Star-Studded Show Launches Inauguration

After Memorials And Prayer, Obama Joins Thousands On National Mall For Pre-Inauguration Concert

(CBS/AP)  Two days from the White House, President-elect Barack Obama joined a vast throng Sunday at a joyous pre-inauguration celebration staged among marble monuments to past heroes. "Anything is possible in America," declared the man who will confront economic crisis and two wars when he takes office.

"Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead, I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure - that it will prevail, that the dream of our founders will live on in our time," the president-elect said at the conclusion of a musical extravaganza that featured U2, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and a host of other stars.

"Never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard," he said. "I ask you to help me reveal that character once more, and together, we can carry forward as one nation, and one people, the legacy of our forefathers that we celebrate today." (Read all of Obama's remarks.)

Obama and his family held the seats of honor at the event, and a crowd of tens of thousands spilled from the base of the Lincoln Memorial toward the Washington Monument several blocks away in the cold, gray afternoon of mid-January.

It was the high point of a full day of pre-inaugural events that included a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and a morning church service where children recalled the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama's motorcade drew ever-larger crowds as the day wore on and he and his wife, Michelle, and their children Sasha and Malia crisscrossed the city.

"Just another typical Sunday," deadpanned the Rev. Derrick Harkins, pastor at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, where the soon-to-be first family prayed.

Of course it was anything but - a run-up, in fact, to the first inauguration of an African-American president in a nation founded by slave-owners.

Obama's aides said he was readying an inaugural address that would stress twin themes of responsibility and accountability, and they predicted he would devote his first week in office to economic recovery, setting in motion a 16-month troop withdrawal from Iraq and decreeing a code of ethics for his administration.

With the economy weak and growing weaker, banks in trouble and joblessness rising, Obama's team was careful to warn against any expectation that he would be a miracle worker once in office. "I think it's fair to say that it's going to take not months but years to really turn this around," said David Axelrod, a political strategist expected to have White House space mere paces from the Oval Office.

Obama said as much in his own brief remarks. "I won't pretend that meeting any one of these challenges will be easy. It will take more than a month or a year, and it will likely take many," he said.

He stood alone at the base of the steps before the statue of a seated Lincoln looking out at a crowd every bit as large as the one King addressed a generation earlier in his "I have a dream" speech that was a defining moment of the civil rights era.

The connection to King's speech was not lost on many in the crowd.

"I don't want to miss this moment in history," Chicago native Dorothy Carpenter, 53, told CBSNews.com's Stephen Smith. "When King was here, I was too young."

"My grandmother told me stories about things African Americans couldn't do," said her 35-year-old daughter Catina Thomas. "I feel like I am standing here for her."

An even larger audience is forecast for the inauguration outside the Capitol on Tuesday, with estimates running into the millions. Agencies in charge of logistics and security said they would enforce a ban on personal auto traffic across the Potomac River bridges from Virginia into Washington and seal off a large portion of the downtown area. Access to buildings along the Inaugural parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue was limited to those who gained Secret Service approval in advance.

Obama's day began at the Tomb of he Unknowns at Arlington National cemetery, where he and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden laid a wreath in memory of fallen heroes. The two men placed their hands over their hearts as a uniformed bugler played taps in a somber opening to a festive day.

The scene was quite different at the church a few miles away, where the congregation erupted in applause when Obama and his family walked to their seats.

"Understand that God has prepared you, and God has placed you, and God will not forsake you," Harkins told the incoming president.

Children sang and spoke selected readings that recalled King, killed in 1968.

"Martin Luther King walked so that Barack Obama could run," said one boy. "Barack Obama ran so that all children could fly," added another, standing a few feet away from the first African-American ever elected president.

At the Lincoln Memorial a few hours later, King's son, Martin Luther King III, had a brief speaking role.

For the most part, the program was a festival of music, the songs chosen to make their points. Mary J. Blige sang, "Lean on Me," Springsteen performed "The Rising," and Obama mouthed the words as 89-year-old Pete Seeger pitched in with "This Land is Your Land."

Many in the crowd sang along with Beyonce's soulful finale, "America the Beautiful."

In film clips at earlier moments, Obama was cast as heir to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and even Lincoln, who the president-elect said was "the man who in so many ways made this day possible."

As Obama moved around town in a pre-inaugural motorcade, his aides blanketed Sunday's interview programs.

With the nation facing the most difficult economic crisis since the Great Depression, they all agreed that recovery was the principal challenge facing the new president.

"What's important ... is ensuring that those that have had the short end of the stick for the last few years - make sure that they get the help that they need, that this administration begins to create the jobs and give some financial stability to families so that they can feel hopeful about going forward," said Robert Gibbs, who will serve as Obama's White House press secretary.

Appearing on CBS' Face The Nation, Lawrence Summers, a top economic adviser to the incoming president, said job creation was a major goal of Mr. Obama's plans. "Three million, 4 million jobs is going to make a very big difference," he said. "It all depends on psychology, but we are going to be leaning forward throughout this administration. The president's made it clear that our errors are not going to be of standing back." (Read more from Face The Nation.)

The Democratic-controlled Congress has already made a quick start on the president's recovery program, clearing the way for use of the second $350 billion for the financial industry bailout created last fall, and launching an $825 billion stimulus measure. Democratic leaders have pledged to have the legislation ready for Obama's signature by mid-February.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also endorsed Obama's call for a summit meeting to begin controlling spending on huge government benefit programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. She said even benefit cuts should be included as an option for discussion. "You put everything on the table. The only thing we didn't want to put on the table is eliminating" the programs, she added.

The Senate appears ready to confirm several of Obama's Cabinet appointees as soon as he signs the formal nomination paperwork on Tuesday, although not everything has been smooth for Obama and his transition team.

Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner's confirmation has been delayed for at least a few days because of his disclosure that he had failed to pay some federal taxes earlier in the decade. Bill Richardson withdrew as Obama's commerce secretary choice because of a grand jury investigation in New Mexico, where he is governor, and Obama himself was tripped up by controversy surrounding the appointment of his successor in the Senate.

Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., was sworn in Thursday - and swiftly voted with Obama to release the bailout funds. The president-elect and Senate Democrats had initially balked at allowing him to take the seat, saying his appointment was tainted because Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces criminal charges that he sought something in return for appointing Obama's successor.

Incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said in a televised interview that in his conversations with the governor, Blagojevich did not seek anything improper.

Pelosi and Gibbs appeared on Fox, Axelrod on ABC and Emanuel on NBC.

[mihann]

What a circus! I mean, what a show! Hollywood paid to get Obama in and now, they''re cashin'' in on the inauguration. Hollywood cashes in and we lose.

[lightnin001]

The least experienced, least qualified, least accomplished President-elect in history, with racist, anti-American, abortion extremist, and criminal associates, will be sworn in with the Bible of the greatest President this country ever had. This is truly an Obamanation and a desecration, a violation of the posessions of the dead. Obamanation is a term that will live for a hundred years or more. Just wanted to take a moment to remind everybody that the President-elect couldn''t have gotten a government job that required a security clearance otherwise because of some of his closest long-term associates. Yeah, I know, a lot of people don''''t care

[mihann]

Read the comments posted here by the gullible liberals. They don''t realize Barack is going to tax away all their freedoms and make us weak militarily in the face of the world. Obviously, terrorists see this too. A new Jimmy Carter is not going to help us now. I fear the worst is coming for America.

[libra217]

I am deeply disappointed that this incredible national event was not aired on a regular station, rather than HBO.

Posted by kushka53 at 10:01 AM : Jan 19, 2009

No need to feel "dienfranchised". You can watch the show for free on www.HBO.com

Anyone without a computer can use one at a public library.

[matrixrx2003]

TexHillHole, TexHillGirl, Rowdydfw, Mudrose

Tuesday is your Day !

[matrixrx2003]

Last DAY of the Bushie Administration, Thank GOD !

22% Approval Rating and going down as the Worst President in US History.

GOOD
RIDANCE !

[element51]

BagdadsHere9....Why are you so concerned about politics here in America? You claim to be from Brazil so why are you so excited? It appears to me that you are just an ignorant troll who gets off by posting insulting remarks about Obama. And just so you''ll know, we don''t have KINGS in America, we have a president who is elected by the people. You might want to take notes here. I suggest to you that you concern yourself with affairs in your country and leave our affairs to us.

[element51]

dongo1955.....Typical of those who must listen to Limbaugh so they''ll know what to think, you are grossly misinformed. The cost of the inaugration is not being paid for by tax dollars, it is being paid for by private donations. Also, the cost of this event is about the same as was the cost of the Bush inaugration. Obama has had nothing to do with the second half of the bailout. In fact, he has called for extreme accountibility for any money released in the future. By all means, you continue to listen to a drug addicted gas bag who will guide you in your journey the next four years. Continue to carry all that hatred around with you and sooner or later it will destroy you. You be sure to continue to look for a dark and dismal future instead of a bright future that most Americans are looking for. I truly feel sorry for you. Life must be difficult for you.

[kushka53]

I am deeply disappointed that this incredible national event was not aired on a regular station, rather than HBO. In order to watch it on HBO you needed either a computer or a cable box. Cable boxes are not free-there is a monthly fee--and are only needed for "premium service," and a low income family and the elderly would neither have the box nor a computer! But they would have a tv with access to the regular channels, so the poor and the elderly have been disenfranchised, again...SHAME on whoever approved this setup!

[mrzerato]

Obama reminds us of what''''''''s good about America!

Posted by jh6379again

Personally, it reminds me of what is stupid and gullible about America.

Posted by fahr451

The stupid and gullible phase of the American people was in 2000 and 2004

[sandy19731]

This was an incredibly well-scripted show. I was amazed at the star studded affair that went off without a flaw or even a pause.
If you have not seen it, I believe HBO will be re-showing it.
Truly remarkable.

[fahren451]

why is it such a big deal when Palin got $250k of cloths and Obama is getting 170 million for this show?

Posted by specialty8 at 08:20 AM : Jan 19, 2009

She supposedly represented 100 years of fiscal Conservative economic genius.

The Inauguration was payed for with donations, to preempt the Reich Wing Echo Chamber Smear.

[specialty8]

why is it such a big deal when Palin got $250k of cloths and Obama is getting 170 million for this show?

[dumdnc]

irmvet-will the chosen one''s white half be permitted to take part in the coronation tomorrow??
You know, only the left holds onto hate. That is one of the things your side does best, that and race baiting and class envy.
This coronation is costing millions and your side doesn''t seem to care. Funny how that double standard is always there.
You don''t sound quite as hateful in your posts. Must be taking your meds.

[irmcvet971]

Thats funny cause I havent felt any bite or pain yet.

Posted by BagdadsHere9 at 05:26 AM : Jan 19, 2009

Oh come ON!! ROFLMAO Who do you think YOU are kidding! When this Bright Young BLACK Man takes the Oath tomorrow it will be eating you alive.

[irmcvet971]

Whats your dear old congressional rating right now. Led by you democrats.


Lower than Bush

Congress also runs this country just as equal as bush

Posted by truthMatter at 03:28 AM : Jan 19, 2009


I guess you have to hang on to something when YOUR leader has a 22% Approval and your party hasn''t ONE member in the house of representatives from the NORTHEAST. Didn''t YOU notice the results of the ELECTION! I do believe the AMERICAN PEOPLE changed MORE than the President. THEY radically changed both the Congress and Senate. NOW the ONLY thing left in either branch that is Republican for the most part are Southern Fascist. NOW that is CHANGE we can LIVE with. Sieg Heil Y''all.

[sandy19731]

truthMatter....I love this country too. All through the last 8 years I kept hoping that Bush would do good for the country but he didn''''t. Still I didn''''t hate him. Hate is one of the most powerful things on the face of the earth. It is poison and he who carries it will eventually be destroyed by it. Hate and the things it causes are truly evil and I want no part of it. I''''m sure you feel the same way. So you see, even though we may not agree on many things, there is one thing that we can come together about. I have faith that Obama will be a good president. Whether he becomes a great president...time will tell. Let''''s just hope that he can get us back on track and all Americans, not just the wealthy, can share in his success.
Posted by Element51 at 04:02 AM : Jan 19, 2009

You, Sir or Madam. are what is going to save this country. Thank you.

[sandy19731]

HE KING OBAMBAM cant let us think its just a community organizer who"s coming on that train.

THE KING OBAMBAM must fool us to believe its ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE KING OBAMBAM cant let us think its just an insignificant unexperienced liar who"s in that stage.
THE KING OBAMBAM needs Beyonce,Bruce Springsteen to help improve his image.
Posted by BagdadsHere9 at 05:11 AM : Jan 19, 2009

Your hate is eating you alive.

[shameonbush]

Truthmatter, perhaps one reason why everyone wants to praise Obama before he even has a chance to prove his worth is because for the last eight years our country has been traumatized, lied to, scammed and pushed aside by the Bush regime. At this point, if Obama sat in the corner of his office in the White House for the next four years, and did nothing but crochet sweaters, it would still be better than the last eight years of the biggest nightmare that has ever hit our country, BUSH/CHENEY. I don''t care if Obama sleeps till 3:00 in the afternoon and practises Zen for the rest of the day, he would still be less damaging than the absolute horror that has shook our country for the last eight years, BUSH/CHENEY. WELCOME OBAMA, he is the teddy bear, if you will, that we needed after being traumatized so badly.

[element51]

truthMatter....I love this country too. All through the last 8 years I kept hoping that Bush would do good for the country but he didn''t. Still I didn''t hate him. Hate is one of the most powerful things on the face of the earth. It is poison and he who carries it will eventually be destroyed by it. Hate and the things it causes are truly evil and I want no part of it. I''m sure you feel the same way. So you see, even though we may not agree on many things, there is one thing that we can come together about. I have faith that Obama will be a good president. Whether he becomes a great president...time will tell. Let''s just hope that he can get us back on track and all Americans, not just the wealthy, can share in his success.