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January 19th, 2009
10:25 PM ET
Inauguration of the 44th President
For some of you, this will be the first inauguration you'll remember. Others will compare this one to your memories of President Bush's inauguration of 2005, following his re-election, or of his first oath of office eight years ago. What are you thinking as you hear the history discussed in Tuesday's show and see the history made in Tuesday's inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama? What are your impressions of this event? We'd love to get your thoughts in an iReport.
And of course, you're always welcome to tell us right here!
Carl Azuz, Anchor
As Maya Angelous told Larry King, this election has shown that America has really grown up.
I think it is great that our next president is African American. I think its time for "CHANGE"!!!
Whoo-hoo
We are watching the inauguration in our classroom right now and WOW it would be way cool to go and be apart of this piece of history!!!
It is going to be different with a different kind of a President. There will be a lot of different state ments, going to be stated.
OBAMA!
I'm very happy with the fact that Obama is our new President and I'm ready for the change, but I can't help but to feel sorry for the man because he'll have to fix a huge amount of mistakes made in the past. I wish him luck and hope that he'll help lead our country into victory.
I was orignally a McCain supporter, but after listening to what obama plans to do to save our economy i think america voted for the right person 🙂
President Obama's speech was long but it was worth watching get sworn in for the 47 President.
WOW the 44th president already. I guess that isn't so big but I'm glad that Obama is our president.
We feel happy. Even though we are incarcerated we feel that the nation has an enthusiastic future not just for the president but for the people as well. Hopefully he passes laws to help those that are incarcerated. I was expecting something bad to happen during the inauguration but I was glad to see that it went well and that we have a new president. Hopefully Obama can help bring peace to the world.
I think Obama will make a great president! I think we needed a change after what Bush made us go through!
I am watching Obama walking in the street at this moment, a huge risk after the past catastrophes that have occured within the presidential seats. Some may consider him "brave" and some may consider him "stupid" but none of us actually know what is to come.
i am not a obama fan but i guess it kinda cool having our 44th presiden
Now we finally got the right president. Unfortunately I had to work this evening, so I couldn't watch the inauguration on television.
I'm worried about Teddy Kennedy's health though. I just learned he had a breakdown during the gala dinner.
Tonio from Hamburg, Germany
I thought it was amzing. I didn't see Bush's so this was my first and I thought it was amazing. The way everything was planned. I watched it in school, and we all were blown away of how great it was. He really knew what he was talking about. I have great faith in him. I also believe that us as Americans are putting too much presure on him. We say that he can change the nation. We should all stand and take charge as we live in the country. Instead of reling on one person, we have ti all rise up and take charge. Like JFK said, "Ask not what the county can do for you, but what u can do for your country." Also, I was a litlte afraid that he was going to get hurt because of all the recist people out there, that hate him. I was so glad at the end, because I knew that he was ok, and that he was ging to make it.
I can't believe he is our 44th president!! But i would feel better if McCain was our new president. But Obama will make a difference in our country!!
I will remember how many people showed up to watch this amazing event and the prayer/speech that was said in honor of Obama...
I'm glad that bush is out and Obama is in.So im ready for the change are you?
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is amazing. today is a day that we thank god for helping our country progress so much. we went from not letting a black man rule over a store to letting him rule over a country. its just so amazing!!!
I think that the country has showed improvement over the years. Also that African Americans have showed that their not scared to take MLKs words and show that they have goin to greatter things.All I have to say is OBAMA '09!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the only inaguration I saw and I loved it!!! I AM so gald it finally happened!! But one must ask....How do you go to ten parties in one night? I'd fall down after the first three or four...
i think its amazing! I mean, already our 44th president, wow, America IS a place were anything can happen! GO OBAMA!!
I AM READY FOR THE CHANGE!!!!!!!
wow we already have a 44 presiident I really hope Obama can get us out of this hard time
Barack Obama will probably be a good president. I trust him to control our country!
I think President Barack Obama will bring a change to America. And he'll probably achieve a great job governing America!!!!! Yeah~!
Today our SS class watched the inauguration, live. We cheered and yelled. And even the big elephants, republicans of the class said "OBAMA SPEAKS FROM HIS HEART!" The way he gives speeches, you can really tell he loves America and he would do everything to protect us. So help me God. Ha ha.
After this event I feel that the United States have grown imensely in the area of civilr rights. For a father who was unserved at a local resturant because of his color who now can watch his sone become a president is just plain cool.
That is cool.
Im SO PROUD. Propud that we all can come together no matter what race or gender an be here for our new president Barack Obama. Now if we all can continue to do the same and pull our USA together I think we can officially say that we are one, we are the best.
ILL I HAVE TO SAY IS GOBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OBAMA YOU RULE!!!!!! ITS TIME FOR CHANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It definately is time for a change. The first Africa-American President in the United States... Wow. That really shows that the USA is changing every day. I'm glad to be part of this national event.
At first I was a strong McCain supporter, but after hearing all the 'buzz' on the change Obama will bring, it has made me grow some interest in what he can or will do. I'm also happy to be a part of history.
It was rude and disrespectful for those in the crowd to boo George Bush, But Obama and Bush had class and chose to take the high road, unlike those disrespectful members of the audience
Oh My i cant believe this is even happening! i was like 8 when Bush was in the office, and there was like BILLIONS OF peoples there so thats got to be a new record! GO OBAMA!
Our lives are filled with changes, and challenges we have to face everyday of our lives.Today history was not only made but we faced a great change. Our great nation has came so far, and it will continue to grow as or leaders change. I was a McCain supporter. I am not an Obama supporter nor will I ever be one. But as a fellow American I will stand next to my president and I will trust him because as a citizen it is my duty. He is my commander and chief and that will not change for the next four years. I have high hopes for Barack Obama and I hope that he can take this nation to another level and make it better. My prayers are with Mr.President and I hope that he will take this job seriously and make sure that all he has promised to the American Citizens will come true.
Good Luck Mr.President and God Bless.
way to go chief justice roberts to mess up the presidents oath. I think he should have practiced a little more.
I think that the event was very very historic. I belive that Obama came out strong and it is going to be interesting how he takes office. I am happy to see a new president for something different. I hope he helps our country.
I was surprised, but glad, that everything went well at the inauguration. This shows how much America’s matured. I hope that people that weren’t so fond of him before are now fond of him because of the speeches he had made. He’s the president of our country now, and people are starting to realize it’s happening whether they like it or not. Obama has a lot he has to deal with in office, but I’m sure he has a plan to handle it all. I think he’ll make a large change in history.
I think that this country is going to work out. But I feel unsure how to deal with what is going on. I think that we can handle this election and go on to the next and so forth. I am going to keep my head down and let the time go by. I am going to sit and watch as I work to get my degree in criminal justice and work of the military crime areas or other government agencies. I am looking to work hard to keep people safe.
I think that I can held Obama as president I am going to stay neutral with politics because if you support on party and your friend a different party. You may start to fight against each other. So I feel it is better to stay neutral then to fight over what as happen. Good Luck President Obama.
I am glad that Obama is the president I think he can help this country get out of the crisis that we are in there is many issues for the president to make decision like the war and the economy and other issues like healthcare but I am hopeful that he will make the right decisions and make this country great again
I feel that the inauguration is useless. It’s just another inspirational speech. What we need, right now, is not a speech. It’s action, not words, which will make a difference. Change is upon us. All we have to do is open our minds and accept these changes.
i think obama will do good but i am fearful that he another guy with all tlak and no action just like all presidents. The things he promise might not happen till another year.
hope thats not the case, we want action not words
This will be the first inauguration you I will remember and I thought that it was a really godd one. If our new president keeps to his word this will be a better nation.
I think obama should tackle the economy first and then move from there
I think he's speech was very good and he explained things really good for what he is going to start doing in a little while. And it is also time for change in the united states.
Obama shouldn't even think about taking our military back for another 2-4 years. If Obama pulls out our economy will be worse and one the other hand we will have Iraq bombing us and invading our country. If obama is going to be our president for the next four years he needs to work on economy and keep the war so they don't come back at us. our economy is the worst it has ever been. I hope he does what he says he is going to do because if he doesn't I'm not looking forward to these years. Obama just needs to focus on the economy he is not fit to take over the war in Iraq. I just hope he will be as good as other people say he will be. I don't the he will be as good as he is cracked up to be!!!! Obama will hope fully take care of the economy and that is all I'm expecting out of him. Remember keep the war going for the next few years and we will be alright.
sincerely an enraged Republican
My mom went to the inauguration and she said it was AMAZING. She said it was history she would always remeber. I hope President Obama will make a big change in our country
I am very happy about our new president Barack Obama .Evan though im still just a young kid i think our country is ready for a change.i think Obama can make a difference in our world.Also as me being a African American myself i have heard that a lot of people saying that they voted for him just cause he was black and so were they but in my view he was made our new president because he is a great leader.......YOU ROCK OBAMA!!!
Yesterday. I really to be truthfully I didn't feel a thing. I felt that if this day was really important that we should have stayed out of school. Also that so what if he had been born with black skin why this inauguration should be so important. Every one had a person in their family had been slaves. Isn’t America supposed to be divested, and that all men are created equal. Is the reason that people voted for Obama was to show they weren't still segregated of our skin? Are we so insecure that we had to do that, or did we just want the trust of the world because they the do not trust us?
I don't have anything againts him at all. I really hope that he doesn’t get too stressed on the job. He has in my opinion a lot of stuff on his plate that would probably take more time than he has.
I also know that i am just a 13 year old and my opion dosen't count but i wonder if the real reason of why he had been elected.
I think that this is something I will rember becuase he is our first arican american president and that this is also history. I think president barack obama will be a great president and that he will make history!
I thought the event was pretty cool and historic. I found it funny that there were a few mess ups when Obama was taking the oath. And it was also very cool seeing all the people in attendance. What was it like 2 million? That's pretty insane.
I think that he really screwed up .... espacally durring the speach.
My opinion Barack Obama will not pull out the troops anytime soon because he is afraid that if he does, we will lose the battle over there. Obama doesn't know how to lead, he hasn't led anything important till now, when in Congress he voted "present" on any big decision instead of saying "yes" or "no". Also, it seems when I was watching him say his oath, I'm pretty sure that wasn't the FULL oath.
In the REAL world (people that want all this "change) there is two types of change, good and bad. Now think about it, do you think that Obama will change anything (the good way) that will benefit this nation? He is the new change, he will change your tax rate, raising it! Do you really expect him to be a benefit to you?
Obamas speech was very bad, I think they should have a press for the conservatives, so we can be just as brutal as the liberals!!
Obama needs to grow up and take some responsibility! He just relies on others to do the dirty work! He will tax you higher just so that he can give it away to companies or operations for them to FAIL!
I ask again.... is this the country you imagined? I'm pretty darn sure it isn't what I would want! GO RUSH!
I'm so glad that Bush is out of office!!! GOBAMA!!!!! woooooo...I wonder what he is going to do first.....
I can't believe that Obama is acutally our president. I am so happy. It is the most important event in my life. He is so wonderful and real! I am so glad that bush is outta there. Why was he even our president in the first place? ANyways change is coming to America, and i couldn't be more happy.
i hope obama will be a good president he has already broke all lot of promises he has made and if it keeps up we might be run into the ground
I think that the issue that president barrack Obama should tackle fist is immigration because there’s a lot of people in the united states that have been here there whole lives and then they got to be reported to Mexico. I think that is not fair for them because they made their lives here and there children to.
What I think president Obama should do first is take care of on health care because there’s allot of people. Who are sick or need special care but don’t have a doctor or health care and. They can’t afford to go visit the doctor or buy the medicine that they need. Sometimes because of that they get even sicker and are in danger dying, when they eventually get the money it’s too late to cure them.
Well, we have just seen som huge stuff going on!!! I do hope that he will be a great president for America, and that he will change not only america, but also the rest of the world. Finally Bush is out and obama is in 🙂
P.S. I don't come from America!!!
he should face the ecconomy first it might be the worst that is way we have to get out of this mess before it gets worse before parnts lose jobs before kids go hungry before more people lose homes
As a class we were most concerned for the safety of the President. We recognized we were watching history in the making, and as we reviewed parts of his speech we learned getting our country back on its feet will take hard work and involve hard choices. We understand the President called upon us to fulfill our duty to ourselves, our nation and our world. We determined the best way for us to do this is to stay in school and complete our education.
I actually watched a lot of the Inauguration, I think that Obama is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I was kind of irritated that the oath guy messed up the oath. But other than that everything was good. Oh and there was a LOT of people there!!!!!!
I think this webside is good for kid
obama is a true visionary and i am happy that our country isnt in the hands of george w anymore YES WE CAN
I want to start by saying that i am not a fan of President Obama but as he is now our 44th president i will show him the respect that he deserves. I watched the inauguration in 3rd period and i thought it was cool to get to see the first African American president sworn into office. It is the first inauguration i remember so it was cool to esperience that peice of history.
NO-BAMA!
this is a very historic event in my opinion obama becoming president may be just what this country needed.
I do not agree with things that Mr.Obama did during his election. I do not support the things he does either. But as an American Citizen I will stand by my president. I hope that Mr.Obama can do the things that he has promised because if he doesnt he will let many people down. His speech was filled with many things not to be taking lightly, the things that he has promised will take much work, and I pray that he will make those things happen.
So God Bless Mr.Obama
I support as a president, because in all fairness you have won.
I will be able to vote in 2012 and I will make my decision based on the canidates that will be running in 2012 and the issues that Mr.Obama will make these next four years.
I think Obama is right for this job, his has the passion, lots of hope, a dream, and best of all peserverance!
I think that, first of all, Obama should end the war in Iraq. It is the worst thing currently happening in society. Then he should deal with the pressing issue of our economy, as that needs a lot of work too.
Obama is deffinenty right for the job! He cares about America and the people. He also is very insperational. It was most deffinenty time for a CHANGE.
obama is the one we need right now but can he save us thats the question
OBAMA ROCKS!!! He is the perfect person for the job!!!!
I am glade obama is are 44th president of the united states.
Barack obama rocks
I think that it's awesome that our first African-American president was inagurated today. Hopefully, someday america will be over having their first thoughts of aperson based on their appearence.
America will be a great country again. Obama is going to make America strong again. It'll show all the countries in the world that America does have freedom. The will be in peice. Obama has been sent by our Heavenly Father in Heaven.
NO-BAMA!!! I agree with Carly!!!!
I think many things when I saw the inaugural speech, i remember when Former President Clinton made his speech and also remember not thinking much of it. But this time is different I see so many new possibilities with President Obama in power. History is a marker for great men and women, we need more great men and women today in these times set before us. I believe also that President Obama must act! The economy is in great need of change. And that is the change President Obama has promised and the change for which he MUST deliver.
For me this is a great change. however i do agree that i will indeed remember this. GO OBAMA (:
When I saw the inaugeration I thought that it was deffinitly a time of change for America as a whole. I was impressed by the passion Obama seemed to put into his speech and I know that this moment will be remembered. I only hope that the passion he puts into his speech he will put into righting our countrys current issues.
I think that his inaugration was really good. I liked what he said a lot. I also think that he is going to do a good job being president.
i like the fact that OBAMA is the 44th presadent
I am glad Obama is president. He will do a lot of good for our country. I hope he is better than the Bush administration.
I think that he could be the next best things! His words where strong and believable. He had a lot of meaning to his speech and the feeling he interposed put the meaning in to it.
I think that the economy should be the first thing that Obama does. I think this because if our economy gets worse than nothing else will matter anyways.
he should take care of the war frist then the econemy so we don't have men weamean dieing over there
I was and still am a McCain believer. I have watched everything Obama has said and done. I am truly scared for our country, yet I hope he proves me wrong in my believing he has no foundation nor experience of what he now is heading. I can only hope his choices for his team will be strong enough to bring him through.
As for his wife, I hope she can carry her position. Comments on her gown, left me shocked. The material was nice yet from the back it looked like her strap was a mistake in the way it was sewn. It did not do her justice nor was it something I would of expected to see a first lady wear. We have a huge deficit and yet the 150 million plus for the
inauguration shocked and upset me when we have people starving, losing homes, and they have to watch this.
Totally unsure and hoping I am truly wrong and the President can turn our country around, as I am proud to be an American.
The speech was cool, but WAY too long!
How amazing is it that we can go from segregated (African-American and Caucasian) schools to an African-American leader in 60 years? I am so proud to be a part of this shining moment in America's history!
Best wishes, President Obama!
I belive that Obama will become a great leader. He my make a mistake or two but It will all work out! GO Obama!!! and GO CARL!! CARL IS AWSOME!!
what tuesday show... oh. well i was hoping that mc cain would win but lets all hope obama makes the right decisons. 🙂 8 )
I'm sure Obama will do a great job! And obviously, so does America!
Obama!Obama!Obama! that's what my whole grade was doing,we watched almost the whole inauguration. It was awesome. I am so happy he is our 44th president. This will be something that nobody will ever forget.
ON THE DAY OF PRES-BARACK OBAMA'S INAUGURATION,ME & MY SISTER WAS WATCHING IT TOGETHER & I COULD REMEMBER I HAD A TEAR THAT CAME HALF WAY DOWN MY FACE & THEN I SMILED AT MY SISTER (SAYING) "EMOTIONALLY,THE DREAM OF RACIAL EQUALITY HAS BEEN FULFILLED. NOW I KNOW RACISM WON'T GO AWAY,& I DON'T EXPECT IT TO.BUT HAVING( HIM) AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS RACE!. HIS DEMEENER & PRESONA IS CALM COOL COLLECTIVE & HE KNOW"S WHAT HE"S TALKING ABOUT & HE"S NOT JUST FOR ONE RACE,HE'S FOR ALL RACES ,NOT JUST FOR DEMOCRATICS,BUT FOR REPUBLICANS AS WELL,BUT WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT LET HIM DO THE WORK ALONE-WE HAVE TO STEP IT UP A NOTCH IF WE WANT TO WIN THE WAR ON TERROR & PEACE BECAUSE "WE ARE THE NATIONAL LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD".
I'm glad that my grandma was alive to see him be the president of the U.S.A.
Barack Obama being elected for president was a wonderful thing, This election was the first i got to vote on. That was a special thing to me... GO OBAMA!
I have nothing to say about the inauguration because im for McCain
I think it was great that so many people attended Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington DC.
Barack Obama!!! I love him and i am so happy that he has become president. I live in idaho, which is a VERY republican state. many people here do not like him very much. I don't understand how they can hate someone like him. I don't see any flaws with him, hes perfect. The inaugeration is going to be remebered forever.
Inauguration Day 2009 was a very historical moment for America; however, if anyone thinks it reflects or insinuates that Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream has been fulfilled or that the bearers of racism are destroyed are wrong. Though historical it also provides a moment in which every American should have been proud. America is definitely not who she was during the 1960s, but she is not nearly where Dr. Martin Luther King and others envisioned. If for a second we think that we are all equal in the eyes of each neighbor, employer, employee, etc., then we have truly missed the mark and what this day truly means. This day should have been a day of pride and a day of inspiration. Let us not forget where we have been and just where we are going; we are miles away from the “mountain top” of Dr. Martin Luther King, though he would have been proud of such an accomplishment.
i attended and stood in the cold for almost 4 hours but to be apart of history is way worth it
I am so glad that obama is are president. I just hope he is a good one.
i am glad that president obama won the election,because now many people can find jobs outhere now and they can do things that they couldn't do when we had our old president.i heard that they were going to live the day of live in inspiration. i am also glad that he won because at the norgation him and his wife were very honered to be there at the party and have fun with their kids and family.
I was wondering, you said that the president elect offically becomes president at 12:00 noon, and you also said that he said the presidential oath at 12:05. what would happen if he refused to say the oath? he is officially president already, but he never said what was required by law? i know this is likely never to happen, but what would they do if someone decided to do this?
I think Obama deserves being the 44th president THAT WAS AMAZIING right after Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
GO OBAMA
That was a great day and a great weekend. Despite the cold weather causing some problems with the music and Roberts messing up the oath of office, it was awesome! Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. would have been very happy. But he would also say that there is still work to be done. So, now we must get started.
Well first off it makes me mad how just because bush didn't do to good it means that every republican is bad and the fact that everybody
says that bush spent all this money but obama spends 3x the ammount of bushes inauguration just on security issues. and obama plans to spend 1 trillion dollars on a stimulas package is not what we need, we need more support in iraq to end the war and show terrorists that we are a nation not to be messed with. 9/11/01 was a day to remember not for good but for bad, on the streets people were saying "lets take them out before they do it again" and all bush was doing is answering to our calls of help, and all the people at the inauguration who were booing bush, the man who took the terrorists under control, and you should all cut the man some slack. I am a McCain fan and always will be, and when obama was elected president I said "you know what, ill give this guy a chance" but now i am mad on how much money he is spending.
I'm am very displeased with Pres. Obama's stimulus package that cost 1 trillion dollars! The repulicans on capitol hill want to do the exact samething that would cost 100 billion dollars less! Furthermore, obama said he would take all the troops out of iraq at the end of 2009 but miraculously he just agreed to keep my cousin's sector bttalion there till June 2010 not 2009. I'm a McCain supporter and always will be. But, Obama has done a good job with the helath care bill.
u should focus on more of the small buisnesses rather thatn the larger buisnesses because they r the ones who get all of the attention
you should pay more attention the small business companies then all the big business companies
Honestly i didn't like President Obama, but now he's my president. Although i think he's promising a little to much i now think he can do anything if he uses his head for something other than to hold a hat.
as i said he should work on the economy first, becasue thats the problem right here, right now, no way around it.