‘CONGRATULATIONS, MR. PRESIDENT’
WASHINGTON — With his wife and two daughters beside him, President Barack Obama placed his hand on a Bible and took his oath of office for the second time on Sunday, marking the beginning of his encore as the 44th president of the United States.
The intimate gathering inside the White House’s Blue Room was a prelude to Monday’s events, where U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts will again administer the oath, this time publicly. Unlike four years ago, Roberts did not flub the oath, this time, reading it from a card.
“Congratulations, Mr. President,” Roberts said afterward.
“Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice,” Obama replied. “Thank you so much.”
Obama kissed First Lady Michelle Obama, whom he called “Sweetie.” He told his daughters, Sasha and Malia: “I did it.”
Sasha replied: “You didn’t mess up.
president must be sworn in to his new term by Jan. 20. Tradition though, is the public event does not take place on a Sunday, which is why a second swearing-in as well as Obama’s inaugural address and parade will happen on Monday.
Though Sunday’s event went off with little fanfare, it marked a second chapter for a man who made history in 2008 by being elected the first African-American president of the United States.
While his 2009 inauguration drew record-breaking crowds, the excitement in Washington is tempered this time. Crowds are so far thinner with planners expecting 500,000 to 700,000 this year com- pared to an estimated 1.8 million in 2009.
Hotel rooms downtown were available as recently as last week.
Obama’s second term begins in the backdrop of a dim reality.