Singers, musicians, vendors and a veteran parade planner tune up on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, for President Obama's Monday inauguration. (Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune)
President Barack Obama urged Americans on Monday to reject political "absolutism" and partisan rancor as he kicked off his second term with a call for national unity, setting a pragmatic tone for the daunting challenges he faces over the next four years.
Obama's ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol was filled with traditional pomp and pageantry, but it was a scaled-back inauguration compared to the historic start of his presidency in 2009 when he swept into office on a mantle of hope and change as America's first black president
With second-term expectations tempered by lingering economic weakness and the political realities of a divided Washington, Obama acknowledged the difficult road ahead even as he sought to build momentum from his decisive November re-election victory.
"We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate," Obama said as he stood in the wintry cold atop a giant makeshift platform on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall.
Looking out on a sea of flags, he spoke to a crowd of up to 700,000 people, less than half the record 1.8 million who assembled four years ago.
Obama arrived at his second inauguration on solid footing, with his poll numbers up, Republicans on the defensive and his first-term record boasting accomplishments such as a U.S. healthcare overhaul, ending the war in Iraq and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
But battles are looming over budgets, gun control and immigration, with Republicans ready to oppose him at almost every turn and Obama still seemingly at a loss over how to engage them in deal-making.
A flag-waving, cheering crowd of hundreds of thousands applauded as Vice President Joe Biden took his oath from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, then a few minutes later, when Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., administered the oath to the President.
Four years ago, Obama took office with the country in the midst of two wars and the worst economic crisis in more than half a century. His second inauguration arrives with one war over, the other winding down and the economy recovering, but with Washington dominated by a bitter political stalemate that reflects a deep partisan divide in the nation.
The inaugural ceremonies, themselves, highlighted the idea of bipartisanship and continuity of American democracy. Two of Obama’s predecessors, Democrats Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, were among the dignitaries gathered at the Capitol’s West Front.
So, too, were many of the congressional Republicans who have battled Obama through the past four years. The country’s two living former Republican presidents, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush were not present; the elder Bush recently was recently released from a hospital in Houston after a bout with bronchitis.
Chicagoans in D.C., 'vested in his success'
Spencer Gould and his wife, Ardenia, of Chicago, arrived at the Capitol early enough to get seats on the front row of their section, directly center of where the president will take the oath of office.
For about a minute, Gould said, he considered staying at home in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, but quickly realized that he could be no place else but here.
"We have worked on all of his campaigns," said Gould, 38. "We go back to when people couldn’t pronounce his name. It has been such a great experience to watch him go from someone no one knew to a world leader."
Four years ago, he said, he wanted to be part of the historical moment. This time, he came to show his support.
His wife, Ardenia, 37, said this time seems more subdued, compared to the electrifying experience of 2008.
"I feel vested in his success," said Ardenia Gould, who started out working on his senate campaign.
In his next term, she said, she would like to see the president use his power to push his policies through.
"I want to see him flex his political muscle and move this country in the direction it needs to go, regardless of what happens on the other side of the aisle." she said. "Now is the time to play hard ball."
She said she supports the president’s push for gun control and she does not want him to back down from that.
"Our kids are under siege, so I hope he can do something about gun control," she said. "That and keeping us from falling off the fiscal cliff are my two biggest concerns."
Her husband said he would like to see the president address trade issues so that more America-made products are available to consumers.
"I want to support our economy but it’s very hard to find products made in America," he said. "I’d love to see more of those on the shelves."
First family's fashion for the day
First lady Michelle Obama chose a navy-colored coat and dress by designer Thom Browne on a day when she’ll be the most-watched woman on the planet.
The fabric for the ensemble was based on the style of a man’s silk tie, an aide said.
Known for mixing and matching haute couture and off-the-rack pieces, Obama chose a necklace from Cathy Waterman, a cardigan by Reed Krakoff and a belt and shoes from J.Crew.
Daughter Malia, 14, picked out her clothing from J.Crew. Sasha, 11, went more upscale with a Kate Spade coat and dress.
After the inauguration, the first lady, who is sporting new hairstyle featuring bangs, plans to give her outfit to the National Archives, the aide said.
Former Obama pastor in town
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the president's former Chicago pastor whose sermons touched off a firestorm in the 2008 political campaign, urged today that Barack Obama heed the words of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and transform the country into the world's "No. 1 purveyor of peace."
Wright, in the capital today but skipping the inauguration, recalled a speech by King during the Vietnam war, when the civil rights leader denounced the U.S. as "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world."
Obama tweet: 'Let's go'
Obama, seeking to build on momentum from his decisive re-election on November 6, will lay out a vision for the next four years in his inauguration speech while trumpeting several notable first-term achievements, including a healthcare overhaul, ending the war in Iraq and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
"We have a chance to finish what we started. Our work begins today. Let's go," Obama said in a pre-inauguration message on Twitter.
The pageantry of his swearing-in is purely ceremonial, with Obama having already taken the oath of office Sunday in a low-key event held in the White House. Obama, sworn in by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., was joined by the First Family for the official start to his second term in office.
Obama is expected to avoid a partisan tone in his inaugural speech, though that by no means clears the air in Washington, with battles over gun control, budget cuts, immigration and more waiting for the president after Monday’s celebration.
The event will include performances from Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor and a rendition of the national anthem from Beyonce. Following the swearing-in, the long standing traditional inaugural parade will commence.
And capping off the day, two official inaugural balls will be held for members of the military and their families, along with those who were quick enough to purchase limited general admission tickets.
Watch the stream above to follow the inauguration live, or keep up with the latest updates from the stage and from the crowds on Politics Now.
Tribune reporters Dahleen Glanton, Katherine Skiba, Reuters and the Los Angeles Times contributed.
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