Obama Rebukes Bush, Assures World in Speech

Continuing a tradition begun by Reagan, Bush pens encouragement to his successor

(AP) - Continuing a White House ritual begun by Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush left a note in the Oval Office for President-elect Barack Obama, wishing him well as he takes the reins of the executive branch. The White House declined to provide specific details of the message, saying only that Bush wrote it yesterday and left it in the top drawer of his desk. More»

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama’s first speech as president was not “a joyous audacious document, not a call to arms,” writes Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal, “but a reasoned statement by a Young Sobersides.” That’s not a criticism: Moderate and moderated, Obama’s address said exactly what it needed to. It was not “especially moving or rousing,” but “it was worthy, had weight, and was adult.” More»

New president's speech emphasized how a bright future comes from old traditions

(NEWSER) - A conservative might have expected President Obama’s inaugural address to feature soaring language masking hackneyed ideas. Funny thing, writes Michael Gerson in the Washington Post: It was just the opposite. "It is simply mysterious how such tired language could sound appropriate to the ear of Obama the writer,” but the speech’s substance “shows deep understanding of America, which remains moral to its core.” 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»

President alludes to slavery, points to diversity as a strength

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama made only subtle reference to his race in today’s inaugural address, but it came up again and again throughout the 18-minute address. He said that America owed its prosperity to “the makers of things,” who “endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth,” and that the election of a black man was a sign of the country’s bedrock values. More»