Hope, Expectations Soar Ahead of Obama Inauguration

WASHINGTON -- For most of the public on the National Mall Tuesday, their best view will be of a jumbo television screen. Hundreds of thousands had filled into the 2-mile stretch of parkland hours before Barack Obama was to take his oath of office.
The outpouring of so many people -- smiling people -- to celebrate the inauguration of America's 44th president by itself sends a signal about the expectations that will tug at Obama once he is sworn in Tuesday.
The president-elect throughout his campaign pledged to unite a country divided over the decision to invade Iraq, the handling of the economic crisis, religious beliefs, race and countless cultural wedges. And as Obama takes the oath of office outside the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, millions of people are prepared to give him that chance.
"This is the least partisan day of the whole year in this country," said Kasey Pipes, former speechwriter for President Bush. "In some sense everyone is pulling for Obama. It's a very unique moment in history and I think he's going to take advantage of it."
With Obama's inauguration just hours away, thousands upon thousands of out-of-towners had descended on Washington, D.C., to attend the ceremony and parade Tuesday, and take part in the accompanying revelry over the weekend.
They filled nearly every patch of ground from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument for the celebrity-studded kick-off concert Sunday, and on Monday crammed into the space in front of the Capitol steps just to catch a glimpse of the spot where Obama will make history as the first black president. more..http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/19/hope-expectations-soar-ahead-obama-inauguration/
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