The Fox analysts are going though their thoughts. Mine? Three things struck me.
First, it seemed to me that President Obama used his speech to dampen the expectations of his supporters, both domestic and foreign. There is no single element to the speech that leads me to that conclusion; rather it is embedded in the tone of the entire speech.
It also seemed that the inauguration attendees recognized it as well, as there were relatively few interruptions for applause.
Second was this warning: "We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." Again, it seemed to me that it was directed as much to the extreme left within the US as to those without.
Third was this tribute to our military: "We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves."
Continuing, he said "And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all." Right or wrong, it seems to me that he was chiding the Democratic left for being anti-military.
The full transcript is here.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
LIVE BLOGGING THE INAUGURATION
1240: It's over. Barack Obama is now President of the United States.
1235: The benediction -- more in line with what the crowd expected, I think. The crowd applause was the largest I heard.
1230: Now it's poetry time ... a sop to the "true believers" in my opinion. My wife disagrees.
1225: President Obama's speech is over. Althouse is a bit negative, I think.
1201: The crowd is shouting "O-ba-ma!" but it was quickly stilled. Well, he seems to be making the right statements ... certainly less partisan than I had expected; also less negative. He's promising a lot; now arguing that the American people can do it.
The crowd is quiet; I don't think that Obama is telling the true believers what they wanted to hear.
"We will not apologize for our way of life." Not what the nutroots wanted, I think.
1200: The concert is over; Chief Roberts is about to administer the oath. Obama fumbled the oath; but no matter -- he's now the President. "Hail to the Chief" is being played; now it's time for him to speak.
1154: Biden is being sworn in. Justice Stevens administered the oath; Joe Biden is now Vice-President of the United States. Now a "symphony" to introduce the next President.
1150: Pastor Rick Warren is delivering the invocation. Well done.
1145: Shadow and Daisy watch the inauguration.
0900: The traffic in Manassas is surprisingly light. WTOP, the local news and weather radio station is reporting 21 degrees in Washington, with wind chill down to the teens and possible snow flurries later this morning. Metro is reporting over 350,000 people carried; parking garages are at capacity as far out as Springfield/Franconia and Vienna/Fairfax (the end of the lines in Virginia). Entrances along the east side of the Mall have already been closed.
It looks like inauguration goers have a choice -- to attend the inauguration or to attend the inauguration parade, but not both. The parade route is limited to 350,000, and may already be at capacity.
0830: The weather is cold, but clear. The crowd estimate is for about 1.5 million by noon. Metro is reporting over 150,000 carried since opening this morning. Interesting comment by Fox News: "This election has been about change. So far the change is in Obama."
1235: The benediction -- more in line with what the crowd expected, I think. The crowd applause was the largest I heard.
1230: Now it's poetry time ... a sop to the "true believers" in my opinion. My wife disagrees.
1225: President Obama's speech is over. Althouse is a bit negative, I think.
1201: The crowd is shouting "O-ba-ma!" but it was quickly stilled. Well, he seems to be making the right statements ... certainly less partisan than I had expected; also less negative. He's promising a lot; now arguing that the American people can do it.
The crowd is quiet; I don't think that Obama is telling the true believers what they wanted to hear.
"We will not apologize for our way of life." Not what the nutroots wanted, I think.
1200: The concert is over; Chief Roberts is about to administer the oath. Obama fumbled the oath; but no matter -- he's now the President. "Hail to the Chief" is being played; now it's time for him to speak.
1154: Biden is being sworn in. Justice Stevens administered the oath; Joe Biden is now Vice-President of the United States. Now a "symphony" to introduce the next President.
1150: Pastor Rick Warren is delivering the invocation. Well done.
1145: Shadow and Daisy watch the inauguration.
0900: The traffic in Manassas is surprisingly light. WTOP, the local news and weather radio station is reporting 21 degrees in Washington, with wind chill down to the teens and possible snow flurries later this morning. Metro is reporting over 350,000 people carried; parking garages are at capacity as far out as Springfield/Franconia and Vienna/Fairfax (the end of the lines in Virginia). Entrances along the east side of the Mall have already been closed.
It looks like inauguration goers have a choice -- to attend the inauguration or to attend the inauguration parade, but not both. The parade route is limited to 350,000, and may already be at capacity.
0830: The weather is cold, but clear. The crowd estimate is for about 1.5 million by noon. Metro is reporting over 150,000 carried since opening this morning. Interesting comment by Fox News: "This election has been about change. So far the change is in Obama."
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