President Obama's Inauguration and Address

Tuesday, 7:31 pm

By Kate

Jan

20

2009

Text of his address here. Quite a bare bones speech. Not flowery or fancy. I heard about rolling up our sleeves, hard work, responsibility, and service. That’s quite a change.

One of those changes

Tuesday, 5:34 pm

By Kate

Jan

20

2009

The White House website has a new look. And I surely do like it. Very, very nice.

President Obama

Tuesday, 4:30 pm

By Kate

Jan

20

2009

I thought I’d be in a fireworks kind of mood today, but, instead, I’m a blubbery mess. And relieved. And happy. I don’t believe I’ve ever enjoyed an inauguration like this one. My heart was in my throat during that walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, but it was so exciting to see the Obamas responding to the cheering crowds lining the streets.

I wish this day could last and last. All the good will and so forth.

Somewhat annoyingly, Katie Couric has been focused on Michelle Obama’s clothing, noting that she has a great deal of style for someone who doesn’t spend very much money on her clothes. But that’s probably a good thing in these economic times, she opines. But really, how hard will it be for the First Lady to live up to the pressure to carry off her style, etc., etc., etc. Katie makes it sound as if Michelle Obama will be completely done in by 8AM just by standing in front of her closet trying to come up with a stylish outfit every day. Seems to me there are more interesting, if not more important, things to talk about. But that’s our media.

By the looks of things, the mood in Washington is simply ebullient. The city hasn’t seen anything like it a long time. It must an amazing place to be today. But it feels like that in my house, too!