Presidential inauguration: 700,000 expected in D.C. to watch Obama take oath of office

Chicago Tribune ^ | 01/21/2013

[SeekAndFind]

WASHINGTON -- Four years after making history by becoming the first African-American president, Barack Obama will kick off his second term on Monday with a scaled-back inauguration that reflects the tempered expectations for his next four years in office.

Lingering high unemployment, bitter political battles and a divisive re-election campaign have punctured the mood of optimism and hope that infused Obama's 2009 inauguration after a sweeping election win.

This time, Obama's inauguration will feature smaller crowds and a reduced slate of inaugural balls and parties to match the more subdued tenor of the times.

When Obama raises his right hand to be sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts outside the U.S. Capitol at 10:55 a.m. Chicago time, it will be his second time taking the oath in 24 hours.

He had a private swearing-in on Sunday at the White House because of a constitutional requirement that the president be sworn in on Jan. 20. Rather than stage the full inauguration on a Sunday, the main public events were put off until Monday.

Obama begins the day worshiping at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House. He will then take the oath again and deliver his inaugural address from the Capitol's west front overlooking the National Mall, where a crowd of up to 700,000 is expected to watch.

That is down significantly from the record 1.8 million people who jammed Washington in 2009 for Obama's first inauguration.

As Inauguration Day dawned and people streamed through the wintry cold toward the Capitol grounds, Washington was in security lockdown, with thousands of police and National Guard troops deployed, barricades up and Humvee military vehicles blocking major intersections.

Outside the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, an elaborate presidential viewing stand, encased in bullet-proof glass, awaited Obama and other VIPs

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I remember Ann Barnhardt last year made a bet that the twice unconstitutionally elected admitted foreign born national would swear on the Koran this time around. I thought she was half kidding, but after seeing this pic I'm saying to myself is that a Bible? That don't look like no Bible to me. The press said it was the "Robinson family Bible". Just what kind of Bible is that? Is their "Bible" a pamphlet?

[a fool in paradise]

Million Moron March

[rcrngroup]

The Lord must be sorely tempted by such a gathering.

You got that right!

If ever there was a time for the Lord to rain fire & brimstone from heaven upon Washington D.C., as He did to Sodom & Gomorah, right in the middle of the Usuper's coronation speech would be the perfect time.

[itssme]

I read that the Mooch said her family was not religious...didn't attend religious services, or belong to any particular religion. I agree, it doesn't look like ANYONE'S Bible. There seems to be a white cover on the top and the bottom of the whatever is between the covers...looks like they are trying to make sure no one can see any printing on the top if there is any, or ID it in any way...calls for more investigating. If we can find that it is a Koran pamphlet, then we nail this basta*d one way or another.

[rcrngroup]

I’m just hoping that there is no widespread looting & riots

Really? I actually think it would be a great way to cap off the racist 0dumb0's self-coronation. Let the feral yutes (0dumb0's & Holder's people) in da hoods, rise up and burn down their own inner city neighborhoods or businesses. It would be fitting end to 0dumb0's coronation.

[itssme]

I read that the Mooch said her family was not religious...didn't attend religious services, or belong to any particular religion. I agree, it doesn't look like ANYONE'S Bible. There seems to be a white cover on the top and the bottom of the whatever is between the covers...looks like they are trying to make sure no one can see any printing on the top if there is any, or ID it in any way...calls for more investigating. If we can find that it is a Koran pamphlet, then we nail this basta*d one way or another.

[itssme]

I read that the Mooch said her family was not religious...didn't attend religious services, or belong to any particular religion. I agree, it doesn't look like ANYONE'S Bible. There seems to be a white cover on the top and the bottom of the whatever is between the covers...looks like they are trying to make sure no one can see any printing on the top if there is any, or ID it in any way...calls for more investigating. If we can find that it is a Koran pamphlet, then we nail this basta*d one way or another.

[RightOnline]

No thanks; I already have Comedy Channel and Chiller, so.....what’s the point.

[NativeSon]

“I’m just hoping that there is no widespread looting & riots” - said the man Freepin from his place of work...

[Gritty]

I spent the afternoon today out in the woods looking for Bigfoot.

I figured that was a better use of my time and easier on my blood pressure then watching all the sick adulation and Commie lies spewing adoringly out of the District of Corruption.

[Eva]

My husband read one article that stated that Obama would take the oath of office on a binder. He asked me what that meant and made a few jokes about binders full of women.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Yeah something is definitely up with that. What Bible has a gold pad like that in the middle? That ain’t no bookmark. And what Bible is that thin? I have a pocket Bible fatter than that. This is their “family Bible”? What did they do, rip out half the pages?

[Borax Queen]

And lots of visits to Dr. 90210? Sure looks like, in that photo anyway...

[Toespi]

The Obimbo ate the bible.

[Lee N. Field]

700,000?

Love them mass rallys!

[mylife]

I was thinking of this land is your land this land is my land.

[mylife]

That is exactly what happened.

[SisterK]

It does look odd for a Bible....I thought he was supposed to use Lincoln’s Bible today? Or yesterday? Does not look like an antique Bible.

[LibsRJerks]

Those girls just do NOT look normal. For crying out loud, their father is swearing into the office of the President of the United States. They look like they’re at a FUNERAL.

Most kids would be smiling, reverent, amazed, engaged ...whatever.

They look like they hate him. It’s just really strange.

Or maybe they’re mad at the outfits they have to wear. Something.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

And the one kid is looking at the “bible”. Maybe she knows something.