Campaign Desk

Campaign Desk — January 20, 2009 10:21 AM

Live Blogging the Inauguration Live Blogs

Starting here around 11 AM

By The Editors

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The Economist's Democracy in America blog, commenting on the crowds of Hope-filled humanity currently filling and spilling from every space on the National Mall not taken up by a Port-a-Potty: "What president could ask for a better kick-start to his administration? Barack Obama must know that the Republican leaders of the House and Senate are watching this, and are well enough aware that they couldn't draw enough of a crowd to muss up the Capitol's lawn."

#1 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:09 AM

I'd just like to begin by saying how I find "liveblogging the liveblogging" to be so meta as to warrant a good beating. Nevertheless, I will participate.

#2 Posted by surlybastard, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:17 AM

From The American Spectator's W. James Antle: "A D.C.-area watering hole I frequent was offering a Barack Obama cheeseburger with bleu cheese and a slice of ham on top. I don't know exactly it means but it sounds tasty. That's change I can believe in."

Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian... everybody loves bleu cheese!

#3 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:23 AM

The Caucus of The New York Times has just reported that Jay-Z and Beyonce are seated "directly behind" the place where President-elect Obama will deliver his inaugural address.

Non-Single Lady Beyonce must have put a seat-holder on it.

#4 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:26 AM

Chris Matthews, noting that a frail-looking former president George H.W. Bush seems uncomfortable in the frigid weather: "That's the reason old people go south for the winter."

Thanks for that, Chris.

#5 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:26 AM

When this wet dream of a white liberal guilt orgy is over and the journalistic community is done ejaculating all over themselves (assuming that any of you still have paying jobs), I certainly hope that the buyers remorse on this crook, certain to set in by next year, stays peaceful.

#6 Posted by Titus Culligan, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:32 AM

K-Lo at The Corner, gabbin' about God:

"Upon seeing a Bible being moved about, the conversation on my favorite newschannel went something like this:

Keith Olbermann: Would that be THE Bible?

Chris Matthews: The Lincoln Bible!

Sorry, guys, but THE Bible’s significance isn’t the original owner, but the actual words (or Word, if you'll permit)!"

If my mom was live blogging today, her live blog would sound exactly like that.

#7 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:36 AM

I'm keeping an eye on the Huff Po live blogs: An observation from contributor Jeffrey Feldman: "Oprah gets thw biggest applause so far. Yep."

#8 Posted by Katia Bachko, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:46 AM

Keith Olbermann, speculating as to "what's going through Obama's mind right now": "I don't know--and this might be completely wrong--but it looks like there's Calmness Helper involved."

We assume this is like Hamburger Helper, only packaged with freeze-dried Hope. But we're really not sure.

#9 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:47 AM

From Commentary's Jennifer Rubin: "The President-elect has dispensed with formal attire. Have we seen the latest of morning coats?"

With any luck, Obama will address this vital question extensively in his forthcoming address.

#10 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:48 AM

A debate on booing from HuffPo:

[Comment From Rob]: Decorum, please. Booing and chanting diminishes the moment. We'll all have plenty of time later to dissect this administration's long list of failures.

[Comment From esin]: i dont think booing diminishes the moment, it actually shows the genuine spirit there

#11 Posted by Katia Bachko, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:50 AM

The Caucus reports the introduction of the man of the hour: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the president elect of the United States, Barack H. Obama.”

They announced the outgoing president as George Walker Bush, so why the sensitivity to Barack's middle name, Hussein? Is the inaugural committee fearful of the worst today? Will Obama himself recite his full name when taking his oath?

#12 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:53 AM

And, what's a reflection on a public event without the requisite fashion critique:

[Comment From G.Yaremko]: So exciting. But I'm kinda disappointed by Michelles Dress. I hope she doesn't start going all neo conservative pearls, etc. I really, really liked the bold, in your face black and red election night dress.

#13 Posted by Katia Bachko, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:53 AM

We here at CJR would just like to say, with regard to Aretha Franklin:

That is a hat.

#14 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:56 AM

Pareene is live blogging at Gawker, and all is right with the world: "11:45 Obama's here! Yay! Now all of our problems are solved! Dianne Feinstein is here to inaugurate him. "in a world where political strife is too often settled with violence," one man stands between good and evil. He's a fish out of water in a capital he didn't create."

#15 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:56 AM

From Marc Ambinder, a look at security:
"25,000 law enforcement personnel. The Secret Service, the FBI and the Department of Energy are driving unmarked vans with sophisticated nuclear isotope detection gear capable of quickly determining whether radiation is bad or good. The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team is deployed in several spots, as are FBI sharpshooters and more than 50 Secret Service countersniper teams. There are more than 5,000 cameras, all linked to the multi-agency command center, which is set up outside of DC."

And 5,000 porta potties.

#16 Posted by Jane Kim, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 11:59 AM

Jim Oliphant at the Chicago Tribune's The Swamp blog writes a mini-profile of a collegiate marching band:

"Members of the Florida A&M marching band endured a wealth of hardships to get here. A 26 hour bus ride, a flat tire, a distant hotel over across the bay in Cambridge. Md....

"Band member Devin Collins of Tampa said that last night, he was thinking about 'what I am going to say to my grandkids? How I am going to tell them I prepared for this?'"

Perhaps he will tell them that he endured a wealth of hardships to get there, such as a 26-hour bus ride, a flat tire, and a distant hotel over across the bay in Cambridge, Md.

#17 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:01 PM

"Why," wonders Time's Michael Grunwald, "did Rick Warren say 'Malia and Sasha' like he was introducing Siegfried + Roy?"

#18 Posted by Liz Cox Barrett, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:06 PM

This is unrelated, but I just have to say John Roberts has a really hideous bald spot. They should have used the spray paint stuff on him before he went on camera.

#19 Posted by surlybastard, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:07 PM

I'm assuming that Dick Cheney just plain couldn't find his parka this morning..

#20 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:10 PM

The Caucus reports that President Obama "almost looks as if he is crying" after taking the oath.

As Obama makes his inaugural address, The New York Times has posted the prepared text of his speech.

#21 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:16 PM

Next debate. Did Obama or Roberts flub the oath?

[Comment From Colquitt]: Hey presidential historians! How many other presidents flubbed the oath?

[Comment From TJ]: Did Roberts mess up the oath?

[Comment From mombo]: john roberts.... CHOKES!

[Comment From jpg]: That's hilarious. Mr. Cool messed up during the oath.

[Comment From KnownToUs]: Actually, Roberts stumbled...Obama was giving him a chance to correct himself.

[Comment From Tonie]: Give the man a break! that's the first time we've seen any nervousness in him!!!

[Comment From Anita]: I like that he was nervous. It shows that he is just overwhelmed with emotions just like the rest of us.

[Comment From joy]: didn't he practice the oath???

[Comment From meg]: Obama didn't stumble - Roberts did

#22 Posted by Katia Bachko, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:16 PM

As MSNBC switches its cameras periodically to get in shots of folks listening, crying, saluting, we sometimes hear Obama's voice as it sounds to the crowd on the mall. Wish they would do it more often.

#23 Posted by Jane Kim, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:17 PM

John Podhoretz at Commentary discerns an "inadvertent Irving Berlin reference": '"We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and….' start all over again!"

And I'm hoping that he caps things off with a rousing rendition of "White Christmas." Gosh, I like that song.

#24 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:21 PM

Always be closing (from The Corner): "After Today . . . you need a National Review 2009 Mediterranean Cruise."

#25 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:26 PM

Those folks at Wikipedia are fast. The Obama page is updated to reflect the transition of power. Ditto, the Times Topics page.

#26 Posted by Katia Bachko, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:32 PM

The Washington City Paper blogs "Scenes Not from the Inauguration." From Dave McKenna, a lonely photograph of an empty Metro car, and a plaintive "Here’s a Green Line train that took me uptown about an hour ago. Where IS everybody?"

#27 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:38 PM

The Caucus highlights a few areas of Obama's speech, including a personal memento of his
("This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, 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.”)

but also this "first" address of its kind in an inaugural speech:

“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”

These two aspects of his speech highlight with incredible clarity how times have changed in America within the short lifetime of our new president. While Obama's inauguration signals the ultimate triumph of a decades-old civil rights movement, we are aware of present cultural challenges and seek to reconcile them.

#28 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:41 PM

Atrios on Twitter: "good job screwing up the oath, roberts"

#29 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:47 PM

The humorous end to Dr. Joseph Lowery's benediction ("when brown can stick around, when yellow can be mellow, when the red man can get ahead man and when white would embrace what is right.") has been posted on The Caucus, but I'm surprised to see no mention of Elizabeth Alexander's fitting inaugural poem.

#30 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 12:48 PM

The Bushes have departed Washington via helicopter, and as someone here in the office remarked, it has an almost Willy Wonka-esque tone to the event. You know, when Wonka departs in the great glass elevator, and little Charlie is left to run the chocolate factory?

Who wants some candy?

#31 Posted by Sara Germano, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 01:10 PM

Some assorted tweeted gems from that noted Twitter Bard, Slate's John Dickerson:

- "New responsibility era does not extend to litter. Mall is a thorough mess."

- "I believe that the Secret Service had to clear Aretha's hat"

- "Rick warren pronouncing Obama girl names like an NPR reporter."

#32 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 01:30 PM

His first act as president is to foul up his oath of office.

Smooth move ex-lax.

#33 Posted by John Snow, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 01:40 PM

@John Snow: Actually, it was Justice Roberts who misstated the oath. Per Article II of the Constitution, the oath is:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Roberts omitted the word "faithfully" from his initial recitation...Obama seems to have stopped his own repetition to give Roberts a chance to try again. Which he did. Only, while remembering to include "faithfully" on the second shot, Roberts put it in the wrong place...and managed to rename Obama's new office as "president to the United States."

Insert your favorite "but I thought Roberts was supposed to be a textualist!" comment here.

Anyway, you have to love the irony that two Constitutional scholars (holding the Bible of a...Constitutional scholar) managed to flub the thing.

#34 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 01:52 PM

If Obama cant even get the oath right I cringe to think what the next fours years are going to be full of.

#35 Posted by Don Filipski, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 02:03 PM

@Don Filipski: Please read the comment above yours. Thanks.

#36 Posted by Megan Garber, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 02:07 PM

I especially like the boos directed at Bush. Its good to see the left behaving as badly when they win as they do when they lose.

#37 Posted by Gabby, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 02:46 PM

@Gabby:

He deserved every single one of those boos, no question. Does the "left" include the 74 percent of this country that disapprove of that man? Why should he be treated with dignity when he's done nothing but take it away from millions of Americans and people all over the world?

#38 Posted by CP, CJR on Tue 20 Jan 2009 at 05:37 PM

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