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Hundreds Of Floridians Will Witness History

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By BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: January 19, 2009

Updated: 01/19/2009 11:23 pm

WASHINGTON - In this city blanketed by hundreds of thousands of visitors, tight security and giddy celebration amid the winter cold, Barack Obama takes his historic oath of office today as the nation's 44th president.

The anticipation surrounding the inauguration of the first black president is tempered, however, by the challenges facing a country tired of war, frightened of economic turmoil and looking for better times.

"I am making a commitment to you as your next president that we are going to make government work," Obama said Monday during an event to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

However, he added, "Everybody is going to have to pitch in, and I think the American people are ready to do that."

Before Obama takes the oath, Joe Biden will be sworn in as vice president. Then, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath to Obama with the same Bible used to swear in Abraham Lincoln.

In his inaugural address, Obama is expected to outline the challenges ahead, but also portray the nation as equipped to emerge even stronger and more united.

'The Thrill Of My Life'

Hundreds of Floridians will be among the nearly 2 million people expected to be on hand for Obama's swearing-in, speech and inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa has said the event is, "The thrill of my life." Castor will be attending her first inauguration as a member of Congress, and will have a close-up, VIP view of the proceedings.

Both of the state's U.S. senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, as well as other Tampa Bay area federal lawmakers will also be in attendance. Gov. Charlie Crist and his wife, Carole, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and a number of other Florida politicians plan to be in town for the swearing-in.

A Symbol For Many People

Obama will move in to the White House on a wave of goodwill. An ABC News/Washington Post poll put his favorability rating at 79 percent, the highest for an incoming president since Ronald Reagan.

Obama has become a symbol of different things to different generations and races, said Karen Thurman, the Florida state Democratic chairwoman, who hosted a well-attended "open house" coffee Monday for Floridians at Florida House on Capitol Hill.

For many blacks, Obama's arrival into the Oval Office underscores how far the country has come, and a confirmation of the dream King had.

"I've been looking forward to seeing a black president in the White House for so long; I've been waiting since I was 7 years old," said Almeta Butler, 59, a University of South Florida employee from Tampa. "I am so happy for what this man has accomplished."

For others, Obama represents a new and different type of politician, who speaks more directly to their younger generations.

"I think there is a new energy there, and that he represents a type of leader willing to work more collaboratively on behalf of the American people," said Robin Didden, 35, a bank project manager from Tampa.

Tyler Placeres, 16, a Robinson High School 11th-grader, is one of six teens from the Boys & Girls Club chosen to fly to Washington. He says he doesn't even really think of Obama as being a politician who is black.

"I think of him as an American politician," Tyler said. He said Obama is somebody who has changed politics in a lot of ways, including "the way he can talk and win a crowd over."

Tightest Security Ever

Overall, this 56th inauguration and its events - balls, luncheons, dinners, today's parade and other happenings - carries the theme "A New Birth Of Freedom."

Yet it is being held under the tightest inaugural security ever.

More than 9,500 federal, state and local police officers, along with 10,000 National Guardsmen, will be on hand for the inaugural ceremony and subsequent parade, all coordinated by the Secret Service.

Bridges from Virginia into Washington are closed to public traffic, and many downtown streets - about 3.5 square miles - are blocked off. Several Metro stations will be closed or open for limited use during the day and surveillance cameras will be employed all around.

The nearly 2 million people expected to descend on the secured National Mall for the inauguration could face up to three-hour waits at 13 designated entry areas.

Temperature In The 20s

Along with the tight security, cold weather is to continue in the nation's capital.

After a dusting of snow Monday, forecasts call for cloudy weather today with temperatures mainly in the 20s during the inauguration. With the wind blowing, it will feel more like the teens on the National Mall.

More than 10,000 people from 50 states will follow the president and vice president from the Capitol on the 1.5-mile parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue starting about 2:30 p.m. Among the participants will be the Florida A&M University Marching "100" band from Tallahassee, the Taravella High School Band from Coral Springs and members of the Endeavor Crew representing NASA.

Later in the day will come other official events, including 10 balls to be hosted by Obama and his wife, Michelle. A "Southern State" ball will be shared by Floridians with those from 10 other states.

However, the centerpiece of today's events will be Obama's inaugural address.

Obama's scheduled 12:01 p.m. address is anticipated to run about 20 minutes. It is expected to refer to other crisis periods in U.S. history and to the actions of other presidents that led the country out of difficult times.

Specific details of Obama's first-year agenda will mostly come in his State of the Union address to Congress, expected in February or early March.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673.

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