Obama sworn in for 4 more years in office
By The Associated Press
This article was originally published January 20, 2013 at 10:26 a.m. Updated January 20, 2013 at 11:12 a.m.
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PHOTO BY SUSAN WALSH / AP
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.
WASHINGTON — Stepping into his second term, President Barack Obama took the oath of office Sunday in an intimate swearing-in ceremony at the White House, the leader of a nation no longer in the throes of the recession he inherited four years ago but still deeply divided.
The president, surrounded by family in the ornate White House Blue Room, was administered the brief oath of office by Chief Justice John Roberts. With Obama’s hand resting on a Bible used for years by Michelle Obama’s family, the president vowed “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” echoing the same words spoken by the 43 men who held the office before him.
About a dozen family members were on hand to witness Obama’s swearing in, including the first lady, daughters Malia and Sasha, the president’s sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and her family. Mrs. Obama’s mother Marian Robinson, and the first lady’s brother, Craig Robinson and his family. A few reporters also were in the room.
The president will repeat the swearing in ritual again Monday on the west front of the Capitol, before a jubilant crowd of up to 800,000 people.
Sunday’s smaller ceremony was a function of the calendar and the Constitution, which says presidents automatically begin their new terms at noon on Jan. 20. Because that date fell this year on a Sunday — a day on which inaugural ceremonies historically are not held — organizers scheduled a second, public swearing-in for Monday.
The mood in the nation’s capital was more subdued during this year’s inaugural festivities than it was four years ago, when Obama swept into office on a wave of national optimism, becoming the first black man to hold the nation’s highest office. Since then, he has endured fiscal fights with Congress and a bruising re-election campaign — and has the gray hair and lower approval ratings to show for it.
Ahead of his swearing in Sunday, Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden, solemnly honored the nation’s fallen soldiers during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. On a crisp, sun-splashed morning, Obama and Biden placed a large wreath adorned with red, white and blue ribbon, in front of Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknowns. Placing their hands over their hearts, the two leaders stood motionless as a bugler played “Taps.”
From Arlington, Obama joined his family at a church service celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. The president’s public swearing-in on Monday coincides with the national holiday marking the fallen civil rights leader’s birthday, and Obama has invoked King’s memory throughout the lead-up to the inauguration.
Biden took the oath of office earlier in the morning, surrounded by family and friends for a brief ceremony at the Naval Observatory, his official residence in northwest Washington. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, appointed by Obama as the first Hispanic to serve on the Supreme Court, administered the oath of office to Biden, who placed his hand on a Bible his family has used since 1893.
Among the 120 guests on hand to witness the vice president’s second swearing-in were Attorney General Eric Holder, departing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and several Democratic lawmakers.
The president’s address will set the stage for the policy objectives he seeks to achieve in his second term, including speeding up the economic recovery, passing comprehensive immigration and gun control measures and ending the war in Afghanistan. Aides said Obama would save the specifics of those agenda items for his Feb. 12 State of the Union address.
The president launched a weekend of inaugural activities Saturday by heading up a National Day of Service. Along with his family, Obama helped hundreds of volunteers spruce up a Washington area elementary school.
Comments on: Obama sworn in for 4 more years in office
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Redlab says... January 20, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Obama is already sworn in and tomorrow is just a bunch of BS fluff that this country cannot afford but Obama doesn't care, he wants it all. He promised not to raise taxes but everyone paycheck had more taxes taken out so he is a liar and cannot be trusted. Wish people had seen this election day but they did not which is very sad. SMH
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HM2 says... January 20, 2013 at 6:37 p.m.
should have been sworn AT
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RonalFos says... January 20, 2013 at 6:59 p.m.
Obama is doing the same thing that Reagan did. Sworn in one day privately and the next day publicly. I didn't hear anyone complain about that once.
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DontDrinkDatKoolAid says... January 20, 2013 at 7:01 p.m.
Only 800,000?
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cliffcarson says... January 20, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
About all you can hear on Mainstream media is who comes out best Obama or the Republican Party. Oh would I love for the Mainstream Media to pay attention to what is good for the American people.
But sadly it looks like the Republican Party is gearing up again to be an obstructionist Party, trying to continue to fail Obama instead of Governing for the good of America.
Saw a poll on TV today that said 40% of Republicans number one hope was that Obama would fail. Wouldn't it be great if that 40% would only hope for the American people.
Yes RonalFos, to hear many Republicans, this is the first time that any 2nd term President has every held a public Inauguration. Republicans will complain as long as the other skinned President lives in the White House.
I hope for America. That means I also hope for Obama. Finally that means that the Republicans are proving to you that they do not care about the American 99%.
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djigoo says... January 20, 2013 at 7:48 p.m.
I love how butthurt all the Baggers and Klansmen are about Barack HUSSEIN!!! Obama being sworn in for his second term.
I'd use the term "Schadenfreude," but I've heard that it's not nice to employ big words around simpletons.
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Redlab says... January 20, 2013 at 9:39 p.m.
RonalFos - The big difference is the economy and how much in debt we are, we were not in such a dire situation with Reagan and my comment was geared toward the economy aspect. Also I think when we do have a second term president, he should be sworn in without all the nonsense in the oval office. This should be done for all second term presidents and I have felt this way for many years. I find it interesting that you just picked Reagan and no one else hmmmmm.
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RonalFos says... January 20, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.
Most of the expense of the events tomorrow are paid by private funds and we have done these ceremonies in war or peace and in good times and bad. Don't watch if you don't like it.
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Redlab says... January 20, 2013 at 10:17 p.m.
RonalFos - I just asked you a question and yes you did answer it but your last sentence is uncalled for and unnecessary. Mind your manners!
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Redlab says... January 20, 2013 at 10:19 p.m.
RonalFos - Private contributions paying for the parties probably but not all the law enforcement that is being used in the area and from what I understand and read in the Washington Post, every law enforcement person is being used, no one is off, and this is from local and federal. The taxpayers are paying for most of this tomorrow not private contributions.
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inquire says... January 21, 2013 at 7:17 a.m.
If you want to avoid unnecessary law enforcement hours, best cancel all the Razorback games, and all other large sporting events. Or you could just accept that this once every four years event is part of our civic culture. ONE day every FOUR years. Get over it.
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Populist says... January 21, 2013 at 8:12 a.m.
Redlab,
Bah. Humbug! It would be bad for the economy not to skip the public inauguration. It really is a public celebration of our system of government. Hordes of people from all over the country have come here on vacation to celebrate. Kudos to the public servants who made it to the Arkansas State Society event last night. Hundreds of constituents from Arkansas who traveled to D.C. to take part in the inauguration festivities attended the event. The band was fabulous. While I missed Clinton's long winded speech from 4 years ago, my husband and I enjoyed dancing.
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Redlab says... January 21, 2013 at 1:21 p.m.
Inquire and Populist - I have absolutely nothing to get over so quit with that lame excuse and you Obama supporters keep on using it which I find very amusing because as usual and during the campaigning no Obama supporter could ever give a specific reason for voting for him, it was always attaching the other guy. And bah humbug, what are you 8 years old? You cannot think of a better word, guess not because you proved it. Everyone has an opinion and I guess you don't know people who are living paycheck to paycheck and finding it hard to feed families. Thankfully I am not one of them but I know people who live this way. I don't live in Little Rock or Arkansas, did three times and left permanently in 1997 to greener pastures and of course much less crime. At least where I live now I can go to a restaurant at night (re: Outback and being robbed at 6:20 p.m. a short while ago) and go shopping or whatever I want to do. And like I said in a previous comment, how do you like the higher taxes coming out of your paycheck when Obama said he would not raise taxes and he did it anyway, he is a liar and if you don't like my opinion skip over it. You get over yourselves and you need to realize that everyone has their own opinions. Yes, this is extremely sarcastic!!
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inquire says... January 21, 2013 at 2:08 p.m.
Yes, Redlab, I know people living paycheck to paycheck---some of them living no check to no check. They are the people getting government commodities, and I missed seeing all the inauguration so I could be there to help pack and distribute the food to them.
I am a native Arkansas and can assure you that most places in AR have far less crime than Little Rock. They seem to have an unusually bad situation there. I can come and go freely without fear.
I voted for Obama because he was the best choice on issues relating to the elderly, education, the environment, labor, health care, and a balanced approach to simultaneously stimulating the economy and reducing the debt over the long haul. I have very rarely voted for a Republican in my life, and until they quit acting like a bunch of reactionary tea bagger nutcakes, and doing the things they have done the last few years, I never will again.
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inquire says... January 21, 2013 at 2:40 p.m.
Typo. Native Arkansan, before the nitpickers arrive.
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harley1305121514 says... January 21, 2013 at 2:54 p.m.
Redlab.....you really do have to keep in mind what kind of people you are posting to.
There is Populist who claims to be an attorney (or at least went to law school) and claims to be in touch with all of the influential political in-the-know people everywhere and knows the answer to all questions (and I mean ALL)! BUT....she will make you laugh until you cry with most of her answers! You may have heard about her husband avoiding (dodging) the draft during the Vietnam war due to bad knees. Yet she says here that she and her husband enjoyed dancing after missing Clintons long speech. I think her husband can play golf also but I am not sure. He couldn't serve this country that they enjoy....you know...bad knees!
There is inquire....and she will make you cry also....mostly because you will feel sorry for her stupity.
And cliffcarson....he always sees these "polls" and the percentages, very true and very accurate I might add, that tell what ALL republicans are thinking or wishing for! You will laugh at his crap as well!
Redlab you are very right in that you are, by way of the constitution and God given rights, entitled to your opinion and to express those opinions when and where you choose. BUT.....before you can finish saying anything....these NUTS already know you are wrong!
Enjoy the laughs you'll have with their post. I know I do!!!
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djigoo says... January 21, 2013 at 3:21 p.m.
"you will feel sorry for her stupity."
Ahem.
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inquire says... January 21, 2013 at 3:29 p.m.
President Obama was duly re elected President of the United States by both the popular and electoral vote and there is not one thing you can do about it. Not one thing. NOT ONE THING!
Harley, it won't change a thing for you and your internet buddies to keep trying to disparage and ridicule everyone who voted for Obama. You're just making yourself miserable and the rest of us disgusted.
If your party doesn't change, you will be unhappy after the next election, too. Your attitudes don't exactly draw people to you, just the opposite.
Repeat after me: Barack Obama is the President of the United States.
You have wasted almost one month of this new year resenting it, but it hasn't changed it. Wise up.
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Packman says... January 21, 2013 at 4:36 p.m.
Hey harley - Excellent analysis. You are spot on.
Let BH have his day. He was duly elected and deserves it.
Hey Populist - Can you do the Electric Slide? My pilot tried to teach me the Gangum Style dance and I could ride the pony, but that's about it.
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lazybar says... January 21, 2013 at 4:44 p.m.
just swore to uphold the constitution.........first lie of his second term
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thankfulheart says... January 21, 2013 at 6:24 p.m.
I do not agree with President Obama's policies. I didn't vote for him either time, but I will pray for him as he continues to lead our country.
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Redlab says... January 21, 2013 at 6:56 p.m.
harley - I do know about their posts and they can be amusing in a sad way. I especially love inquire's one comparing a razorback game to the inauguration concerning law enforcement. Ignorance is bliss.
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inquire says... January 21, 2013 at 8:34 p.m.
I believe thankfulheart is the only Republican on here who has read the Bible lately. I remember when Reagan was President and frightening us with his sabre rattling and arms build up. Many, many peace and environmental activists all over the country had an agreement to pray for him and for peace at a certain times, all together.
I did not like him or the Bushes, especially G.W., or most of the things they did, but I honestly never spoke of them with the hatred and in such inappropriate terms as you people on here speak of President Obama. When they worried me the most, I prayed that God would lead them. I pray for EVERY president's safety because of all the nuts out there.
Ultra right wing media outlets are making money by working people into a fever pitch of hatred, even when they have to use lies to do it.
There is something just plain unhinged about the level of hatred in people's speech about this president. Those who feel that way are obviously in the minority, but they are filling the country with a dangerous level of hatred.
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NoCrossNoCrown says... January 21, 2013 at 9:04 p.m.
Inquire...you are spot on about the level of hatred spoken by some on the right. Then they want to tell me that "they are christians and believe in god". Every time I encounter one of these, I shake my head and pray to God that He will open the minds of these charlatans who disparage His message of love for ALL of God's children,
ALL OF THEM. As a Christian, I don't alway agree with the ideas that some have, but I know that my God still does not excuse me for my behavior even towards other who claim to love and follow Him and His Son.
I have never owned a bible with an exception chapter, like many here must posess and use as their guide when dealing with others who disagree with them.
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lazybar says... January 22, 2013 at 9 a.m.
as a person i don`t hate king putt but as a president i hate the job he has done.he is far from being a leader of any sort.i don`t hate inquire,it would be hard to hate someone i`ve never met but i do hate would liberals like her have done to our nation.
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Populist says... January 22, 2013 at 9:09 a.m.
Redlab,
Bah, Humbug, of course is an allusion to Scrooge from Dicken's Christmas Carol. I apologize for assuming that any literate person would understand my reference to Ebenezer Scrooge. I was comparing your thought that the inauguration should not be celebrated to Scrooge's thought that Christmas should not be celebrated.
Harley,
You really are just so hateful. You only are revealing how sexist you are when you think that it is a big deal for a woman to be an attorney. I guess that you don't meet that many female attorneys in biker bars.
If you volunteer on campaigns or for political parties, you do get to know politicians. If you practice law, you meet politicians as they often are lawyers. If you grow up in a certain area, you meet politicians. I knew Blanche Lambert Lincoln and Mark Pryor both from Brookhill Ranch Camp. Bill Halter went to Catholic High when I was at MSM. I met Asa Hutchinson and Sheffield Nelson when I was active in the Republican Party. It really is not a big deal. I am sure that many people who comment here know many of Arkansas' politicians through business or personal contacts. Inquire and I both have commented as to how we like John Paul Hammerschmidt. I notice you weren't criticizing me when I was taking up for Asa last week. Your hatred of Obama is just poisoning you. My prescription is to see a doctor and limit your intake of Fox News.
For the last time, my husband has one leg shorter than the other and walks with a noticeable limp. He and I both need knee replacements, and neither of us is allowed to go up or down stairs. If you can walk, you can slow dance. My poor husband grew up dirt poor and has helped build a law firm of 150 employees. He is the type of person you conservatives are supposed to admire, but you indeed despise if when he feels any sympathy or concern for the poor.
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1soni says... January 22, 2013 at 9:34 a.m.
Not sure how any Republican can complain. While the Inauguration was in progress, Virginia Republicans eliminated a Democratic Senator position. The one vote that would have tied the vote was in Washington for the celebration.
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djigoo says... January 22, 2013 at 9:56 a.m.
Lazybar, you want to try that again...in English, this time?
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lazybar says... January 22, 2013 at 10:16 a.m.
goo i don`t hate you either
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djigoo says... January 22, 2013 at 10:43 a.m.
I don't hate you either. I pity you.
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lazybar says... January 22, 2013 at 11:27 a.m.
funny goo thats exactly what i was thinking about you.don`t know why you would think i need pity.i have much more than i deserve.as far as money i have more than the average,i have a great wife and kids,we live in a nice home with plenty of extras,i`m very active in youth programs within my community,and i sleep very well at night.not many can say that,so i`m not one that needs pity.
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djigoo says... January 22, 2013 at 12:18 p.m.
That post just proves that you'll never get it.
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lazybar says... January 22, 2013 at 12:34 p.m.
goo what exactly am i supposed to get?the fact that until i was a teenager we were dirt poor and i worked to make a goodlife for myself and that you like to bash my grammer because you have a better education?or is it the fact there are things in my life that i have you will never have and with the great education that you have that someone else paid for you will never get why you are jealous of me and my life?good ahead make a stab at my wife about being fat and having no teeth.she gets a kick out your comments.oh and i`m quite sure she has a better education than you and she put herself through college not her parents or government handouts
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BillSmith says... January 22, 2013 at 7:08 p.m.
Conservatisim is a scourge on the earth, and should be done away with in a manner as Grover Norquest saying make government small enough to drown it in the bathtub.
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BillSmith says... January 22, 2013 at 7:48 p.m.
Conservatives want elections like in Russia,where the loser wins.
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BillSmith says... January 22, 2013 at 8:30 p.m.
One has to look no further than Virginia than to see the conservative scourge at work:
President Obama has twice won this state even though the legislature and the governor are repugs.
Virginia Senate Sneaks Through Gerrymandering Bill While Country Watches Inauguration
thinkprogress. org/justice/2013/01/21/1475811/virginia-rushes-redistricting/?mobile=nc
*
Legislation would remove 'winner takes all' in Va. electoral votes
Historically, Virginia’s 13 electoral votes have gone to whichever candidate wins a plurality of the Old Dominion’s presidential vote. Virginians gave their votes to Republican presidential candidates in all elections from 1968 to 2004, but in 2008 and 2012 supported Democrat Barack Obama.
Under Carrico’s proposal, the winner of the statewide vote would garner the two at-large electors, with the remaining 11 electors given to candidates based on results in congressional districts.
Had the rules been in effect for the 2012 election, and had all other factors been equal, President Obama would have won six Virginia electoral votes (the two at-large plus four congressional districts) but Republican Mitt Romney would have won seven votes for having won seven of the congressional districts.
*
Again,
Conservatives want elections like in Russia,where the loser wins.
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BillSmith says... January 22, 2013 at 8:49 p.m.
The conservative scourge in America wants to make you think there were no abortions in the US before Roe vs Wade, there have always been abortions and always will be, the question is will a physician perform them in a clinic or someone with a coat hanger in a back alley room.
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BillSmith says... January 22, 2013 at 8:59 p.m.
Joe Scarborough sat down with a panel on Meet The Press Sunday and said the only reason Republicans maintained control over the house in the 2012 election was gerrymandering. “It was just gerrymandering from 2010 that gave us the majority,” he said.
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harley1305121514 says... January 23, 2013 at 1:29 a.m.
Populist.....let's see....I didn't post a comment about whatever it is you posted about Asa because I didn't read your post. Like you, I too have a lot of other things going on in my life and don't spend that much time on posting. Usually I get on line when I need a good laugh and then I read yours, inquire, Bills posts and boy do I laugh!
Why would you say I hate Obama? Show me, Miss Wise woman, where I have ever posted anything even similar to saying I hate the O. You always run at the mouth with accusations of things you say others have said and you have NOTHING to back up what you say. Show Me Something!!!
It is not that I have any problem with a woman being an attorney because I don't! I just can't believe you can make the stupid comments you make (like the one I mentioned above) and could possibly represent someone in a court of law! You speak, but mostly in error! How could you ever win a case speaking about things you can't back up with proof? That's kinda like hearsay. I bet the judges reprimand you a lot for not having proof to back up things!!
Also...you must not know too many other attorneys. There ARE female attorneys in biker bars I frequent!!! BUT....they are smart!!
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Populist says... January 23, 2013 at 6:33 a.m.
Harley,
If I say something inaccurate, please point it out using facts and logic. Rude comments to the effect that I am stupid are just boorish. The ad hominem fallacy is the name given for those who attack the maker of an argument rather than the argument itself. While you may think yourself clever when you make denigrating, insulting comments about me, you accomplish nothing but to reveal yourself to be rude and incapable of civilized social interaction. If you think that you have facts to support your views, you should try to use them.
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