The Inauguration of the President

  By Doug Geed

    So I've gotten a lot of questions about my recent 3-day trip to Washington to cover the inauguration. From family members it's usually "So did you get to meet him?" The answer is "not by a long shot." Although when I was doing one of my broadcasts from the top of the CNN Building, which is a few blocks away from the White House, I did see the President and First Lady walk outside to attend a ceremony. (He didn't wave to me.)

   From friends and colleagues it's usually something along the lines of "So what was 'the moment' you'll always remember?"
   That's a lot harder to answer. In my earlier blog I talked about the hour-long wait we had at the train station just to BOARD a train! The line of people that wrapped around the entire train station and parking lot will forever be etched in my mind.
    Of course, there's watching all the dignitaries walking out on the steps of the Capitol. There was the thunderous applause when Barack Obama strolled out in all of his Presidential "cool and glory." And there's that incredible scene when a new person places his hand on a Bible and assumes the most powerful position on the planet -- without one drop of blood being shed. The peaceful transition of power in our country is something that is so special and unique.

     But I guess what I'll take most from this amazing experience were the images of just plain people -- the everyday Americans who traveled literally from every corner of the country to witness history.
     I saw elderly African-Americans -- like all of us, fighting the huge crowds and cold temperatures, walking for miles. Yet despite their fatigue, there was nothing -- and you could see it in their faces -- NOTHING -- that would stop them from being a part of this magical moment.
    There were college-aged kids who were so vital in getting this man elected. It's an age where they could be cynical or simply disinterested in politics, yet Barack Obama electrified them like no other candidate.  Their cheers of joy -- their satisfaction -- it was evident on their faces. They are the future of this country and they're proud to have made a loud statement about which direction it'll go in.
    And then there was an image that is like something out a movie -- maybe something Steven Spielberg would take months preparing, setting up and filming.
    It was mid-morning of the inauguration and we were near the Washington Monument -- the simple yet elegantly beautiful white stone tower that stands straight up into the air the length of nearly two football fields. On the ground it is surrounded by 50 flags -- one representing each state. The wind was blowing pretty hard and the flags were whipping wildly -- all in unison. And surrounding the entire monument, as far as you could see, were people. I looked to left. Way in the distance, the dome of the U-S Capitol. I looked to the right. Way in the distance, the Lincoln Memorial. Straight ahead -- way in the distance -- the rounded top of the Jefferson Memorial. It was an incredible image. And filling in all the space in between each of those monuments -- and I mean every inch of space -- were people.

    Washington is a beautiful city and it was at its most exciting and electric that day. And it's a beautiful country we live in. You can only hope deep in your soul that we never lose our sense of goodness, fairness, hope and optimism that was in the air that day.

Comments

[John]

I just realized what a cleanup effort this week must have entailed. Not just cleaning up after the nearly two million(!) people left, but getting the algae growth out of the reflecting pools and generally making DC inviting for the masses of tourists. Because the last time I was there, a lot of the attractions looked like dinner was left out over a weekend. And with good reason. Two million people who previously didn't care what the government was doing had a first-hand view.

While it's a safe bet that I won't agree with many of Mr. Obama's policies (and I doubt that many people will, when all is said and done...not that McCain or anybody else offered would be doing much better), I do need to give him credit for, as you pointed out, bringing a lot of people out of their respective shells and looking hard at the electoral and political process.

I'd prefer it if he backed his calls for "change" with people who weren't the very political insiders he bashed just six months ago, but people are watching and trying hard to draw their own conclusions about the country and the world, and this is the first time in my life that I've seen that.

[SUSAN L.RUDNICK]

DEAR DOUG,OUR DAUGHTER MELANIE WAS NOMINATED AS A PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL SCHOLASTIC SCHOLAR FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT.HOWEVER,SHE HAD CONFLICTS BECAUSE SHE IS CURRENTLY A PRE-MED STUDENT AND HAD SVERAL MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEWS SLATED OVER THIS PAST WEEK AND BEYOND.SHE WAS THERE IN SPIRIT AND SHE ALSO VOTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS HISTORIC ELECTION.SHE IS VERY HOPEFUL BUT CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL ACCOMPLISH GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS TASKS HE HAS AHEAD OF HIM.SHE KEEPS SAYING,"WE'LL SEE: AND LET'S HOPE FOR THE BEST;THATS ALL WE CAN DO "SHE IS VERY OPTOMISTIC ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT TO STEM CELL RESEAR[email protected] LEHIGH UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE IS CURRENTLY A SENIOR SLATED TO GRADUATE IN MAY 2009.SHE HAS BEEN WITH THE RESEARCH TEAM HEADED BY PROF.FLOWERS SINCE '2005 BY A PRIVATE GRANT THROUGH THE HOWARD HUGHES FOUNDATION .SHE IS ADAMENT ABOUT FINDING CURES FOR PEDIATRIC CANCERS.YOURS TRULY SUSAN L.RUDNICK

[Patty Aitken]

Doug, I saw your coverage from Washington, and from Chicago the night Barack Obama knew he would be a candidate, and the joy and excitement in your face was incredible! The peaceful transition of power is a small miracle in itself. The inauguration of a new president with new energy and powerful ideas fills me with optimism for our children. Our son Ben was also at the inauguration, right by the Washington monument. Who knows, maybe you were right by him!