Inauguration Day

Dignity, Ceremony, Majesty, Ritual. Words to describe the Inauguration Ceremony that took place today, an historic event full of tradition confirming our 44th President, Barak Obama.



Memorable moments in pre-inaugural coverage included…

Watching as the Obama’s arrived at the White House to be greeted by George W. and Laura Bush. Mrs. Bush was wearing a pretty pale gray dress and coat, and Michelle Obama wore a pretty (if not a little too bulky) brocade-looking dress with matching coat with olive green gloves and shoes, and brought an unprecedented farewell gift to Mrs. Bush, a box wrapped in white with a red ribbon. As they entered the house, Laura immediately handed it off. We were left wondering what was in the box until several hours later it was confirmed that the gift was a leather bound journal given to the Bushes by the Obamas.

As far as the eye could see, a multi-generational, multi-racial crowd packed the Mall from the Washington Monument to the steps of the Capitol. They started getting in place 4am. An unforgettable sight, not only the numbers, but the spirit of the crowd. One man being interviewed by a reporter said, “I’m here to bear witness for the people who couldn’t be here, who didn’t live to see this moment.” A sentiment no doubt shared by millions. It was said that everyone projects their own sense of hope on Obama.



Two by two, the outgoing and incoming counterparts got into limousines. Guards at the front doors of the white house were standing at attention in full salute. First, Lynn Cheney and Jill Biden, then Joe Biden with Dick Cheney who was wheelchair bound due to a pulled a muscle during the move over the weekend. Then First Lady Laura Bush with Michelle Obama, and finally George W. Bush with Barak Obama. The motorcade made its way from the White House to the Capitol, and Tom Brokaw noted that the ride was probably “pretty chatty” between 43 and 44. He also mentioned the thickness of the Presidential and Vice Presidential limousines have 4-5 inches of armor, much like a battleship would have.

As the motorcade made its way down Pennsylvania Ave. I was moved by the hundreds of service people lining the route, also standing at attention in full salute. The formality and show of respect does it for me every time.

As dignitaries arrived it was a veritable Who’s Who of DC Politics and cultural icons. The cold January wind whipping their coats as they descended the steps from inside the Capitol to the outdoor platform.
Senator Ted Kennedy wearing a fedora and using a cane, looked healthy despite ongoing chemotherapy for brain cancer. Former Boxer and American icon Mohamed Ali, beset with Parkinson’s was gently and carefully seated with his wife.



Former President (41) George H.W. and former First Lady Barbara Bush arrived, both wearing purple scarves, joined by their granddaughters the Bush Twins. They were met inside the Capitol just before going out to the platform by Former President Clinton (42) and Senator Hilary Clinton, who was wearing a beautiful purple coat. They all embraced warmly and it was noted that these two Presidents have probably the strongest friendship of all the living former presidents. I remember hearing George W. once say that his mother now loves Bill more than she does him. That’s ironic, isn’t it?



Former President Jimmy Carter (39) and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter met the Bushes and Clintons in the corridor but didn’t stop for a warm chat. I had to charge the battery on my camera while they were coming in, so unfortunately I didn't get a picture of them. But in a recent book, President Carter accuses Israel of creating an Apartheid system in the West Bank and Gaza, which was quite controversial and has caused him to yet again be at arms length to establishment politics.

On a personal note, my mother worked on the Carter campaigns in 1976 and 1980. She was President of the Democratic Women’s Club of Charlotte and received an invitation to the Carter Inauguration. With great regret, she and my dad ended up not attending due to logistics and weather. But she did get to attend the 1980 Democratic National Convention in New York City as a Delegate from North Carolina for Carter, which was one of the absolute highlights of her life. One of my earliest brushes with fame took place during her service to the Carter campaign, when we attended a function honoring the Carters and I was kissed on the cheek by the First Lady. I was about 5 years old and I do remember it vaguely.

I have to tell about another, much more recent brush with fame when sometime last year during the campaign Bill Clinton was in Charlotte for a major donor’s luncheon at the City Club. I did not know he was going to be in town, and just happened to walk outside the hotel for lunch that day and noticed several police officers on foot, lining Trade Street. Naturally I walked up to one of them and asked what was going on. He said the Clinton Motorcade was making its way uptown and 42 was to disembark at the City Club, right on the street. He relayed updates to me that he was getting on his radio, so I stood there with him for a few minutes. When 42 got out of the car, he was supposed to go straight up to the club, but in typical Clinton fashion he made his way from the lobby of the building into the busy lunch spot attached to it and shook hands with workers and patrons alike. He then exited the building and stepped out into the courtyard, visible from the street and started shaking hands. At that, I bid a farewell and thanks to the officer and trotted across the street to get a closer look. When I saw that some people were a little shy about approaching the President, I squirmed up to the front lines, extended my hand and in my best Monica Lewinsky voice shouted “Welcome to Charlotte Mr. President!” and he shook my hand, looking me square in the eyes. I was so thrilled and proclaimed I would not wash that hand all day!

But back to today’s inauguration… The Supreme Court Justices, including retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, arrived in their robes. Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper made their way down the steps to their seats looking very dignified as he has aged somewhat since his terms in office.

First Daughters Malia and Sasha were adorable in their pretty little girl coats in shades of blue and pink, both with satin ribbon belts and matching boots, escorted by their Grandmother Robinson, who will be moving into the White House with the family. Once at their seats, the older daughter Malia pulled out her camera from a coat pocket to take pictures from her own extraordinary vantage point.



As President Bush, 43, arrived I thought - boy I hope the crowd doesn’t boo him. I am not a fan of his either, but he is the President and a certain measure of respect is called for any time. The military band played Ruffles and Flourishes as he made his way to the platform and as Vice President Cheney, who, as I mentioned was in a wheelchair and could not descend the stairs, was wheeled down a ramp. There seemed to be an absence of major applause for 43, but the media didn’t comment. There was an audible difference in the crowds’ reaction to him compared to the other, more popular guests, but with the delay between what was being seen on television and what was being seen on the jumbo-trons lining the Washington Mall the delay was fortunate I guess, and nothing overwhelmingly disrespectful picked up on the microphones.

Vice President-Elect Joe Biden then made his way down, shaking hands and looking dignified and overjoyed. Dr. Jill Biden wore a bright red coat with tall black boots and looked stylish and lovely.



The cameras then turned to President-Elect Obama, preceded by Speaker Pelosi (not a fan of hers, really) and other top Senate and Congressional officials. Commentators mentioned it must have been a very lonely moment for Obama as he prepared to descend the steps to the platform. Known for his tremendous calm, both inside and outwardly, he seemed more reflective than lonely to me.



Senator Diane Feinstein of California was the master of ceremonies and gave brief remarks before each portion of the ceremony. “The world watches as we engage in the peaceful transfer of power” she said, and it was true. The crowd on the mall, estimated at 2 million, waved flags and cheered as the words floated down the concourse. Indeed, this is the root of liberty.

Next, Rev. Rick Warren, not without his own controversy, gave a stirring invocation, and finished with the Lord’s Prayer. It led me to think about the citizens of this country who are not Christians, and who were left out by his questionable judgment and blatant mixing of church and state in the midst of all the patriotism.

The legendary Aretha Franklin, resplendent in a large “church lady” hat with a gigantic bow, sang a beautifully gospel-y version of “My Country ’Tis of Thee”.



She was followed by the longest serving Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who administered the oath of office to Vice President Joe Biden.

A musical interlude led by famed Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who smiled broadly and enthusiastically looked around as they played an original score called “Air and Simple Gifts”, with renown fellow musicians Anthony McGill of the Metropolitan Opera on Clarinet, Gabriele Montero on piano, and world famous Itzhak Perlman on violin. Living American composer John Williams was asked to compose the piece for the occasion and Yo-Yo Ma was asked by the inaugural committee to organize the performance. They were seated in a box high atop the platform in a special section.

Upon the conclusion, Chief Justice John Roberts, who’s confirmation, it must be noted, Obama opposed and voted against as a Senator, swore in the 44th President of the United States, Barak Obama, a few minutes after 12 noon on a sunny but cold and windy Washington day. As it turns out, Chief Justice Roberts botched the oath slightly, and there was a slightly awkward moment to recover from the error. Freudian slip? Maybe, maybe not.



At that, the new President gave his Inaugural Address, acknowledging the uphill battle he and we face. He talked about the patchwork of our heritage being a strength of our country. He talked about the ushering in of a new era of peace and responsibility. Of the conflicts and enemies of this country he said, “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”



Following the address, American Poet Elizabeth Alexander moved to the podium and stood for a moment, looking out upon the masses, clearly moved as she took it all in, then delivered her original poem written for the ceremony, Praise Song for the Day. In it, she asked, “What if the mightiest word of all is love. A beautiful, all encompassing sentiment.

The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery delivered the benediction. He prayed a very fitting, “[Let God] Mend our Brokenness.” Again, a little more of the blind eye turned towards the separation of church and state, but ended with a rousing “Say Amen! Say Amen! Say Amen!” with the crowd responding enthusiastically.

At last, the Naval Choir sang the National Anthem, and tears welled in my eyes. A huge and sweeping political change took place today, and I am left feeling so fortunate to have been able to watch it unfold from start to finish today, with a sense of hope as we move forward. The Love Fest in Washington DC has reached far beyond the beltway today.

I’ll finish this post with the conclusion of the President’s Inaugural address, quoting the first American President, George Washington:

“In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

‘Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).’

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

God Bless America, and the rest of the World too.

...And Mr. Bush, thank you for your service, be that as it may.