Crowds throng Obama's inauguration
Crowds filled the National Mall on a crisp Monday for the second
inauguration of President Barack Obama, who will recite the oath of
office and address the nation a day after formally beginning his second
term.
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The nation's first African-American president will become only the 17th U.S. leader to deliver a second inaugural address before heading the traditional parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
Amid the pomp and ceremony, with heralding trumpets announcing the arrival of dignitaries and red, white and blue bunting festooned throughout central Washington, the event symbolizes American democracy with a peaceful extension of power based on last November's election that returned Obama to the White House.
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"Welcome to this celebration of our great democracy," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, declared in opening the formalities of the nation's 57th presidential inauguration.
Two former presidents, Cabinet officials, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress and other dignitaries filled the temporary facade on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
Not in attendance was Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, the designated "survivor" for the event.
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Satisfying the constitutional obligation to be sworn in on January 20, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden took quiet oaths the day before Monday's public ceremony at the Capitol.
Obama begins the second half of his presidency with the opportunity to make it more historic but facing some of the same challenges that he struggled with in the first four years.
He hosted congressional leaders from both parties for tea on Monday morning, and will take part in a traditional lunch with them after his inauguration speech.
On the Mall, Carlos Arieta and his wife, Sharon, took in the scene after driving from Atlanta to witness history. The former Washington residents said it was their first inauguration in person.
Surprised by the throngs gathered a few hours before the speech on a clear morning with temperatures just above freezing, Arieta said "it's nice to see all the different kinds of people."
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A new CNN/ORC International poll released Monday indicated less excitement this time than four years ago, when nearly two million people crowded the Mall despite frigid weather for Obama's historic first inauguration.
In January 2009, nearly seven in 10 Americans questioned in a CNN survey said they were thrilled or happy that Obama was about to take office. Now, according to the new, that number is down 18 points, to 50%.
Back then, six in 10 saw Obama's inauguration as a celebration by all Americans of democracy in action, with just 39% saying it was a political celebration by the supporters of the winning candidate.
Now, the numbers are nearly reversed, with 62% saying the second inauguration is a celebration by those backing the president, and 35% saying it's a celebration of democracy.
"The thrill is gone,
along with the hope that the start of a new presidential term of office
will bring a divided nation together," said CNN Polling Director Keating
Holland. - CNN