Obama Takes Train Ride To History

President-Elect Retraces Lincoln's Route From Philadelphia To Washington; Next Stop: Inauguration

(CBS/AP)  Barack Obama arrived in Washington at the end of a whistle-stop train trip along the frigid mid-Atlantic seaboard that tracked Abraham Lincoln's historic route and brought the president-elect a step closer to inauguration.

Celebratory crowds braved subfreezing weather to salute Obama along his journey from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

He will take the oath of office in three days, succeeding President George W. Bush.

At the start, Obama promised to bring the country "a new Declaration of Independence" - free from small thinking, prejudice and bigotry.

The trip included a stop in Delaware to pick up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and a stop in Baltimore for a speech in which he pleaded "let us seek together a better life in our time."

"It's not every day you get to do your daily commute with the next president of the United States," said Biden, who commuted to Washington by train for 36 years. He added, "Folks this is more than an ordinary train ride. This is a new beginning."

Obama invoked a grand heritage of American giants as he appealed "not to our easy instincts but to our better angels," an echo of Lincoln's first inaugural address. He took note of the enormous challenges that lie ahead and promised to act with "fierce urgency," a phrase often used by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The president-elect's triumphant day - heralded along the 137-mile rail route - was the kickoff to inaugural events leading to Obama's swearing-in Tuesday as the first black U.S. president.

Riding a vintage railcar on his whistle-stop trip, Obama carried with him the hopes of a nation weary of war, frightened of recession and searching for better days.

Biden spoke for many when he said he was excitedly looking forward to Tuesday's inaugural. Then, sobered by the challenges of governing, Biden added: "I think it's Wednesday we need to be ready."

Obama was smiling and confident throughout the day and across the miles, reaching at each stop for history's lessons. In Philadelphia, he noted the risks taken by the men who declared America independent from Britain. In Wilmington, he applauded the state that first ratified the Constitution. And in Baltimore, he hailed the troops at Fort McHenry who beat back the British navy and inspired the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

But Obama used the trip not only for celebration, but also to warn Americans about the severity and difficulty of the challenges ahead, reports CBS News correspondent Chip Reid

"Only a handful of times in our history has a generation been confronted with challenges so vast," Obama said.

He cited the faltering economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - "one that needs to be ended responsibly, one that needs to be waged wisely" - the threat of global warming and U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

He told the crowd in Philadelphia that the same idealism displayed by the nation's founders was needed to tackle the difficulties of today.

"We recognize that such enormous challenges will not be solved quickly," Obama said. "There will be false starts and setbacks, frustrations and disappointments. And we will be called to show patience even as we act with fierce urgency."

Obama advisors said that today's speeches foreshadow the speech he will give on Tuesday at his inauguration, reports Reid. Tuesday's speech will likely echo the theme that throughout American history, the American people have overcome extraordinary challenges - and that if they come together, they can do it again.

In Washington, a top adviser to Obama said Saturday that the soon-to-be president will convene a meeting of high-ranking military officers to discuss the Iraq war and other issues on his first full day in office.

The adviser said Wednesday's meeting will involve the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military commanders and aides. The adviser would speak only on condition of anonymity because the meeting has not been formally announced.

Obama's blue rail car was tacked onto the back of a 10-car Amtrak train filled with hundreds of guests, reporters and staff for the ride to Washington.

CBS News correspondent Steve Kathan, traveling on the Inaugural train, reports that dozens of invited guests of the Obama family joined on the trip. Forty-one of the guests were ordinary Americans that Obama and Biden had met during the couse of the presidential campaign.

After he left their car, many of those openly wept with what they described as joy, Reid reports.

(Read more about Dover, Del. schoolteacher and anti-domestic violence advocate Quincy Lucas, one of those 41 invited passengers.)

Along the journey, Obama and his wife, Michelle, appeared on the back balcony periodically to wave to shivering crowds bundled up in blankets and parkas who had gathered by the dozens, the hundreds and more along the route.
One held a sign that read, "Happy Birthday Michelle," taking note of the future first lady's 45th birthday. Another, in Delaware, waved a placard that said, "We came from Massachusetts 2 C U."

The well-wishers hoped not just for a glimpse of the 44th president-in-waiting but for a cameo role in history.

Joan Schiff, 47, a small business owner who campaigned for Obama, turned out for his departure from Philadelphia.

"At some point, you look up and think, 'I am in a moment,"' she said.

Carolyn Tyson, 55, came from Medford, New Jersey, to catch Obama's stop in Wilmington, Delaware.

"It's unreal, it's surreal," she said of Obama's election. Tyson, who is black, said she never thought she'd see a president of color.

The celebratory air was tempered, however, by the tumult of the times, and Obama was quick to acknowledge them.

While talking about the future, Obama reflected on the past, echoing the words of the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln and President John F. Kennedy. He cited the founding fathers who risked everything with no assurance of success in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776:

"They were willing to put all they were and all they had on the line - their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor - for a set of ideals that continue to light the world: That we are equal. That our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come not from our laws, but from our maker. And that a government of, by, and for the people can endure."

Obama disembarked briefly in Baltimore to address a frozen-but-hearty crowd of more than 40,000, echoing his earlier remarks and alluding to the patriots who defended nearby Fort McHenry against the British and inspired the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"We are here today not simply to pay tribute to those patriots who founded our nation in Philadelphia or defended it in Baltimore, but to take up the cause for which they gave so much," he said.

A New Declaration Of Independence

In his speech in Philadelphia, Obama cited Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and the founding fathers.

"Starting now, let's take up in our own lives the work of perfecting our union," he said at the historic 30th Street train station. "Let's build a government that is responsible to the people and accept our own responsibilities as citizens to hold our government accountable. ... Let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change America, but the beginning and the hope for the future."

While talking about the future, Mr. Obama reflected on the past, echoing the words of the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln and President John F. Kennedy. He cited the founding fathers who risked all without assurance of success in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776.

"They were willing to put all they were and all they had on the line - their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor - for a set of ideals that continue to light the world: That we are equal. That our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come not from our laws, but from our maker. And that a government of, by, and for the people can endure."

It was a momentous day for the Obamas. And for Michelle Obama, it was also time to celebrate her 45th birthday.

The president-elect's triumphant day - a time to be heralded by cheering throngs along the 137-mile rail route - was starting in Philadelphia with a sober discussion of the country's future with 41 people he met during his long quest for the White House.

Temperatures were in the single digits in Philadelphia, but the energy in the room warmed the crowd.

"Hello Philadelphia!" Mr. Obama shouted to cheers.

At the outset, he told a crowd gathered in a flag-draped room that the same perseverance and idealism displayed by the nation's founders are needed to tackle the difficulties of today.

"We recognize that such enormous challenges will not be solved quickly," Mr. Obama said. "There will be false starts and setbacks, frustrations and disappointments. And we will be called to show patience even as we act with fierce urgency."

He cited the faltering economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan "one that needs to be ended responsibly, one that needs to be waged wisely" - the threat of global warming and U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

"We are here today not simply to pay tribute to our first patriots but to take up the work that they began," he said. "The trials we face are very different now, but severe in their own right. Only a handful of times in our history has a generation been confronted with challenges so vast."

Preparing to board the train, Mr. Obama said that "what's required is a new declaration of independence - from ideology and small thinking."

Picking Up His VP

The president-elect was traveling from Philadelphia to Wilmington, Del., where he was picking up Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and then Baltimore before arriving at Washington's Union Station after nightfall.

Mr. Obama paid tribute to Biden, who has commuted by Amtrak from Delaware to Congress for several years. He told a cheering crowd that getting things right for the country is the reason he asked Biden "to take one more ride to Washington."

Biden reflected on the crowd and the cold: "A deeper chill of fear and worry and concern [has] gripped the nation. How could it be otherwise? Millions of Americans have been knocked down. Our economy is struggling. We are a nation in a war. Sometimes, just sometimes it's hard to believe that we will see the spring again. But I tell you, spring is on the way with this new administration."

At his Wilmington stop, Mr. Obama plunged into the crowd and greeted the people. He used his talk to voice the same refrain of recent days: the country should not get discouraged because of its dire economic straits.

Although his path tracked Lincoln's and took on the same overtone of high security, it wasn't the journey of virtual secrecy that the 16th president-elect took so long ago on the eve of the Civil War. Lincoln was smuggled under cover of darkness from one train station to another to avoid a feared assassination attempt.

[sashimi61]

Congratulations to our nation%u2019s first African-American President. All Hail the Chief!

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/60058/Barack-Obama-Inauguration-Oath

[lightnin001]

Can we pass a law right now to make Obama President for Life? Can''t we get the Pope to make him a saint? Isn''t it possible that he is the REAL Messiah? He''s bigger than Jesus! Yes, he can!!

People, this was supposed to be an obvious satire! Lightnin!

[cdegolier]

I guess the economy must not be that bad considering Obama has spent 150 million on his little party. If this is how he is going to be a record breaking president I hate to see what is next. Nice how he thinks of us little guys, we are paying the bill.

[lightnin001]

Can we pass a law right now to make Obama President for Life? Can''t we get the Pope to make him a saint? Isn''t it possible that he is the REAL Messiah? He''s bigger than Jesus! Yes, he can!!

[tripster101]

It was nice to watch the clip of Obama%u2019s train ride. Now, I wonder, if Bush rode out of Washington on a rail, which he should, Ha Ha I have to wonder how many people would be waving at him on his way to Texas.

[caldwellptr]

While it certainly is interesting to read how black or how white Obama is in modern terms, I think that historically in the South you could not be more than 1/8 black to enjoy freedom from slavery, and then later Jim Crow laws. So while the debate here goes on, there is no requirement for the Presidency of the United States that requires that person to be over a certain percentage white, or black for that matter.

And yes, Obama is the first black President of the United States.

[gaye5]

mr02258, you are dead right, why do they try to fool us that a black has become president..
I am thrilled that colour has not made any difference to his position but to call him black is rediculous as it would be to call him white.

Mr. Obama is 50% Caucasian, that from his mother. What those who want Mr. Obama to write history by becoming %u201CAmerica%u2019s first African-American president%u201D ignore is that his father was ethnically Arabic, with only 1 relative ethnically African Negro %u2014 a maternal great-grandparent (Sen. Obama%u2019s great-great grandparent, thus the 6.25% ethnic contribution to the senator%u2019s ethnic composition).

Look at his name, his father%u2019s name, and the names of all his ancestors on his father%u2019s side. They are all Arabic.


His father is an Arab who was born in Kenya and his ancestors are from Arab slave traders. His mother was Caucasian and born in Kansas.

[sirmarion-2009]

Who paid for this Train ride anyway? How come the House stimulis package is full of PORK?Obama promised NO PORK,but the bill is full of it. Nice way to start a Term on LIES.

[fahren451]

Go Obama-anything other than what has happend over the past 8 years is better than than the unemployement rate, crime rate, and hell people are going through in the US right now. We have patience and realize nothing will happen on day one, but he is right-if we all work together (not rely on govt only, rather start in the homes with morals and ethics-THIS IS THE KEY) then we have hope for the country.

Posted by dsnj1 at 12:20 PM : Jan 18, 2009

A goldfish in a bowl of water in the oval office could do better than Bush. I do not see what the Reich Wing conservatives are all upset about. That is unless they are ok with the destruction of Democracy.

[fahren451]

Fahren... I do not have the list in front of me. I can tell you that a Remington Model 1100 shotgun was on the list.

Posted by mr02258 at 12:04 PM : Jan 18, 2009

Would that not have to do with the fact that it is an autoloader? You must be a spray and pray hunter, and no I do not care that the gun is 40 years old, it is still an autoloader.

[dsnj1-2009]

Go Obama! The best thing that can happen to our country right now-If you have not noticed, it started with US, now the rest of the world is also in recession. Bush did not even have a plan----get real people

[dsnj1-2009]

Go Obama-anything other than what has happend over the past 8 years is better than than the unemployement rate, crime rate, and hell people are going through in the US right now. We have patience and realize nothing will happen on day one, but he is right-if we all work together (not rely on govt only, rather start in the homes with morals and ethics-THIS IS THE KEY) then we have hope for the country.

[fahren451]

Joe Biden " I''''m the guy who originally wrote the assault weapons ban," he bragged at a debate last year. Many of these were hunting Rifles.

Posted by mr02258 at 11:51 AM : Jan 18, 2009

I would love to read the list, find it for me. Because an assault rifle to hunt a deer is just laughable. I always admired my buddy for hunting with a bow, I have little respect for those who need a high powered scope from the "safety" of a mile away to shoot a deer. And heaven forbid if the Great White hunter can not get the deer in one shot with scope on the deers heart. He had better grab the Mack 10 and start spraying.

[fahren451]

Obama , wants to reinstate President Clinton''''s semi-auto ban---and add hundreds of firearms to the list to be ban. First step to disarming the people...

Posted by mr02258 at 11:48 AM : Jan 18, 2009

No mention of Bush bring in 20,000 troops to defend the "Fatherland" in direct contradiction to the Posse Comitatus Act?

You should fear your Party as much as the opposition.

What say you to shedding yourself of Party affiliation?

[fahren451]

Fahren...Obama was bought and paid for. He will do as he is told. I would have to go back and see, around 750 million dollars.

Posted by mr02258 at 11:35 AM : Jan 18, 2009

There you go again making claims without even a link to a Reich Wing website for me to read.

Change your name to mr0neliner.

[fahren451]

The media has let us down. WE THE PEOPLE "MUST" find a way to inform all the people of the truth. If not , we will fall, with the lies...

Posted by mr02258 at 11:25 AM : Jan 18, 2009

Another one liner from mr0neliner. Do you have anything to back up your claims?

[fahren451]

I don''''t care who or what he is. He was right.

Posted by mr02258 at 11:02 AM : Jan 18, 2009

I have seen very little substance in your posts. What is it that makes you think that his approval rating will drop so dramatically? You are the one making claims but you are very light on facts or numbers.

[fahren451]

Remember this. The economy was fine until 2007 ,when the democrats got their foot in the door. Lets see what happens, now that the door is open.

Posted by mr02258 at 11:01 AM : Jan 18, 2009

A statement like this could only come from someone who have very limited understanding of economics.

[fahren451]

How profoundly sad that there are those who would rather see the new president fail than to see their country succeed.

Posted by jmcgilvray at 10:40 AM : Jan 18, 2009

It is to know the heart of a turncoat and a coward. And an ideologue who hasnt the intelligence to question their own dogma.

[fahren451]

And you must believe in the tooth fairy also...Maybe O''''''''bungler should tell you the tooth fairy story...I''''''''ll bet you''''''''re dumb enough to believe it.

Posted by TexHillGirl at 09:53 AM : Jan 18, 2009

Ok, I will repeat it ,but make my response in the form of list so your limited frontal lobe capacity can understand.

1) What do the poor have to do with the 60 percent plus bank loans that were not out of Fanney and Freddie?
2) what do the poor have to do with Default Credit Swaps (insurance on mortgages) that the tune of 55 trillion in unknown risk?
3) What do the poor have to do with Banks that were not "forced" by liberal to throw out sane lending practices?
4) What do the poor have to do with Structured Investment Vehicles and bundling of loans to hide risk?
5) What do the poor have to do with the 720 million dollar a day Iraq invasion that has setup Iraq to become a Shia styled theocracy?

Address my points; otherwise you are nothing except a drooling troll whose comments should be ignored.

Posted by Fahren451 at 10:21 AM : Jan 18, 2009

Bump for the short attention span hillbilly.