Obamas Wind Down Historic Day

President Attends 10 Inaugural Balls As Millions Depart The National Mall

(CBS/AP)  President Barack Obama ushered in a new era for the United States, becoming the first black leader of the country founded by slave-owners, and telling the world America is "ready to lead once more" after eight divisive years under George W. Bush.

Taking the helm of a nation beset by economic troubles and two wars, Obama told Americans on Tuesday that "starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America."

Before a crowd that swelled to more than 1 million on the National Mall, Obama assumed power over a nation longing for change after an era that that witnessed the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, the beginning of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and an economic collapse not seen since the 1930s Great Depression.

From Kenya and Indonesia, where Obama has family ties, to Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America, his inauguration sparked a volcanic explosion of hope for better days ahead. People around the world gathered in front of their television sets to witness the moment in history, and Obama addressed them directly.

"To all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more," Obama said.

His words marked a call for personal accountability and a repudiation of the Bush years.

"Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed," Obama said. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

Obama's 10-year-old daughter, Malia, aimed a camera at her father as he spoke. His wife, Michelle, leaned onto the edge of her seat, body tensed and brow knitted.

His speech took note of his historic place as the first black president in understated but deliberate language, and he spoke of himself as "a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant" yet one who now could take its most sacred oath.

Tuesday's ceremony was the culmination of a remarkable ascent for the 47-year-old Democrat, who moves into the Oval Office as the nation's fourth youngest president. In less than five years, he rose from a little-known Illinois state lawmaker to the country's highest office, persuading Americans that despite his relative inexperience, he could turn around the economy, end the Iraq war and restore U.S. standing in the world.

With 11 million Americans out of work and trillions of dollars lost in the stock market's tumble, Obama emphasized that his biggest challenge is to repair the tattered economy left behind by outgoing President Bush.

"Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed," Obama said. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America."

"Every new administration talks about the challenges it faces, and they're always there," said CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield "(But this administration) is facing challenges the likes of which have not been seen in decades. "

"And the need for celebration that the Democrats are bringing to this (is rooted in) the realization that not only are the challenges immense, but no one is entirely sure that they know what to do about them, Greenfield continued.

"I heard a very unsettling story from a prominent senator who said that in the wake of the financial crisis some months ago he called some of the most significant names in American finance and said 'Okay, if you were me what could you would you do?' and they all had the same answer, 'We don't know.'"

CBS News Chief White House correspondent Chip Reid provided some more grim analysis.

The campaign, transition and inauguration were the easy parts, Reid said. With problems such as the economy, President Obama is "jumping off a precipice and hoping for the best that he can deliver."

"There was no crescendo moment and I think it was intended that way," Vernon Jordan, a close adviser to former President Bill Clinton, said of Mr. Obama's speech during a conversation with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric. Instead, Jordan described the speech as one about governing, one that fostered a "let's do it together" attitude toward the challenges facing the nation.

Bush Departs

Immediately after the inauguration ceremony, Bush and his wife, Laura, boarded a helicopter alongside the U.S. Capitol, as they began their journey home to Texas. The new president and his wife walked them to the chopper - keeping with tradition - to see them off.

Bush flew first to Andrews Air Force Base for a private departure ceremony, then on to a welcome rally in Midland, Texas and finally, by nightfall, his ranch near Crawford, Texas.

As the architect of two unfinished wars and the man in charge at a time of economic calamity, the ex-president left Washington under the cloud of approval ratings hovering at historic lows. People in the crowd booed when Bush's image was flashed on giant screens.

Millions Celebrate

Across the country on Inauguration Day Americans blew their horns, waved their flags, and cheered themselves hoarse, CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds reports.

In Memphis, a crowd cheered, "Yes we can!"

In Miami, a supporter of President Obama said: "Oh, this is such a wonderful day. God is good."

People marched over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., where the civil rights struggle came of age.

And in Miami they marveled over the progress since those days. One resident said: "I was thinking in this same town I couldn't get a drink of water out of a fountain - and that black man is president now."

Some people had goosebumps. "You could feel everyone's excitement and everyone just standing up a little taller and really being proud to be American," said Alison Klare.

Perhaps 202 million Americans watched it all on TV, everybody awaiting the salutation history has reserved for so few: "Congratulations, Mr. President."

To rousing cheers, the new president and his wife stepped out of their limousine to greet part of the enthusiastic crowd that lined the parade route.

Among those following Obama's limousine down Pennsylvania Avenue were re-enactors from a black Civil War regiment, World War II's surviving Tuskegee Airmen - the country's first group of black military pilots and crew - and Freedom Riders who battled for civil rights.

More than 13,000 people from all 50 U.S. states traveled the 1.5-mile parade route jammed with joyous onlookers since dawn. Among the marching bands and military units are acrobats and even a drill team pushing whimsically decorated lawn mowers.

"Everybody is behind him," said Mikki Hill, 26, who traveled from Winston-Salem, N.C., and marveled at the multiracial multitudes. "Everybody's come from as far as the Earth is wide."

So it seemed on a day when change and continuity marched together in a spectacle of pageantry and raw emotion.

A couple of hours after being sworn in, Obama and his wife, Michelle, got out of their armored limousine bearing the license plate USA 1 and strolled together down the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, holding hands and waving during the spirited inaugural parade. People along the packed parade route screeched in greeting.

The racial milestone lent a deeply personal dimension for many in the crowds as well as a historical landmark for all.

"I've been real emotional all morning thinking about my grandmother and the heroes whose shoulders we stand on," said Lyshundria Houston, 34, here from Memphis, after more than 20 hours of travel. Houston, who is black, said: "They'd be so proud."

At one banquet, the wealthy and powerful mingled with the powerless and poor in one thanks to the largesse of a Virginia businessman, reports CBS News correspondent Thalia Assuras.

Energized by the moment, hordes clogged the scene, enduring below-freezing temperatures. Starting before dawn, with the Capitol bathed in lights, they streamed from jammed subway stations and thronged past parked buses, emergency vehicles and street vendors to Pennsylvania Avenue and the National Mall.

Ticket holders approaching the inaugural site filed through security sweeps in lines coiled like cinnamon rolls.

They cheered dignitaries as they came on to the inaugural stand at the Capitol. Obama walked quietly and with the merest stirring of a smile through the halls to his position on the stand and his place in history.

The crowd erupted in jubilation as he strode out.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, the latter walking haltingly with a cane, embraced.

Roland Pool, 47, a white social worker from Santa Fe., N.M., sized up the new president as "solid and upfront. He deals with a million people with a smile - and stoicism, too."

Elizabeth Courtman, 24, who recently moved to Washington from southern Alabama and supported Republican John McCain for president, said she came away with something to tell her children and grandchildren some day. "There's no denying the spectacle," said Courtman, who is white. "Our generation has never seen anything like this."

The grace notes of the day were not shared by all. A wave of boos greeted the introduction of Bush and his outgoing vice president, Dick Cheney, who was in a wheelchair. "Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye," some people chanted.

The World Reacts

Around the world - in countries both friendly and hostile - people people gathered around televisions to watch Obama's inauguration

In Kenya, the land of his father, they sang Barack Obama's name.

In Donegal, Ireland, they cheered in what claims to be the land of his distant cousin, and wrote new lyrics. "There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama!"

They rang the ceremonial bell in the town in Japan that bears his name. Yes, it's called Obama, Japan.

Never have so many felt so close, from so far away, CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports.

In Russia, one man said, "all of a sudden we have this smart guy running the United States

"Barack Obama really does seem to be the first American president who is also in many ways quite genuinely the world's president," said Constanze Stelzenmuller of the German Marshall Fund.

Not everyone cheered. In Gaza and the West Bank they've seen American presidents come and go - and nothing change.

One resident of Ramallah said: "Writing a speech - it's so easy to write a speech. But it doesn't mean that what he is saying, and he's just a president and he's not going to do anything new in Palestine."

But elsewhere, he's already done something new.

In Paris, Maria Laloux said: "For me it's a miracle. Martin Luther Kind said, 'We hall overcome.' We did today."

A Few Sour Notes

In spite of the massive crowds attending the inauguration, sources at the Washington, D.C. police department and the U.S. Park Police - which has jurisdiction over the national mall - told CBS News that they made no arrests today.

It was a day of high spirits - jarred by sudden concern about the health of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a legendary Democrat who is suffering from brain cancer.

He was rushed, convulsing, from a post-inauguration Senate luncheon in honor of Obama.

"This is a joyous time but it's also a sobering time," Obama said. "And my prayers are with him and his family and (Kennedy's wife) Vicki."

Doctors said later that Kennedy was awake and conversing with family at the hospital, and that the seizure had been prompted by fatigue. They said Kennedy would remain at Washington Hospital Center overnight for evaluation.

Earlier Tuesday, a 68-year-old woman was injured when she fell on the Metro tracks and was hit by a train.

The district fire department responded to dozens of calls from people falling down or complaining of the being cold, D.C. fire and EMS department spokesman Alan Etter said. About two dozen were hospitalized.

Etter said medical personnel were having trouble getting to people quickly around the mall because of the throngs of people, but he added that everyone who needed help has eventually received treatment.

On To The Balls

Washington spent the afternoon celebrating with a parade, and the festivities won't end until well after midnight, with Washingtonians dancing and partying at dozens of inaugural balls.

The Obamas themselves planned to attend 10.

They started the night at the Neighborhood Ball where Beyonce serenaded them with Etta James' "At Last" as they slowly danced. Across the capital, there were at least a dozen other unofficial balls where partiers were celebrating even without an appearance from the new first couple.

The president pulled his wife close and they danced a slow, dignified two-step while, offstage, Beyonce sang. The president spun first lady Michelle Obama once in a half-turn.

Obama cut loose in a faster groove a few minutes later, as Shakria, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Mariah Carey sang along with Stevie Wonder to his "Sign, Sealed, Delivered." The song was played at nearly every one of Obama's rallies throughout the campaign.

The president wore white tie, while Michelle shimmered in a white, one-shouldered, floor-length gown. It was embellished from top to bottom with white floral details and made by designer Jason Wu.

Obama asked the crowd of celebrities and supporters alike, "How good looking is my wife?"

The new president said the ball, for people who live in Washington area and which was broadcast live on ABC, best captured the spirit of his campaign.

"We got the idea for the neighborhood ball because we are neighborhood people," he said. "I cut my teeth doing neighborhood work. And this campaign was organized neighborhood by neighborhood."

[fmw58]

The 58 denoted the year I graduated high school. I was in college during some tumultuous years! I remember MLK and his speeches. I also remember (vividly) RFK, Robert F. Kennedy. If RFK had lived to serve as president things would have already changed.

[fmw58]

Dear ME, "fMw58." you must lead a pretty sad, cynical life judging from your comments.

Is this supposed to be an "I gotcha?" I am not sad, I live a good life and I call things as I see them and you arent me. Do I think the new boss is the same as the old, YES, I have seen this time and again. The honeymoon will end and misery after this euphoria will set in. Maybe you are too young to see it and if you believe in this ''prophet'' you may be disappointed in the end. I hope he can do something, what that will be is a *** shoot, my life experience tells me this. I stated my opinion as you have stated yours. Fair is fair but to formulate an opinion of me on an internet board is rather foolish. How old are you? WHen a person gets to my age we do become a bit jaded. I''ve been around a long time and I''ve seen a lot of history being made, my opinion is such. It''s the media that is crowing to the sky America has a black president. I don''t care about his color and I think it has been made too much of. Does it mean that it places him above the rest and because he is black he is above it all? All president''s ___ stinks, sometimes it takes a while for it to smell. We live in a free country I have the right as well as you do to express my honest and forthright thoughts. BTW, I was a history teacher at one time. I know my history well and if you think the human condition is going to change much I''d say you haven''t been walking on this earth very long. Do you have a shiny happy life?

[fmw58]

I love fishing for togue and brookies here in New England.

[fmw58]

This is all about a black man. Like someone else said camera time was elite and rather exclusive. The peoples president? Looks like another rich peoples president.

[fmw58]

I apologize for how often my post came up! On my end it wasn''t letting me post. My mistake. What will he do about the human condition in this country?

[fmw58]

I''ve been around long enough to know (as another person already said) the new boss is the same as the old boss. This spectacle seemed rather decadent in this economy. How much has this cost the taxpayers? Didn''t watch it, can''t afford the amount of electricity to run my tv all day! Liked the yellow dress of the wife, that cost big $$, the other fruffie thing was a dud. I could have stitched up something better for much less! hahaha It''s all a joke on the American people, come back to reality now! Former President Clinton summed it up well when he said Obama''s ideas were all fantasy. It''s still the economy stupid! It''s all about the money, no matter the color of the ''man''. Sadly it also seems to be about being black! People are thrilled with the color of his skin, as though this fact will make a difference. I doubt it. He is not a Black Man living in the real "Black" America. He''s half white, grew up in a nice neighborhood in Hawaii... yahoo.
I don''t care about the color of this man''s skin, apparently there are those that do, what is this saying about America? To me it says ''the color of his skin'' is what makes him, I personally feel it''s the man he is that makes him a great man. I hope life gets better with him but I have my doubts simply because in all the years I have been alive and all the years I have been voting, nothing among the powers that be have changed much in reality.

[fmw58]

I''ve been around long enough to know (as another person already said) the new boss is the same as the old boss. This spectacle seemed rather decadent in this economy. How much has this cost the taxpayers? Didn''t watch it, can''t afford the amount of electricity to run my tv all day! Liked the yellow dress of the wife, that cost big $$, the other fruffie thing was a dud. I could have stitched up something better for much less! hahaha It''s all a joke on the American people, come back to reality now! Former President Clinton summed it up well when he said Obama''s ideas were all fantasy. It''s still the economy stupid! It''s all about the money, no matter the color of the ''man''. Sadly it also seems to be about being black! People are thrilled with the color of his skin, as though this fact will make a difference. I doubt it. He is not a Black Man living in the real "Black" America. He''s half white, grew up in a nice neighborhood in Hawaii... yahoo.
I don''t care about the color of this man''s skin, apparently there are those that do, what is this saying about America? To me it says ''the color of his skin'' is what makes him, I personally feel it''s the man he is that makes him a great man. I hope life gets better with him but I have my doubts simply because in all the years I have been alive and all the years I have been voting, nothing among the powers that be have changed much in reality.

[imhalfspicy]

Yay! The first Half white president! I supported President Obama only because his half white, I WOULD HAVE NEVER SUPPORTED A BLACK DUDE FOR PRESIDENT. LOL

If anything it''s a great moment in history for all the HALF people of the world!

[briannorwood]

imHALFspicy:

Guess you didn''t get the message...Time to put away your childish ways.

[imhalfspicy]

Yay! The first Half white president!

[imhalfspicy]

Yay! The first Half white president!

[eclecticman1]

I want to say something about the election of Obama but don%u2019t know where to begin. Do I begin with the unbelievable election of an African-American to the highest post in this country or with the sense of relief that after eight years of ideological ruling, we finally will be able to attack the problems of our country with pragmatism and intelligence?

I am old enough to have seen the full passage of African-Americans from being a secondary class, denied rights and freedoms the rest of us took for granted, to being a more integral part of this country. The battle isn%u2019t over yet by a long shot but they are on their way.

[jodyrae4]

I think Obama is a good man..I think the hate spewing idiots that back him only hurt him..

[jodyrae4]

What goes around comes around...remember that... all you hollywood loving... Bush hating liberals..hummmm

[whitewolf60]

Well, I hope he can so SOMETHING to straighten out the mess we have.... this sheckin'' out money to the ALREADY RICH ain''t cutting it!

[irmcvet971]

meet the new boss
same as the old boss


Posted by mattcool247 at 05:08 AM : Jan 21, 2009

Yeah? ROFLMAO You need to get yourself checked out... VERY soon! Lets be honest Sparky, Bush can''t even carry Obama''s baggage.

[irmcvet971]

I think Washington is probably moved by all the hot air Obama has been expelling the past week. Maybe we could tap into his rhetoric as an alternative form of energy. So far, 1,000,000 words and no action. I dub Obama the Vapor President.

Posted by jabailo at 03:55 AM : Jan 21, 2009

So because you and I decided we wanted a President who could actually SPEAK the language and tell us what he wants to do that was a bad decision. Because we have a Leader who is LIKED, not only by the vast majority of WE the PEOPLE, but the ENTIRE World because he can and does COMMUNICATE with us, that''s a BAD thing! Yep these are people we should be listening too!! This clown is just mad because we refuse to play the game HIS way! LOL

[irmcvet971]

I can hardly wait until President Obama gets to work. He has great vision for the future.

Lastly, Michelle Obama''''s ball gown was hideous.

Posted by DragonTat2 at 01:59 AM : Jan 21, 2009

So there ya have it folks! We should hate the kid down the street because his Girl Friend doesn''t look like she should! ROFLMAO Yeah! Makes perfect sense!

[irmcvet971]

Wow, although WE voted for him and showed OUR support as a country, I guess the only ones worth camera time is a celebrity or a member of the black community. A chance to show us coming together and embracing our new President and sadly the press segregated us.


Posted by suzmarda at 01:05 AM : Jan 21, 2009


LOL So Momma''s little boy is upset because the other kid was shown more attention? What a load of C-R-A-P!!

[irmcvet971]

I think its time for the popcorn, this going to be quite a show...all the hate the liberals spewed at Bush will be coming back on Obama...

Posted by jodyrae4 at 05:41 AM : Jan 21, 2009

So YOU think Bush''s failure and the reason he''s leaving with a 22% Approval is because of "Liberal''s" and the hate they spewed at him? So in return you are going to refuse to play with the rest of us... Is that pretty much your position? Can you explain to me how Bill Clinton left with a 66% approval then? Stop being a child and stop blaming other American''s for the Failures of Bush and the Republican''s. Your Neighbors and Fellow Citizens were doing their JOBS under our constitution. They felt they were LIED to and deceived and used their rights won with the blood of their fathers to express that fact. IF they had NO basis for those complaints Bush would have left office as Clinton did...with a 66% approval. Grow up for crying out loud.