Choice of MLK, Lincoln bibles "entirely fitting", Obama says
President Obama will be sworn in using the bibles of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln - two men that he admires "probably more than anybody in American history - at his upcoming inauguration, and he says in a new web video that the choice of bibles is "entirely fitting," noting that the movements represented by both men "are the only reason that it's possible for me to be inaugurated."
"Me stating before the entire country that I will uphold my oath of office, while at the same time letting me know that there's a connection between me being here and the sacrifices of those in the past - it's, I think, entirely fitting."
"It's also a reminder for me that this country's gone through some very tough times before," he said, "but we always come out on the other side. This task of constantly perfecting our union, making it more fair, making sure everybody in this country has a fair shot...It's probably the most important thing to keep in mind when you're the President of the United States."
Mr. Obama also discusses some of his favorite moments from his first inauguration four years ago.
"I remember the train ride that we took down from Philadelphia," he says. "Crowds lined the entire route. It was an incredible reminder of the diversity of our country."
He also fondly remembers the day of service, noting that "because inauguration comes close to Dr. King's birthday," he and his family "had a tradition of serving on that weekend."
That legacy of service - and the inauguration that comes with it every four years - is an opportunity to remember "the role that we have as fellow citizens in promoting a common good as well as making sure that we're carrying out our individual responsibilities," Mr. Obama says. "That is the reason that America's been successful in the past. That's why we'll be successful in the future."