Bush Leaves Customary Oval Office Note for Obama

Rejects policies, advocates diplomacy, warns enemies

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama offered a clear rebuke of George Bush's policies and signaled a sharp break with his predecessor's strategy abroad in his inaugural address today. “We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals,” the new president said, referring obviously to torture of detainees and violation of Americans' civil rights in the name of the war on terror. “Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.” More»

Inaugural address may hint at a more respectful administration

(NEWSER) - All presidents swear to uphold the Constitution when they take the oath of office, but John Nichols is pleased that Obama went further than that in his inaugural address today, he writes for the Nation. Invoking Ben Franklin, Obama rejected “as false the choice between our safety and ideals,” adding that generations of Americans have shed blood to protect "the rule of law and the rights of man." Those ideals won't be sacrificed "for expediency," he vowed, setting a tone of Constitutional respect that has been sorely missing for the last 8 years. More»

(NEWSER) - "All are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness," declared the 44th president of the United States in his first inaugural address. Invoking the memories of slaves, soldiers and the generations of Americans who toiled before him, the nation's first black president delivered the most anticipated speech in history in front of 2 million cheering Americans. More»

'My hope for him is my hope for the country,' she says

(NEWSER) - Today’s inauguration of Barack Obama marks an important milestone in an African-American struggle that lasted more than 200 years—and Ella Mae Johnson isn’t going to miss it, NPR reports. After all, she’s been around for nearly half of that struggle. The 105-year-old Cleveland resident will brave hours of cold to see the first black man to assume the presidency. More»

DC's mood lightens as thousands crowd the Mall for inauguration

(NEWSER) - A tell-your-grandchildren moment is happening in DC right now, reports CNN. Barack and Michelle Obama went from church to the White House to meet George and Laura Bush; then they’re on to the Capitol. Hundreds of thousands are gathered, with up to 2 million expected. One local says Washington’s typical cynicism is evaporating: “People are walking lighter, standing taller, and are reaching out to one another.” More»