Obama inauguration lifts troubled nation
By STEVEN R. HURST, Associated Press
Jan 20, 2009 10:18 AM CST

Barack Obama strides to the pinnacle of American power Tuesday, taking the oath as the 44th U.S. president and shattering racial barriers as the first black leader of a country gripped by profound economic troubles and at war in two distant lands.

He takes over a nation longing for change after President George W. Bush's eight divisive years in the White House, an era that witnessed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the beginning of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and an economic collapse not seen since the 1930s Great Depression.

Obama's ascendancy marks a milestone once unthinkable in a nation that has struggled with racial issues since its founding and where segregation was practiced in many Southern states until decades ago. It takes place outside the U.S. Capitol, which slaves helped build. Obama will take his oath on the same Bible used at the 1861 inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, whose Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery.

Braving icy temperatures and possible snow flurries, hundreds of thousands of people descended on the heavily guarded capital city Tuesday for the first change of administrations since 2001.

Streets were filling up well before dawn and Washington subway cars were standing-room-only shortly after the trains began running at 4 a.m.

Bush left a note for Obama in the top drawer of his desk in the Oval Office, following tradition.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the theme of the message _ which Bush wrote on Monday _ was similar to what he has said since election night: that Obama is about to begin a "fabulous new chapter" in the United States, and that he wishes him well.

The unfinished business of the Bush administration thrusts an enormous burden onto the new administration, though polls show Americans are confident Obama is on track to succeed. He has cautioned that improvements will take time and that things will get worse before they get better.

Obama and Bush arrived at the U.S. Capitol at 11 a.m., accompanied by their wives, Michelle and Laura, in a heavily armored Cadillac limousines put into service for the ride from the White House to the inauguration ceremony. They were joined by Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Dick Cheney and their wives, Jill and Lynne. Cheney pulled a muscle in his back on Monday and was in a wheelchair.

In a fourth day of celebration, the nation's 56th inauguration day began for Obama and Biden with a traditional morning worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Park from the White House. Bells pealed from the historic church's tower as Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived.

The Obamas waved to bystanders, then entered the church to applause from about 200 people. The choir and congregation began singing the hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past."

The Rev. Luis Leon welcomed the Obamas and said every president since James Madison, the country's fourth, has worshipped at the church at least once, "some of them kicking and screaming."

After the 45-minute service, the Obamas were welcomed to the White House for coffee. The outgoing president and first lady Laura Bush greeted them at the North Portico, according to custom. Michelle Obama handed Laura Bush a square white box wrapped with a red ribbon.

The festivities won't end until well after midnight, with dancing and partying at 10 inaugural balls.

Obama's election electrified millions across the globe with the hope that the new America leader would be more inclusive and open to the needs of people and governments worldwide, more collaborative and more inclined to attack problems with diplomacy than with military power.

Tuesday's ceremony is the culmination of a remarkable ascent for the 47-year-old Democrat, who moves into the Oval Office as the nation's fourth youngest president. In less than five years, he rose from a little-known Illinois state lawmaker to the nation's highest office, persuading Americans that despite his relative inexperience, he could turn around the economy, end the Iraq war and restore U.S. standing in the world.

A gifted, inspirational speaker, Obama has raised the hopes of millions as he outlined a new course for the United States. He has promised to emphasize diplomacy, seek global solutions to climate change, reject torture and shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison.

Obama's presidency puts Democrats firmly in charge of Washington. They will control both chambers of Congress and the White House for the first time since 1994.

Though the new president faces monumental challenges, but should face an extended honeymoon as he takes over from Bush, who leaves Washington as one of the nation's most unpopular and divisive presidents.

The 43rd president's approval ratings, which soared after Sept. 11, plummeted over his handling of the Iraq war, his slow response to Hurricane Katrina and the economic meltdown.

Pre-inauguration polls show Americans believe Obama is on track to succeed and express confidence the new president can turn the economy around. But Obama has cautioned that recovery needs time, and that things will get worse before they get better.

Before noon, Obama will step forward on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to take the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. The 35-word declaration has been uttered by every president since the first, George Washington.

Obama _ son of a Kansas-born white woman and a Kenyan born black father _ decided to use his full name _ Barack Hussein Obama _ for the swearing-in.

To the dismay of liberals, Obama invited conservative evangelical pastor and gay marriage opponent Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation.

Obama's aides said his inaugural address would be short _ under 20 minutes _ and stress the twin themes of responsibility and accountability.

More than 10,000 people from all 50 states _ including bands and military units _ were assembled to follow Obama and Biden from the Capitol along the 1.5 mile (2.4-kilometer) inaugural parade route down Pennsylvania Ave., concluding at a bulletproof reviewing stand in front of the White House.

The inauguration was expected to draw up to 2 million people. Security was unprecedented as Washington braced for logistical headaches with major streets and bridges into the capital closed.

About a dozen members of Obama's Cabinet and top appointees were ready for Senate confirmation Tuesday, provided no objection was raised. Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama's chief rival in the Democratic primary elections, was to have been among that group, but a Senate vote on her appointment was delayed until Wednesday morning on the objection of Republican John Cornyn of Texas. She was expected to be approved in a roll call vote.

Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner's confirmation has been delayed because of his disclosure that he had failed to pay some taxes.

On Wednesday, his first working day in office, Obama is expected to redeem his campaign promise to begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq under a 16-month timetable. Aides said he would summon the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Oval Office and order that the pullout commence. He will also assemble his economic team to start work on reversing the economic slide.