 2009 at 1:45 pm

I don’t wish Obama success, because success would mean successfully implementing the plans he outlined during the campaign, and per force I think those plans cannot succeed. Keynesian economics just don’t work.

On the other hand, if those promises too had their expiration date (as all Obama statements seem to) and he moves toward the Center, then I wish him success at that and at stopping the worst excesses of the Pelosi-Frank faction.

Regardless, however, I do wish him luck. With the state of the world these days, he’ll need it.
Brian says:

January 20, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Carol & Lorica, no offense, but it is nit-picking. Obama was expecting the traditional oath, and then Roberts deviated from that, and that would throw anyone off, regardless of how prepared they are or how well-spoken they are.

I’m no fan of Obama, not by a long shot. I think he’s an empty suit, can only talk competently when there’s a telepromter in front of him (I’ve seen him speak without one, it’s brutal to listen to), etc.

This, I think anyone would have flubbed it given the circumstances. You can see the look on his face was “Oh, ok…we’re doing it differently.” About the worst thing you could say is that Obama didn’t adapt and go with the flow, but that’s about as far as I would go. And yeah, I know, had the same thing happened to McCain or Bush (in his past inaugurations), the left would have been all over it. But we’re not the left, and we shouldn’t act like them.

And I’m with everyone else, I hope Obama fails to get his policies enacted. I don’t want to see him fail in his constitutional duties (“preserve, protect, and defend”), but his far-left agenda needs to go down in flames.
Tom TB says:

January 20, 2009 at 3:17 pm

I talked to my 88 year old mother; Warren G. Harding was President when she was born, Barack H. Obama is now the 16th resident of the people’s house in her lifetime. She would like to see a woman there, but not Hillary. Her biggest problem with Obama is his lack of experience, something Biden mentioned when he was an opponent.
Lorica says:

January 20, 2009 at 3:19 pm

Well Brian, thank you for making my point. A really good speaker is able to focus on the one they are suppose to be repeating after. Yes Roberts screwed up, but how hard would have been for Barack to just repeat after Roberts. My nit-picking is more about all of these suck ups in the media telling us how great of a speaker he is. Well, I don’t know about you Brian, but a really great speaker, could go with the flow, a really quick thinker could figure it out. I am making fun of all the years of of BS that President Bush had to put up with because he didn’t talk like the rest of us, Ya Know(thank you Caroline Kennedy). According to what I have been hearing for the last 2 years, Barack Obama should transend the normal rules that govern you or I, and he should have been able to figure it out. That is what I am making fun of.

Also, try taking that oath and screwing it up like that when you join the military or are hired by the Government. You will repeat it, as you are to be focused on the words and on the flag at all times as you take that oath. – Lorica
Great White Rat says:

January 20, 2009 at 3:26 pm

A really good speaker is able to focus on the one they are suppose to be repeating after.

I’m surprised he didn’t just say “Present” and explain that taking the oath was above his pay grade.
Dana says:

January 20, 2009 at 4:28 pm

Barack Obama knew the oath; he gave the Chief Justice a “What did you just say?” look when John Roberts fouled it up.

Beyond that our new president gave a tremendous inaugural address: well-crafted and magnificently delivered. I had a couple of small quibbles, but that’s about it.

The speech was a bring-us-together speech, and a Republican could have easily delivered the same address. President Obama didn’t launch into left-wing bromides, and actually talked about being proud to be an American, about American exceptionalism, and that we would fight and win against our enemies. It was a great speech.

Now he has to live up to it.
Dana says:

January 20, 2009 at 4:30 pm

And I do stress that he is our president now. I remember all of the ridiculous “He’s not my president” bovine feces that came from our friends on the left, and I won’t be as childish as they have been for the last eight years.

We have only one president, and for the time being, Barack Hussein Obama is the man. We can work to change that in 2012.
T-Steel says:

January 20, 2009 at 4:34 pm

Carol said: “T-Steel, I do have a couple of questions for you. If McCain would have won, what do you think the atmosphere would be like in the country?”

Well the inauguration wouldn’t be as big. But as far as atmosphere, I think it would be fine but not as festive. Most black folks thought Obama would lose even as they cast their votes on Election Day. So the whole “black riots” is just silly. But McCain wasn’t popular with conservatives. And I think conservatives in Congress would have been fighting with a President McCain many times. Look, I wanted Colin Powell to run. I deeply respect the man. And if it was Colin Powell running against Hillary Clinton, black folks would have voted Republican. Yes, many of us voted on color. But not in a malicious way. But because it was THE FIRST. And that has always been a big deal in America: FIRST! Look I understand the disappointment that many conservatives feel. You had a man that really wasn’t a conservative lose to Obama. So you had to endure a protracted period starting with Bush Jr and then the presidential run. That’s tough. And I’m not the teasing type so I don’t get enjoyment in that.

All I can say is that I hope President Obama sincerely brings Republicans and Conservatives to the table and enact policy that doesn’t sweep conservative ideals under the rug.
Mwalimu Daudi says:

January 20, 2009 at 8:06 pm

I like the new web site, ST!
Leaning Straight Up » Obama’s speech: What did he really say? says:

January 21, 2009 at 2:52 am

[…] to ST, HA, Nuke’s, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Political Byline, third world […]
Great White Rat says:

January 21, 2009 at 9:10 am

Dana says:

The speech was a bring-us-together speech, and a Republican could have easily delivered the same address. …..Now he has to live up to it.

Ah, there’s the problem. If someone like Sarah Palin or Bobby Jindal talks about “a new era of responsibility”, I can believe they mean what they say.

But I find it very hard to believe, for example, that the Chicago machine politician who was the all-time second largest recipient of FM/FM campaign cash is really going to do something about making the mortgage lending process more responsible.

And I find it hard to believe the President Obama who promised the terrorists that we would defeat them. Not while Code Pink leaders are sitting in the VIP seats for his inaugural and not when that same President waited less than 24 hours after taking office to halt all the military prosecutions at Gitmo, including those of the 9/11 plotters.

President Obama has a track record of speaking eloquently and then doing exactly the opposite (remember his pledge to take federal campaign funds and limit expenditures?). Much of what he says are “just words”.

So for now, I remain a skeptic. I’m not “willing to suspend disbelief”, to use Hillary’s phrase.
Lorica says:

January 22, 2009 at 12:02 am

Well Chief Justice Roberts readministered the Oath of Office again today….just in case. – Lorica

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