In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama says enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. But he said the U.S. will defend itself through 'strengths of arms and rule of law.' (Jan. 21)
President Barack Obama urged Americans today to reject political "absolutism" and partisan rancor as he kicked off his second term with a call for national unity, setting a pragmatic tone for the daunting challenges he faces over the next four years.
Obama's ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol was filled with traditional pomp and pageantry, but it was a scaled-back inauguration compared to the historic start of his presidency in 2009 when he swept into office on a mantle of hope and change as America's first black president
With second-term expectations tempered by lingering economic weakness and the political realities of a divided Washington, Obama acknowledged the difficult road ahead even as he sought to build momentum from his decisive November re-election victory.
"We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate," Obama said as he stood in the wintry cold atop a giant makeshift platform on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall.
Looking out on a sea of flags, he spoke to a crowd of up to 700,000 people, less than half the record 1.8 million who assembled four years ago.
SPEECH TOUCHES ON GAY RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE
"Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time -- but it does require us to act in our time," Obama said, shortly after taking the oath from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
For the first time ever, an inaugural address mentioned the rights of gay Americans, as Obama declared that America’s "journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law -- for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well."
The president also insisted on the need to "respond to the threat of climate change," a subject he largely avoided after a stinging loss in Congress early in his first term.
"Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms," he said.
"The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it.
"That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God."
Obama wove those specific policy pledges, along with brief reminders of his proposals for gun control and immigration reform, into a text that, overall, amounted to a strong reaffirmation of the core of liberal, Democratic politics and its belief in the positive role that government can play in the nation’s life.
In a nod to those who do not share that outlook, he noted that Americans "have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone."
But, he said, "preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action."
Obama's swearing-in fell on the same day as the national holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. -- and the president embraced the symbolism.
He took the oath with his hand on two Bibles: One from President Abraham Lincoln, who ended slavery, and the other from King. Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil rights figure Medgar Evers, was given the honor of delivering the invocation at the ceremony.
DURBIN: PRIVATE PARTIES AND (MAYBE) BUDDY GUY
From dawn until dusk, Sen. Dick Durbin is scheduled to be among the constant companions of President Barack Obama, whom he joined starting with an early-morning church service near the White House.
After the swearing-in, Durbin, the No. 2 official at the Senate, said he found Obama's inaugural speech "beautiful."
"I thought he president really captured what the election was about, what the people were saying, we needed to come together -- 'We the People' and to really address the issues that are challenging our nation," said Durbin, a fellow Democrat.
After the inauguration speech, Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sat down as guests of honor at a traditional luncheon at the Capitol. Durbin was there, along with about other 200 high-level officials, including Supreme Court justices, Cabinet officials and congressional leaders.
At 9 o'clock tonight local time, Durbin said, he'll return to the White House to join the Obamas and a select group of friends, family and supporters at an exclusive celebration.
He indicated the timetable was fluid, since a similar party following the balls in 2009 didn't get going until about 11:30 p.m.
Will he make Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's late-night blues party with guitarist Buddy Guy? That runs from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m. "Hope to stay awake long enough," the senator said.
Durbin, 69, a 30-year veteran of Congress, is up for re-election in 2014. He was an early supporter of Obama leading up to his 2008 run, when Democrats had to choose between candidates Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
CHICAGOANS IN D.C. FEEL 'VESTED IN HIS SUCCESS'
Spencer Gould and his wife, Ardenia, of Chicago, arrived at the Capitol early enough to get seats on the front row of their section, directly center of where the president will take the oath of office.
For about a minute, Gould said, he considered staying at home in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, but quickly realized that he could be no place else but here.
"We have worked on all of his campaigns," said Gould, 38. "We go back to when people couldn’t pronounce his name. It has been such a great experience to watch him go from someone no one knew to a world leader."
Four years ago, he said, he wanted to be part of the historical moment. This time, he came to show his support.
His wife, Ardenia, 37, said this time seems more subdued, compared to the electrifying experience of 2008.
"I feel vested in his success," said Ardenia Gould, who started out working on his senate campaign.
In his next term, she said, she would like to see the president use his power to push his policies through.
"I want to see him flex his political muscle and move this country in the direction it needs to go, regardless of what happens on the other side of the aisle." she said. "Now is the time to play hard ball."
She said she supports the president’s push for gun control and she does not want him to back down from that.
"Our kids are under siege, so I hope he can do something about gun control," she said. "That and keeping us from falling off the fiscal cliff are my two biggest concerns."
Her husband said he would like to see the president address trade issues so that more America-made products are available to consumers.
"I want to support our economy but it’s very hard to find products made in America," he said. "I’d love to see more of those on the shelves."
CROWD MAKES LONG DRIVES, BRAVES THE COLD
Hundreds of thousands congregated on the National Mall on Monday, many bundled in gloves and scarves against the cold. Some stopped in front of street vendors to buy buttons with President Obama’s face on them, inaugural coffee mugs or wool hats with Obama spelled in glass beads.
Some had driven all night Sunday to make it to the ceremony by this morning.
FIRST FAMILY'S FASHION CLOSELY WATCHED BY SOME
The American fashion industry held its breath on Inauguration Day for a series of Big Reveals.
Word came within minutes that the navy check coat and dress Michelle Obama wore to the morning prayer service at St. John's church was by American designer Thom Browne, to which she added a belt for the ceremonial swearing-in. Her shoes and accessories were J.Crew. Her necklace was by Cathy Waterman.Former Obama pastor in town
FORMER PASTOR WRIGHT OFFERS ADVICE
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the president's former Chicago pastor whose sermons touched off a firestorm in the 2008 political campaign, urged today that Barack Obama heed the words of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and transform the country into the world's "No. 1 purveyor of peace."
Wright, in the capital today but skipping the inauguration, recalled a speech by King during the Vietnam war, when the civil rights leader denounced the U.S. as "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world."
Tribune reporters Dahleen Glanton, Katherine Skiba, Reuters and the Los Angeles Times contributed.
