Challenges Real,
But 'They Will Be Met'
“The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.”
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Barack Obama delivered a sobering assessment of where America stands and a hopeful vision of what it can become as he gave his inaugural address as the nation's 44th president. President Barack Obama told a crowd at the National Mall that America's challenges are real.
"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time," Obama told hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in front of the Capitol. "But know this, America -- they will be met," he said. He also vowed to end the divisiveness and partisanship he said was rampant through Washington. "We come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics," he said. In another allusion to Washington's shortcomings, Obama promised to hold accountable anyone who handles taxpayer dollars. "
And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government." The new president, who hugged civil rights stalwart Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, upon walking on stage Tuesday, also hailed the civil rights movement. "This is the meaning of [America's] liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath," Obama said.
THE SPEECH New White House Web Site *** Millions Witness a Profound Moment in Nation’s History *** President Obama Says Americans Must Choose 'Hope Over Fear' to Take On Recession, Wars *** Dow Drops 330, Continuing Swoon *** Sen. Kennedy Collapses *** Paterson Is Nearly Set on Senate Pick
NEW ERA AS BAM TAKES THE REINS * NATION'S 1ST BLACK PREZ SWORN IN* SPEECH INVOKES JFK AND FDR* MILLIONS PACK MALL TO SEE HISTORY *** Transition Holds Clues to Obama Governance *** Barack Obama's Historic Moment Arrives.
Governing Obama: Everyone Has to Pitch In *** Hints of Agenda and Tone for New First Lady *** President-Elect Lauds McCain and Powell *** Power switch: Chart... *** New White House's Unseen Influences *** What Barack Obama is facing on Day 1 *** Obama Mends Legislative Bridges *** Obama to Break Silence on World Affairs *** Obama May Need Second Bailout—And Quick *** Obama Looks to Future With a Nod to Past *** Global Crises Will Define Presidency *** Obama Aides Map First 100 Hours *** Obama Gets Nuclear 'Football' Codes *** Obama may redefine the presidency *** Bush leaves Obama Oval Office note.
Newspaper Editorials Post: OBAMA'S OPPORTUNITY *** Times: Government’s Promise *** WSJ Deficits May Restrict Obama's Promises *** WSJ A Country on the Cusp of Change *** Daily News: It's Barack Obama's time - and ours - to prove yes we can make a change *** Washington Post A Day of Joy, Hope and Fear Op Ed MR. COOL CHILLS OUT BEFORE BIGGEST DAY *** HEY, WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THAT, CAN YOU FIX THE ECONOMY? *** Daly: Triumph over legacy of slavery *** Louis: Put voting on day's miracle list *** Landscape of Hope - WP Robinson *** Unlike Media, Obama Knows He's No Wizard - Kass, Chicago Tribune *** Brazile: A day to rejoice *** Schieffer Reflects On Historic Inaugural.
King, The People I Wish You Were Here: From the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Lyndon B. Johnson, a salute to the many people who gave so much but will not be with us for Barack Obama’s inauguration, Times, Herbert *** Bam evokes Martin Luther King *** Dr. King Discusses America's First Black President In Unearthed BBC Clip *** Airmen To Take Part In Historic Inauguration Honor *** THE VOICE BEHIND THE CEREMONY *** In Washington, a Night for the Youngest *** Riding the Fellowship Bus to the Ceremony *** At the Office, Taking a Break for the Oath of Office *** An 84-year-old ex-judge, 55-year-old city comptroller and 29-year-old teacher are all going to the Obama inauguration *** Perspective From A Former Mayor Dinkins *** New Yorkers Converge On Nation's Capital Ahead Of Inauguration *** OUR OWN BARACK-O-RAMA: WHERE YOU CAN WATCH IN APPLE *** Little Rock Desegregation Heroes Mark New Era *** Greatest invasion of Washington since 1814 *** Local band stepping up and into history *** Obama fever hits Bronx schools *** Their inaugural tickets to ride: Canarsie couple was willing to sleep in car to witness history *** Millions gather to see history *** Day of 'coming together' *** Big Day is Finally Here *** Obama's Chance to Do What Lincoln Couldn't *** A City and Nation Prepare to Celebrate *** Metro Lots Jammed *** What Makes An Inauguration Memorable?
Jill Biden: My Husband Had A Choice Between Secretary Of State And The Vice Presidency *** BIDEN 'HAD HIS PICK' OF JOBS: WIFE: OFFERED VP AND SECRETARY OF STATE *** Jill Biden Is Gaffe-Prone, Too! *** Biden had pick of jobs, wife lets slip.
Moving 44 FACTS ABOUT OBAMA: ...AND 1 ABOUT MICHELLE *** Defined and Defining Her Times *** Hints of Michelle Obama's agenda as first lady *** Playing House in the White House The Bush twins give the Obama girls the lowdown on puppies, banisters and Dad *** Obama won't makeover Oval Office *** White House Movers *** "Organized Chaos": White House Moving Day *** The Personal Transition *** WATCH: Moving Day at the White House *** Michelle, rockin' belle! New 1st Lady a hit at kids concert *** DICK CHENEY HURTS BACK ON MOVING DAY.
Washington Coleman Camp: Count Every Vote -- All of Them *** Biden's Office: No, He Was Not Offered Secretary of State! *** Unemployment Going Up Among Washington Republicans *** BUSH FREES GUARDS WHO SHOT DRUGGIE *** An Even More Dysfunctional F.E.C. *** Adolfo may be Cabinet 'enforcer' *** Israel to pull out of Gaza by Obama inauguration *** Pelosi Differs with Obama on Taxes, Probes *** Obama may soon reverse abortion-related policy.
"The economies of the world are falling off a cliff. This is a situation that is comparable to the 1930s. And once you recognize it, you have to recognize the size of the problem is much bigger. - Soros Blasts 'Haphazard' Bailout
Wall Street Mess Consumers skip Starbucks for plain ol' joe *** Super Bowl a big bash, but with ads toned down *** Anxiety Grips Restaurants, New Ones in Particular *** Battle for top spot at NY Fed nears end *** Fed Grapples With New Risk Reality *** AIG's Investment Chief to Step Down *** Nationalization Looms for Royal Bank of Scotland *** Fed up & fighting foreclosure Angry group protests home auction *** Strengthening or Weakening the Economy? - Ron Paul, Texas Straight Talk *** Obama Advisers Plan to WIden Credit with TARP *** The Obama Era Dawns On Wall Street *** Barack Obama's Bailout Challenge *** Cautionary Tax Advice for the Obama Team *** A Smarter Form of Economic Stimulus *** First 100 days: Obama's burden *** Banks likely to head back to the trough *** Chrysler and Fiat form a strategic alliance.
Albany GOV: I'M CLUELESS ON SENATE CHOICE *** Another Cap Region visitor to D.C., Gov. Paterson says he’s narrowed his Senate pick to a short list, and promises he doesn’t know who his choice is yet. More here *** Paterson Feeling Better, Says Senate Decision Just Days Away *** Gov. Paterson won't say but eying 'few' for senator job *** More NY Democrats with tax problems *** “While progress has been made, inequality continues,” Paterson wrote in an op-ed today.
City Hall Twenty-two candidates running in the three upcoming City Council special elections have filed petitions - and creative ballot line names - with the Board of Elections *** Queens City Council Races Heating Up 13 Hopefuls Jockey for 2 Seats in Feb. 24 Election by Lisa L. Colangelo - NY Daily News *** SHEEKEY PEEKY: MIKE AIDE'S POWER MEETINGS *** Sheekey's Whereabouts, Made Simple(r) *** Billionaire Bloomberg All Dolled Up, No Party To Join *** Weiner wants to know cries foul that Bloomberg is breaking campaign finance rules by failing to disclose campaign expenses - Who cares? All the money is coming from the mayor anyway *** Controversial plan to build an apartment tower right next to the Brooklyn Bridge is gaining momentum after years of stalling *** Film About a Rapper Captures Bed-Stuy as It Once Was *** City unveils Coney Island revival plan: 'Wonder Wheel Way' to connect three iconic rides *** Mayor unveils plan for Coney Island rezoning *** Coney Island Rezoning Plan Released, Protests Promised *** Coney Is. Plan Bites Nathan's *** Bronx Roundup *** And here's Charlie Rangel yesterday, saying he's proud of Obama, but has no regrets about not endorsing him in the primary.
Counting on the Bailout to Balance Budget Bad Economy Means Less Migration From NYC *** Fed funds sorely needed for boro infrastructure, pols say *** Federal Stimulus and Medicaid: How Big a Savings for the City? *** Gov. Paterson makes a commitment in black and white to scale back tax and fee hikes.
Media Mess Is Cablevision meddling in Newsday’s cove... *** Mexican Billionaire Invests in Times Company.
Health Care Every industrialized nation in the world except the United States has a national system that guarantees affordable health care for all its citizens. Nearly all have been popular and successful.- Atul Gawande, cancer surgeon *** Why Health Reform May Happen *** Jeff Jarvis hears something weird from a New York TV reporter.
