Obama begins his second term

WASHINGTON — President Barack Hussein Obama, the nation’s 44th president, was formally sworn in for a second term on Sunday in a private White House ceremony.

The Democratic president stood with first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, as he took the oath of office admin- istered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. using the first lady’s family Bible.

The president hugged his wife and said, “Thanks, sweetie.” Sasha told him, “Good job, Daddy,” and Obama replied, “I did it.”

The formal ceremony, held just before noon Sunday and lasting about a minute, was necessary to fulfill the U.S. Constitution’s requirement

for presidential terms to begin on Jan. 20.

Obama will repeat the oath Monday at the U.S. Capitol in front of hundreds of thousands of people; Roberts, whose flub of the oath at the 2009 inaugural ceremony led to a “do-over” the next day at the White House, also will deliver the ceremonial oath Monday before the president gives his second inaugural address.

A few hours before Obama’s second term began, Vice President Joe Biden took his oath of office, administered by Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Naval Observatory, in front of about 120 people, mostly family and friends.

Obama, 51, the nation’s first black president, and Biden, 70, laid a wreath earlier Sunday at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

A few members of the Obamas’ extended families, including the president’s two half-sisters and the first lady’s mother and brother, were present at the swearing-in.

‘Hopeful’ speech coming

David Plouffe, one of the president’s chief political strategists, said Sunday on CNN that the president will give a “hopeful” speech Monday and “remind the country that our founding principles and values still can guide us in a changing and modern world.”

Plouffe said the president’s speech will focus on his vision for the country while his State of the Union address Feb. 12 will deal more with policy details.

The president is in the midst of a struggle with congressional Republicans over reducing spending. He is also planning to pursue gun control measures and immigration reform in his second term.

Singers Beyonce, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson are scheduled to perform at the inaugural ceremony, after which the president will eat lunch with members of Congress in the Capitol.

Obama then will watch the inaugural parade, which will include the Union High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from Tulsa.

The president also is expected to attend two inaugural balls Monday night featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Soundgarden and others.

Oklahomans at ceremony

Dozens of Oklahomans are expected to attend the public ceremony Monday.

Several Oklahomans, both Democrats and Republicans, attended a party organized by the Oklahoma State Society in Washington on Saturday night.

Oklahoma state Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, scrambled Sunday to find inaugural tickets for about 45 people on a bus chartered from the Oklahoma City area.

Shelton, who also attended Obama’s historic first inauguration four years ago, said he noticed the crowds were much smaller this time.

In 2009, a record 1.8 million people attended.

Shelton said “people are still very enthusiastic about the president.” He said the expected lower attendance could be attributed in part to the high hotel rates, the travel expense and the fact the 2009 ceremony took place in frigid weather.

“It took my feet probably six months to recover,” he said.