Notes from the Historic Inauguration

Sorry this took me so long to finally post. I arrived back from Washington D.C. at 2 a.m. on Wednesday after covering the inauguration. Slept two hours and came back to work. Needed a day to recover.

I know that you've probably read countless stories about Inauguration Day. This is is my version of what it was like covering the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. (Oh and in case you are wondering why I didn't post it on Inauguration Day, I couldn't. Terrible BlackBerry service. Perhaps a security issue. Perhaps a log jam. Either way, here it is.)
 

Monday, January 19
5:55 p.m.

It's Monday, January 19th and I'm on my way to the inauguration. I am so excited! My oldest son Logan begged me to allow him to come down with me. His school has done a fantastic job teaching him throughout the past year about the election and the historic significance of this inauguration. He's only 7 years old but the passion with which he speaks about this presidency and American politics makes me so very proud.

The Washington Monument

Over the past couple of weeks, my husband and I have had to face a challenge we wouldn't wish on anyone. We learned that our oldest son Logan has a problem with one of his eyes. We had absolutely no idea, nor did his teachers or our friends or family. My husband and I sat in what we thought would be a routine doctor appointment with Logan. We quickly realized it was no longer a routine check-up when our 7-year old couldn't make out what we thought were huge letters and figures across the room with one eye. Within minutes our son was diagnosed with Amblyopia. Essentially, his brain is failing to communicate to one of his eyes. One eye is perfect but the other needs immediate care and attention. In order to strengthen the weak eye, he must wear an eye patch for ten hours a day on the strong eye and immediately begin wearing glasses. If you're the parent of a 7-year old, you know that it couldn't come at a more challenging time for a little boy who is just becoming aware of peer pressure and teasing.

I tell you this story because last Wednesday my son's class met in the Quaker Meeting House at their school to talk about Martin Luther King Jr. Logan happens to go to a Friends School in Manhattan much like the Friends School that Sasha and Malia are going to. In fact, my son's principal used to be the principal at the Sidwell Friends that President-elect Obama's kids are attending. The morning meeting takes place weekly in the lower school although it seats 650 kids or the entire student body. The school will never accept more kids than the Meeting House will allow. It's a Quaker tradition to observe a moment of silence and in that silence when something is happening politically, socially or just because, kids are encouraged to stand up in that moment of silence in front of the student body and speak their mind one at a time. Last Wednesday, each kid in Logan's first grade class passed a sign around with the words "Martin Luther King Jr." on it. They held the sign above their face and described in their own words what courage is. My son Logan held the sign over his face and said, "Courage is wearing an eye patch and glasses to school." My husband and I were not there at the time, but about five or six parents grabbed us later that day while watching our children perform in a recital to tell us about what Logan said. There wasn't a dry eye in the Meeting House. It still wells me up with tears just thinking about it. Logan did something that I am not sure many of us would have the courage to do -- he pointed out his weakness and, instead of hiding behind a sign, behind a sense of shame, he said this is who I am and this is hard for me. I'm scared, a little embarassed but I am not afraid. I have never been more proud of my son.

I bring this up not only because today is Martin Luther King Day but because President-elect Obama will have to exercise humility, restraint and courage when he takes the oath of office tomorrow. In the Wall Street

These are the media risers where we were situated. We were on the top tier (5th level) next to an FNC spot and Sky News.

Journal a couple days ago Karl Rove, the former senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush wrote an op-ed entitled "Welcome to the White House, Mr. Obama." The subtitle, "The honeymoon doesn't last long." For President-elect Obama, the expectations and anticipation could not be greater. The tasks ahead could not be more challenging. He has to turn an economy around at its weakest point, convince the American people that he has the tools and know how to make it happen and at the same time he has to introduce himself to the world as the 44th President of the United States. On one hand, I envy him greatly and on the other hand, I don't envy him at all as the road ahead will be filled, in his own words, with "potholes."

Twelve years ago, in 1997, I was fortunate enough to attend President Clinton's second inauguaration. I was 24-years-old at the time. I had dreams of working in the government and thought I would one day apply to work in the White House Fellowship program. I was working at Morgan Stanley as a trader. As I look back now, I was so young, idealistic and drawn to Capitol Hill. I was convinced that I was going to reform the educational system in America. The country was well-respected. Clinton was very well regarded and had just completed a succesful first term. The economy was on an upswing. Things were really good.

Fast forward to 2005 for President George W. Bush's second inauguration. I was a rookie journalist. I had just joined the Today Show as a correspondent. I was invited down to the nation's capital to participate with the rest of the NBC News team for their inauguration coverage. I was scared to death but as excited as one could be. It was on that day four years ago that I met Tim Russert for the very first time in our Washington D.C. bureau. I had been a fan of Meet The Press for years and looked up to Tim. I had that look of the new kid on the block. As green as could be. I remember thinking I don't belong in this room. Brian Williams, Matt Lauer, Katie Couric, Tim Russert, Andrea Mitchell....I was a fish out of water. I'll NEVER EVER forget what that felt like. It was so scary and yet so cool to be with people that I admired most of my life. The world was a different place. The War in Iraq, WMDs, a polarized country in a split between the electoral and popular vote with a lawsuit in Florida that lasted much longer than anyone of us had anticipated.

West Side of the Capital at the National Mall

This afternoon, as I read about Lincoln's and Roosevelt's inaugurations and so many others, I was reminded why this ceremony, this passing of the baton is so crucial to the foundation of this country. The sense of pride, history and grandeur of this moment. We too often forget that in the history of this great country we have only had 56 presidential inaugurations. The first Inaugural procession (parade) started under George Washington in 1789 in New York of all places. The seat of the U.S. government didn't exist in Washington D.C. until 1801. Inauguration Day was March 4th, the final day of the Congressional session. It 1937 it was moved up to January 20th. It was not until January of 1981 that the Inaugural ceremony was moved to the west front of the Capitol for more spectators to observe. I didn't realize until today that eight vice presidents took the oath of office upon the death of a President and one upon the resignation of another President. The shortest inaugural address was 135 words in George Washington's second inauguration. The longest, William Henry Harrison in March of 1841, with 8,445 words on a bitter cold day. He died one month later of pneumonia. The history of this great country is so rich, and yet it took an inauguaration for me to remind myself why I am so blessed to live in this country.

I wish my grandparents were alive to see this. They witnessed the Civil Rights Movement, survived the Holocaust, the introduction of motor vehicles, two World Wars, watched the first televised debates with John F. Kennedy, saw a man walk on the moon, lived the American Dream and tomorrow their hard work, perserverance and sacrifices will lead to the first African American man becoming the 44th President of the United States.

Tuesday, January 20
5:45a.m.

Oh my goodness. It's hard to believe what we went through to get here. We are now situated at our platform / riser on the National Mall on the West side of the capital. The crowds are tremendous. We woke up really early, went to our bureau at 3:30 in the morning. I had my hair and makeup done and then we made our way over here. We were supposed to take a van but it left without us. I had to beg a car service to drive us over here. The streets were blocked off everywhere, security barraced just about every entrance to the Mall. We were told to walk under the 3rd street bridge. I bribed a driver who got us to within seven blocks of our spot. The crowds are huge and bundled up. It is FREEZING. I hope I dressed warm enough. I brought hand and foot warmers. I am carrying stacks of paperwork. A little nervous about getting through everything. I am anchoring my two morning programs and doing hits all day on FBN and FNC. I've been reading about U.S. history and all of the pageantry and decorum of the traditional Inauguration ceremony. I hope I remember it all. To be honest it was kind of cool preparing for today. It was like going back to my American history classes in college and high school, only I wish I retained more. There is something about this capital. I love coming to Washington DC. It's pure magic. There is something so regal about this city. The architecture, the power, the promise, the hope, the security, the knowledge that the people we elect in these offices work for us, this is our voice. It's an amazing place. I can't wait to take my boys down here.

1:15 p.m.

WOW!!!!! I just stepped off the podium for the first time in 8 and 1/2 hours. My body is so tight and tense. It is unbelievably cold. Thank goodness I dressed in ski gear. I am wearing ski pants with three layers on my lower body and four layers on top in addition to my coat.

Thankfully I went out and bought a pair of Ugg boots a couple days ago. I swore that I would never wear Uggs. I never liked how they looked and I never by anything trendy but they are really comfortable and more importantly, have kept my feet warm. Despite gasps and discontent with the fact that I am wearing a hat (not

President-elect Obama now President Obama just sworn in. The crowd went wild.

all that appreciated in TV for obvious reasons), I am wearing one and I couldn't be happier. My ears are numb. Without this hat, they might have fallen off. Am I kvetching or what? Ok enought about the conditions. This has been an unbelievable day. I am so proud of what I just witnessed and continue to witness. This is history in the making. The things I will be able to tell my children about today will linger in my memories for decades to come. I don't care whether you're a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, black, white, brown or gray, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist, this day is remarkable. I am so proud that I can call myself an American and that I live in the greatest Democracy in the world. The performances were tremendous. The crowds have been chanting "Obama! Obama!" as though they were at a rock concernt. I was amazed while he spoke at how the crowd was listening to his words, digesting the moment. I took notes documenting where the crowd clapped and allowed him to breathe. It was a terrific speech full of honesty, integrity and hope. I don't envy what the President has inherited. He's right, "we are in the midst of a crisis." He's right, "starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." He's right, "what is required is a new era of responsibility, a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining our character, then giving our all to a difficult task." He has laid the groundwork, the foundation, now he has to convince us that he can guide this country in the right direction. We have to give him a chance.

5:20 p.m.

It's just past 5 p.m. I was scheduled to do a hit on Happy Hour but it was just cancelled. Halleluja! I love the show but a break is a blessing. More time to warm up. I'm sitting in the trailer with the FNC and FBN crews watching the parade. We just watched the President and First Lady exit the motorcade and they are now walking in the parade. Still can't believe what I am witnessing. It's so nice to get to see some of the coverage. The trailer has a satellite dish which has allowed us to watch the coverage. A rarity for me because I've been standing on our podium outside for over a dozen hours. Just had a cup of chicken noodle soup. Tasted great! Desperate for food. So far I've had a hot pocket (never had one before and will never have one again), Campbell's tomato soup, and now Cup of Noodles. The crew supplied the truck with anything and everything that we could heat up in the microwave. It's like being in college all over again.

8:40 p.m.

Karen (my producer) and I snuggling up. What would I do without Karen?

It's over!!!! What a day. I am pooped. Every part of my body is tense but wow was that amazing. We arrived in our position at the National Mall at 5am and just left at 8pm. To tell you it was a nightmare moving around the capital is an understatement. After my last hit tonight with Neil Cavuto on Scoreboard we went back to the trailer only to find out that EVERY road around us remained closed. We just walked a little less than a mile from the National Mall back to our hotel. The streets were empty. It's bitter cold. Only police cars, baracades and trash all over the streets. We were a little bummed or better yet frustrated that a car couldn't come to grab us and that the Metro was shut down in our neighborhood but between you and me, it was a beautiful walk back. I wasn't thrilled at the outset but it was beautiful to see the streets empty after watching millions cram into the streets earlier this morning.

Wednesday, January 21
2:35 a.m.

I am wiped out. We just drove back from Washington D.C. after covering all of the days events. My body is aching from shivering for 15 hours but if I could do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. By the end of the night I was still riding on adrenaline but I longed for a hot shower and a warm bed. Now to sleep for a couple of hours before I see you in the morning.

Here is Mike, camera man extraordinaire!