Katie Couric's Notebook: Can Washington Grow Up?

In his Inauguration speech, President Obama referenced a passage from the New Testament. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "when I became a man, it was time to put away childish things."

President Obama faces some very grown-up problems, and his speech contained a call to his colleagues in Washington put away childish things like partisan bickering, and come together to make the nation strong.

The olive branch tends to be a popular party favor on Inauguration Day. President Bush spoke of being a uniter, and President Clinton challenged Congress to work as one with him. Neither man got much love from the other side when the parties were over.

But President Obama is beginning with an advantage. He has the highest favorability rating of any president for the past 30 years. That can be used as capital in the Capitol.

The road to recovery needs to be paved by Democrats and Republicans, and it is not child's play.