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Campbell Brown
Barack Obama Makes History
Aired January 20, 2009 - 20:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, everybody. I'm Campbell Brown. This is NO BIAS, NO BULL. We welcome our international viewers, as Anderson Cooper joins me tonight for this special edition from Washington.
Hi, Anderson.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Campbell, a remarkable day today.
Tonight, the Obamas have 10 official inaugural balls to get to before their first night as the first family is over. It's the record. Bill Clinton holds the record of course for going to the most inaugural balls.
A little later, I will have reaction from around the world to the extraordinary day here in America -- Campbell.
BROWN: All right, we're looking forward to that, Anderson.
We want to get everybody caught up on what has happened here in Washington and what is coming up tonight.
Bullet point one: The Obamas step into history. At the inaugural parade, they jumped out of the limo twice today, walking and waving for blocks, face to face with the excited crowds. And now they're getting ready for a night of back-to-back celebrations. We're going to be live from all the hot spots momentarily.
Bullet point two tonight: President Obama calls for bold, swift action on the economy in his inaugural address. But Wall Street is not ready for change, at least not yet. Today, the Dow industrials fell more than 300 points, going at one point below 8000.
And bullet point number three: Senator Ted Kennedy, still recovering from a brain tumor, he collapsed at the Capitol after suffering an apparent seizure right after shaking hand with the new president. Tonight, he is in the hospital, but we are told that he is doing OK.
And bullet point number four tonight: a family affair, the nation's fascination with Michelle, Malia, Sasha Obama. We're going to break down everything from the first lady's clothes to how one of the Obama daughters is now going digital.
First, though, as always we're "Cutting Through The Bull."
Tonight, is it just a celebration for those who voted for President Obama? The entire nation is the real guest of honor. Once again, when our country is full of doubt, we still have the ability to remind ourselves that the foundation of this republic is strong, and that we are constantly, tirelessly working to improve the experiment known as democracy.
Tomorrow, when Barack Obama gets down to business, he will face scrutiny, intense scrutiny. And, like all presidents, he will be criticized for many of the decisions he makes and the policies he tries to implement. It is the price of leading people who enjoy the right to question everything.
But there is an undeniable magic about any inauguration, when we show the world how to peacefully transfer power with a simple oath of office. And we know that on this day and night, when America single- handedly moved equality a giant step forward, it will be a night that none of us ever forgets.
And let's talk about tonight, D.C. all dolled up, waiting for the Obamas, as they hopscotch from one inaugural ball to the next. They have 10 stops to make tonight. We have got all the party bases covered and then some.
CNN senior correspondent Joe Johns is at the Washington Convention Center, home to, well, frankly half-a-dozen official balls. Randi Kaye is at the National Building Museum, where the Commander in Chief Ball is going on. National correspondent Gary Tuchman is watching the Youth Ball at the Washington Hilton. And national political correspondent Jessica Yellin is having some fun at Ibiza, a swanky D.C. nightclub.
So, Joe, I'm starting with you.
The first family is expected to arrive there a little bit later, their first stop of the night. What can we expect?
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Well, the closest you could get to old home week is going to happen in this room. This is the Home States Ball. It's folks from Hawaii and Illinois. These are the people who know and knew Barack Obama way back when, the community activists, the people in the state legislature, others who knew this man along the way before the historic swearing-in day.
So, we expect a dance with him and his wife. We also expect Barack Obama to make some remarks and talk straight to these folks who have known him for so long and have come here to celebrate with him this amazing night in Washington, D.C. -- Campbell.
BROWN: All right.
And, Randi Kaye, I know the Obamas will make their way over to the National Building Museum for the Commander in Chief Ball. What do they have in store for them there?
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Campbell, right now, we are actually waiting for Vice President Joe Biden and his wife. But the party is well under way here at the Commander in Chief's Ball. We're expecting them any moment now. They will probably have a dance with some of the troops who are here. And when the Obamas show up, they will probably have a dance as well.
But, in the meantime, we're listening to Right On, the '70s band. Jon Bon Jovi is the key entertainer tonight. He welcome be here later in the evening. Comedian George Lopez is the emcee this evening. And Jordin Sparks, the "American Idol" winner back in 2007, she will also be here, and Miss America 2009.
So, it's quite the star-studded formal event here tonight in honor of the president, in honor of our new commander in chief. And the party continues here -- Campbell.
BROWN: All right, Randi, we will check back with you in a bit.
And, Gary, I know you are at the Youth Ball. Of course, young Americans played a big part in getting President Obama elected. So, what is happening there?
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Campbell, the youth ball is just about to start, but Kanye West, Kid Rock, and Fall Out Boy just finished warming up. So, we are now convinced this will be the loudest of the 10 balls tonight, because this is celebrating the nation's youth.
Barack Obama may owe his presidency to the youth vote. So, this ball is dedicated to people 18 to 35 years old. Right now, they're lined up outside the Washington Hilton, about to enter this ballroom. They're expecting more than 2,000 people to be in this room tonight. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will be making an appearance here also and speaking.
But I can tell you, Campbell, if the music is playing when they come in, it will be very unlikely that anybody will be able to talk to the Obamas, because during the warmup, it has been so loud, it's been impossible to hear. I guess they will soften the music a little bit when the new president of the United States comes on in.
BROWN: Explaining your funky headphones there, Gary. Thanks very much.
And, Jessica Yellin, you are at a very fashionable nightclub, I understand, where many VIPs are expected tonight. Who is showing up there?
YELLIN: I did. I got the hot assignment tonight, Campbell. This is not an official ball. This is the hot party of the night.
This is where all the celebrities are going to come when the other balls end. And we are right now in the VIP room, naturally. I will tell you, I know that the people who are going to be here are Rihanna, Josh Groban, Courteney Cox, David Arquette. And then there is a whole list of glittering names of people we think might show up. And we're going to have a chance, hopefully, to talk to a lot of them. So, you let us know what you want us to ask them. And we will do it. It is going to be quite a scene. The event is sponsored by the Recording Artists of America. And it's in honor of a charity, Feeding America, to fight hunger, but also just a really hot party. I'm looking forward...
(LAUGHTER)
BROWN: All right. Yes. Well, you look gorgeous. You're dressed appropriately. We will be checking in with you later as well.
And we do understand that the Obamas have arrived at the Home States Ball. So, we will be checking back in there, in with Joe Johns, who is over there, in just a few moments.
But we want to move ahead now. Toward the end of his inaugural speech, President Obama picked up on a message General George Washington wrote to the American people during the Revolutionary War, when the Continental Army was camping in the cold of winter and the outcome was very much in doubt.
We are going to play part of that speech. This is President Obama speaking General Washington's words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: "Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come; let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: And with me again to talk about the speech today and all the events going on, four members of the best political team on television, CNN senior political analyst Gloria Borger, once again, Republican consultant Kevin Madden, senior political analyst Jeffrey Toobin joining us, and CNN political analyst Roland Martin.
And welcome, guys.
Let's pick up on the conversation we were having a little earlier.
Jeffrey, you are just joining us now.
And you had -- I heard you say earlier today, you weren't as in love with his speech as some other people were. Explain why.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SENIOR ANALYST: I thought this was an extraordinary event. I didn't think this was an extraordinary speech.
I thought there were a lot of different ideas presented in the speech, but there was no theme. But, most importantly, there was no rhetoric, no phrase that stuck in my mind, and, as far as I can tell, there is no phrase that stuck in anyone's mind.
And to be a speech that has a life beyond the immediate, you need something like that. You need, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." We need, "Ask not what your country can do for you."
And this was more like a campaign speech that I think will be perishable.
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Why do need that? Why do we need it?
I mean, I don't recall a single line from '04, 2000, '88 -- I mean, '84. I don't recall any lines. Here's what I think folks will remember. I think folks will say, Obama, first African-American president, the moment, the mass on the Mall.
There was nothing he could have said that will ever even take away from that particular moment, nothing. So, his speech is irrelevant to today, as far as I'm concerned.
TOOBIN: I don't think it's irrelevant.
Look, there have been 56 inaugural addresses. Four of them are remembered, the two Lincolns, Kennedy and Roosevelt ones.
(CROSSTALK)
TOOBIN: And the odds were against it. I think he didn't surmount the odds.
But you know what? He is a brilliant speaker. He has a history of making great speeches. And I think he wanted to do something that he didn't quite do today.
GLORIA BORGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: And he will be remembered probably for the race speech that he gave during the campaign. If you were say, what was the most memorable speech we have heard in the last decade, that could be it, not today.
BROWN: And what -- part of the reason I think we're all going to move on very quickly is everything that is sitting on his plate waiting for him to deal with tomorrow morning, first thing, if not today.
We know that half the staff it seemed like left the ceremony early in order to get to the White House and go right to work, right, Kevin?
KEVIN MADDEN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: That's the thing.
(CROSSTALK)
MADDEN: The sense of urgency right now I think was what made -- we talked a lot about this before, about politics is all about lowering expectations, but it's much more about managing expectations.
And I think that the American public has not managed their expectations because of the fierce urgency of now that Barack Obama has always talked about and the perilous challenges that we face as a nation, both on an economic front and a national security stand -- front.
So, I think that moment has actually hit many of the people who are going to work tonight and setting forward the agenda going forward. And Barack Obama did not give a speech that is going to be remembered. I would agree with Jeffrey Toobin. But I think we will look back on that speech again and we will look at the mileposts that he laid down for his agenda going forward.
(CROSSTALK)
BORGER: He did set out a big agenda. And that was important.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: Let's take a quick break. And I want to talk about that when we come back, which is managing expectations goes well beyond today, when you look at what he has to deal with tomorrow.
And we also have some new video we want to share with you. This is the Obamas leaving the White House. We are expecting them any moment, as we said, at the Home States Ball. That's their first stop of the night. So, we're going to take you there when we come back. Stay with us.
Also coming up, global reaction to this very important day.
And this is one time when the first family is not looking for privacy. We will have the inaugural fashion show starring Michelle Obama. We will tell you why one of the president's daughter also so busy with a camera today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
BROWN: The legendary Aretha Franklin adding her patriotic contribution to the swearing-in of Barack Obama as our 44th president.
Once again, we have got some new video we want to share with you now. This is the Obamas leaving the White House. This was just minutes ago. As I said, we are expecting them any moment now. You can see Obama in his tux I think right there -- expecting them any moment at the Home States Ball. We are going to take you there live as soon as we see them. With me again now, four members of the best political team on television, CNN senior political analyst Gloria Borger, Republican consultant Kevin Madden, senior political analyst Jeffrey Toobin, and CNN political analyst Roland Martin.
(CROSSTALK)
TOOBIN: I don't understand why you didn't follow through on your plan to wear Aretha's hat on the air. You would look so good in that hat.
(LAUGHTER)
BROWN: No one can pull that off but Aretha.
TOOBIN: No, no, you should be wearing it, too.
BROWN: I was about to say, what the panel wants to discuss is Michelle's dress. But we haven't seen it yet. So, we will get to that as soon as we see it.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Campbell, I know for a fact the queen watches CNN. Watch it, Jeffrey. If you get an e-mail, the queen will...
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: ... you.
BROWN: Can we be just a tad serious for a moment? Look ahead to tomorrow, and, well, to the weeks and months ahead. But you saw what -- what the stock market did today.
BORGER: Tanked.
BROWN: It tanked.
You know, this great moment, everybody is celebrating, the euphoria of it all, and tomorrow it is going to be -- challenge is understatement of the year.
BORGER: Well, the problems that were here yesterday and today are going to be here tomorrow. Congress is getting to work on an $825 billion stimulus package.
Here is a little piece of trivia.
MADDEN: That will be a lot more probably by the time they're done with it.
BORGER: That's right.
But here is a little piece of trivia for you. In 1993, Bill Clinton proposed a huge stimulus package. The Democrats refused to go along with because it was too pricey, $19 billion, OK, $19 billion. TOOBIN: Chump change.
(LAUGHTER)
BORGER: Eight hundred twenty-five, 19, OK, so, that gives you the idea.
BROWN: Nothing.
BROWN: That gives you the idea.
Then you have the bank bailout question. Then you have Obama today with this ambitious agenda, talking about everything, health care, energy. You talk to folks in now the Obama administration and they will tell you they're going to go for it all at once, because they understand this is their moment.
BROWN: How do they manage, though, Jeff, expectations given -- and you mentioned this before -- it was you, Kevin -- that people really do feel -- you felt it in a sense today that, like, he is here, he is elected, we have a new president, everything is going to be fine now.
And the truth is, we have months, if not years, of economic turmoil in this country before things straighten themselves out.
TOOBIN: But I think what you do is, you do something. You do substantive things.
You pass a bailout bill. You do something. You give money with strings attached to the auto companies. But this is not a time for rhetoric. This is a time to show people that things can be done. You send an envoy to Gaza to get back involved in the Middle East peace process. You announce that Guantanamo will be shut down at a date certain. These have to be substantive events, not rhetoric.
And, in that respect, this somewhat unrhetorical inaugural address may be appropriate, because this is -- what is going on now is too big for rhetoric.
MARTIN: But he said it in the speech. It is time for us to get to work. He signaled that this is what we are going to do.
And, yes, it is a whole lot of stuff, because the country is all messed up. But here is what is amazing. We talk about lowering expectations. No, I think you have a guy who is saying, let's raise expectations, take them high, so if we even get close to them, we have done far more than what we thought.
Part of the problem with this city is, oh, no, let's go slow. Let's not walk and chew gum. Let's just walk or chew gum.
He is saying, no, we can do more.
MADDEN: Well, there is one thing that we have to remember about Barack Obama. Republicans, we made the mistake of mocking his ability as a community organizer.
(CROSSTALK)
MADDEN: And I think he is going to tap into that, community organizing on steroids. He is going to use the fact that the American public right now is very, very upset with status quo in Washington. And he wants to challenge that status quo.
It has less to do with him taking on Republicans. And I do -- but I do think the greatest challenge is going to be the fact that we have a Congress that wants to reassert their kind of role in this process, at the same time where the challenges we face really require an activist presidency. And that I think is where the looming clash is coming.
BROWN: And Democrats have been a factor in this, Gloria, over the last couple weeks, sending signals and subtle and not-so-subtle ways that they're not going to rubber-stamp things in the way that the Republican Congress did for Bush often.
(CROSSTALK)
BORGER: Sometimes, it looked like they needed an intervention or something at some point, but -- because they don't want to be seen as the Republican rubber-stamp Congress. But, you know...
MADDEN: Just remember, republicans were pliant when the president's approval ratings were very high. And let's remember the same dynamic will play here with this Congress.
(CROSSTALK)
BORGER: And if Democrats are opposing Barack Obama when he's at 80 percent in the polls, what does that tell you?
(CROSSTALK)
TOOBIN: Democrats were not opposing Barack Obama.
(CROSSTALK)
TOOBIN: Also, I think there is a big difference between 1993, when there were very similar Democratic majorities for Bill Clinton. But they -- the congressional Democrats had been in power for so long, they treated Bill Clinton like an interloper.
This Democratic congressional majority understands that their fate is tied to Obama.
BORGER: Exactly.
TOOBIN: And, if he fails, they fail.
BORGER: And here is the challenge for Obama. He said in his speech today that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long are old news, the new paradigm he is setting up. And if he can convince the American public that he can be the leader to take us beyond those political arguments, maybe he can convince the politicians, too.
MARTIN: I think -- I think these Democrats should stop being stuck on stupid and not allow this guy to unleash that grassroots group against them, OK?
He has goodwill, massive database. They need to get with the program and realize, your approval ratings are in the tank. People hate you. So, you might want to wake up and say, hey, let's kind of figure -- let's kind of go along with the new guy.
(CROSSTALK)
MADDEN: And just quickly to that point, and he set up the straw man argument where he blamed -- he talked about people who are going to essentially be his opposition as cynics.
That was not -- that was not just Republicans. That was Republicans and Democrats up on Capitol Hill, the status quo.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: All right, guys, stand by. You're going to be with us all through the night, even though Roland would rather be at the balls, he keeps telling -- he keeps reminding me.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Can we get some music or balloons or something?
BROWN: There are 10, 10, 10, 10 -- count them -- official inaugural balls here in Washington that the Obamas will be going to, even though Roland might not.
MARTIN: I'm going to a ball. Trust me.
BROWN: All right.
And even if you aren't here, you still might be able to make one of the virtual inaugural balls. Tom Foreman is going to be up next to show us exactly how that is possible.
And this is a live look at the virtual ball you can attend. Let's see. Yes, there you go. It's called the Neighborhood Ball. Again, stay there to find out how you can come into the neighborhood. We're coming to you live from the Newseum in Washington.
We will be back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
REV. JOSEPH LOWERY, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER: We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around...
(LAUGHTER)
LOWERY: ... when yellow will be mellow...
(LAUGHTER)
LOWERY: ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: (AUDIO GAP) during the civil rights movement, the inauguration's closing prayer from the Reverend Joseph Lowery, an 87- year-old legend of the civil rights movement.
Maybe you wish tonight that you could be a guest at one of the inaugural galas here in Washington. Well, good news. You can, sort of, thanks to technology and our Tom Foreman.
Tom, escort us to the ball, please.
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Let me show you where they are going, Anderson. They have got the new digs all settled in. The girls have got a baby-sitter. Look where they're heading out to night.
The first stop -- and they have got many of them tonight -- 10 balls that they will go to, speak at, and dance at, 10 different parties. Bill Clinton hold the record with 14. But this isn't bad. The first one is the Neighborhood Ball.
Now, there is some word that maybe they didn't go to that one first, that they changed order because things were running late, because the second one also in the Convention Center down here is the Home States Ball. So, they're right next to each other. These were the first two that they are supposed to go to.
Then it's off to the Commander in Chief's Ball, which is over here at the Building Museum, which is a beautiful, beautiful building here in Washington, D.C. If you have ever seen Time-Warner's "Christmas in Washington" show, with the president -- which the president attends, it's in this beautiful building over here. That will be with members of the military, mainly rank-and-file.
Then it's off to the Youth Ball over here at the Hilton Hotel. This is the one that Gary told us earlier would probably be the loudest one of all, a lot of music there.
Then they go to the Biden Home State Ball. The Home State Ball is the one that represents the state that these folks are from. So, they have been to one for Illinois and Hawaii. Now there's one for Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Off then to groupings of states. It's the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ball, which will be in the same building. Then they will go to the Western-Southwest Regional Ball, which is also in the same building. Then they will move to the Midwest Regional Ball, which is also in the same building. That at least gets convenient. The Southern Regional Ball, they are going to have to travel for that out to the D.C. Armory, which is out here by RFK Stadium. This is a place where a lot of things go on.
And then it will be to the Eastern Regional Ball. Just a sense of where they are going to be in this whole process, the Eastern Regional Ball, if all goes as planned -- and, already, it's running behind -- they're supposed to arrive and start doing their thing there at 2:30 in the morning, big, big night of partying.
In the end of it all, though, they will go back to their brand- new home. That's the plan. And, hopefully, there, they can finally get some much-needed rest. And maybe it won't be so hard on Pennsylvania Avenue, because, after all, from now on, he will be working from home -- Anderson.
COOPER: I wonder if Sasha and Malia get to stay up late to try to see them when they come home from the balls. Probably not. Probably too late.
FOREMAN: Whether they get to or not, I bet they do.
(LAUGHTER)
COOPER: All right, Tom, thanks very much.
Still coming up this evening, a lot ahead.
President Obama spoke directly to the assembled audiences here, but also around the world. To the Muslim world, he spoke directly in his inaugural speech. We are going to talk about that with our panel and talk to Christiane Amanpour to see what she has to say, if Muslims heard what the president had to say.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Obama. Their first stop, the Neighborhood Ball. Let's listen to what he has to say.
OBAMA: First of all, how good looking is my wife? I -- I want to thank all of you. I want to thank all of you not merely for helping me get elected, but I want to thank each and every one of you and all the people who are watching tonight for what you do to make this country better.
Now, this is the Neighborhood Ball. And we got the idea for the Neighborhood Ball because we are neighborhood people. And I cut my teeth doing neighborhood work.
And this campaign was organized, neighborhood by neighborhood. And if you think about it the word "neighborhood" starts with neighbor because it indicates a sense that we as Americans are bound together. That what we have in common is more important than what drives us apart. And that's why of all the balls that are taking place tonight along with the commander-in-chief ball for our military, who we honor, this ball is the one that captures best I think the spirit of this campaign.
We are going to need you not just today, not just tomorrow, but this year for the next four years and who knows after that, because together we are going to change America. Thank you, guys.
BROWN: So as we said before, the Neighborhood Ball. We're going to get to see a bit of the first dance here. This is the first event of the inauguration evening and the first ball, we should mention, of this type. It was pioneered by the Obamas so that they can meet the public and residents of their new neighborhood in Washington.
There were 5,000 tickets given out. Some of them free. Some for just $25. So frankly, it was the most affordable event of the evening.
Their musical performances tonight, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys. I know Roland wants to be there.
MARTIN: Of course.
BROWN: The music beginning. What do you think, Gloria, of the dress?
BORGER: I just think we ought to watch them dance.
BROWN: There you go. Let's take a moment and watch.
MUSIC: At last, my love has come along.
BROWN: That's it for us. We don't get to see the entire first dance apparently. But seriously.
MADDEN: Have you noticed how the Roland Martin look has already taken off? The president is copying him.
MARTIN: I'd say that was a good move on the part of the president.
BROWN: What was the good move?
MARTIN: White tie. Good move. We didn't chat about that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Beautiful dress.
MARTIN: I hit him on his BlackBerry. Good luck, dude. Good luck.
BROWN: So take us there. You guys have witnessed a number of inaugural balls. Take us through the evening.
This is -- this is, I mean, of course, it's a celebration. But they're out according to the schedule, until 3:30, 4:00 in the morning. Ten of these balls that they're going to be making appearances at tonight.
MARTIN: Look, they're from Chicago.
BROWN: So what? That's nothing?
MARTIN: That's nothing.
BROWN: OK.
MARTIN: They're from chi-town.
JEFFREY TOBIN, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: One thing that is -- I mean, among the many, many differences between the Obama administration and the Bush administration, George W. Bush famously liked to be in bed by 10:00. Barack Obama doesn't like to be in bed by 10:00. He likes to go out.
He likes to go to restaurant. He likes to be with people. This is going to be one of the many, many changes that the city in particular, but the country sees.
MARTIN: That's Chi-town, baby.
MADDEN: And that's not a Republican thing because I don't like to be in bed by 10:00.
BROWN: OK. All right.
We got to take another break. We're going to have a lot more coming up. As we mention, this is the first of ten balls they will be attending tonight.
We'll be hearing more from President Obama. He'll speak a number of times. They will dance at all the balls. And we will see the entire dance at the next ball.
We're also going to have reaction from around the world tonight now that it is official and he has been sworn in. Stay with us. A lot more ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: We have watched the swearing-in on TV, and tens of millions of people did. But across the country, many others braved the chilly winter weather to watch President Obama's inaugural speech, viewing parties from California to Chicago to New York.
But the audience for today's speech was not just in this country. Millions of people around the world were listening, and they heard a message aimed directly at foreign leaders. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: To the Muslim world, we think a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the west, know that your people will judge you on what you can build not what you destroy. To those -- to those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: A clear message, but how did it play internationally particularly in the Muslim world? And for that we want to bring in chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
And Christiane, the president reached out to the Muslim world very directly in his inaugural address. But in Iran today, yet again, this has happened earlier in the week, his photo burned in the street. I mean, what does that say about how his message was received?
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's important to say that this is a minority. I called Iran, it's not been sanctioned by the Iranian government. And it's also important to put in context, these pictures were burned. They were also just a few with pictures of George Bush and this was all about a pro-Gaza rally. It had nothing to do with this inauguration.
And I think it's very important to say that this is in direct contrast with the very careful language that has come out of an unusual area, and that is the president of Iran, Ahmadinejad, who's been very careful to make his words responsible in this time and say that he's prepared to wait to see what comes out of the new Obama administration before he makes any speeches or judgments.
And also in my reporting, I've discovered that from officials there, from the president, from other officials and right on up to the top supreme leadership, the religious leadership, there is a deep interest in trying to reengage with the United States. And the words that are being used, what Mr. Obama said today about mutual interest and mutual respect is very vital and very important. It's complete change in the words that have been used by previous administrations.
BROWN: Well, follow up on that because it is a drastic change in tone from what we have heard frankly. Do you ultimately see it bearing fruit?
AMANPOUR: Well, I do see it bearing fruit because there's an enormous amount of positive goodwill all around the world not just in Europe and the other allied countries where the election really caught everybody on fire. And everybody felt they really had a stake in this U.S. election and really wished they could have a vote as well, but also in other parts of the world that have been adversarial with the United States.
Polls that have come out show that by large and significant majorities, people believe that there will be a more positive U.S. foreign policy, more positive relations between their countries and the United States. But I think also a word of caution because in the Islamic world, and that has also been borne out by some letters that have written to the press today, some letters that have been written directly to President Obama by groups of Muslims, that it really needs to be tackled very sensitively and very clearly, particularly the Israel-Palestinian crisis. And obviously, just before this inauguration you had this huge conflagration between Israel and Gaza with so many people killed there. And that is once again set on fire sentiment in the Islamic and Muslim world.
And I think there's a caution there because many people there embrace and are ready for a new U.S. administration, but want to see whether it will bring the kind of change that they hope it will bring.
BROWN: Christiane Amanpour for us tonight. Christiane, as always, thanks. Appreciate it.
And we want to go now to Anderson.
COOPER: Yes. Let's talk to our panelists a little bit about this, Alex Castellanos, Pamela Gentry is here from BET, David Gergen. And what's your name? Paul Begala.
(LAUGHTER)
Did it surprise you to hear Barack Obama directly address the Muslim world?
DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: No. I think it was one of the -- one of the bold strokes in the speech. And I think he's going to move rapidly. He really does expect departures.
You know, we understand that he may send a special envoy to the Middle East as early as tomorrow. You know, it's been widely thought that Dennis Ross would be a special envoy working for Hillary Clinton in the White House, but that doesn't foreclose the possibility of surprise.
Colin Powell left open the door I thought just a crack today in his interview with CNN that he might be willing to do something for this president. So I think he's going to move quickly. He's got a meeting tomorrow with General Petraeus, among others to talk about Iraq. He wants to change policy in Iraq, so he's moving very quickly.
COOPER: Although Paul, we've already seen enemies in the Muslim world. Al-Qaeda, we heard from Ayman al-Zawahiri as well as Osama bin Laden. They said try and challenging the new president and sort of trying to change the Muslim world perception of President Obama.
PAUL BEGALA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Enormous struggle going to go on to define Barack Obama in the Muslim world. There wasn't much of a struggle with George W. Bush. He became a rallying point for extremism in the Muslim world, fairly or not.
But I was traveling recently and watched Al Jazeera. And Al- Jazeera, of course, the Arab language news network based in Qatar. They ran promotion after promotion on their network with photographs of Barack Obama just like every network in the world. But the picture they choice was Barack Obama at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Israel, wearing a yarmulke out of respect, of course. But they're telling you something, right? They're telling their audience, hey, he's just another Zionist tool. Don't pay attention to Obama. So this is --
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Beyond the course for Al-Jazeera and their promos are sort of legendary for the message that they sent subtle or not.
BEGALA: He's more popular in many of those countries than their own leaders are. All politics is local. So they better be -- those leaders and in fact even the leaders of the terrorist groups have to be a little careful on how they take on Barack.
COOPER: He also sent a message to leaders in countries about loosening their grip. We'll reach out a hand to you. The president is speaking right now. Let's listen.
BROWN: OK.
OBAMA: But Michelle and I both want to say thanks. Thanks for this honor. Thanks for this privilege. And remember what we said during this campaign, "Yes, we can." Yes, we will, as long as all of us are working together.
That's what America is about. That's what this campaign has been about. That's what this administration will be about. I'm grateful to all of you. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.
COOPER: That was -- that was President Obama, speaking at the Neighborhood Ball. We saw him speak there a little bit earlier. We saw a little bit of their first dance there as well.
They will now be heading to the Home State Ball. They are running a little bit behind schedule. They're supposed to be at the Home State Ball at 8:30, so you got a sense here on the East Coast, you got a sense they're about 20 minutes or 25 minutes behind schedule right now.
We're going to bring you their comments from the Home State Ball. Also, the dance that they will take part in at the Home State Ball, we will, of course, are going to bring you that in its entirety this time not to disappoint anybody. We're going to bring you a lot of dances, a lot of music, a lot of the discussions that the Obamas give at these balls throughout the evening at the Commander's Ball and many others.
They're supposed to hit ten balls throughout this night going well past 2:00 a.m. We are going to be staying on the air. As long as the Obamas are out, we're going to be on the air bringing you it all live as it happens. We'll see how long I can stay up for, but we'll see about that.
Pamela Gentry, he also, though, spoke out to the Muslim world, to leaders in the Muslim world, not just enemies but also folks who may be allies of the United States saying, loosen your grip and we will reach out a hand to you.
PAMELA GENTRY, SR. POLITICAL ANALYST, BET: Yes, and I think that that was a good message because there are a couple things there. There are some countries that are going to be sitting on the line trying to determine what kind of leader he's going to be. They're not going to assume that he's not going to take all of George Bush's policies and overturn them.
And so I think he was giving them, you know, letting them know, you know, I'm going to -- I'll meet you halfway and we can start discussions from here. It's a new day and a new time. And so you can start with a clean slate with the Obama administration. And I think that's what he was trying to do.
COOPER: He also threatened enemies of the United States essentially saying and I quote, "You cannot outlast us and we will defeat you."
ALEX CASTELLANOS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: A strong statement kind of echoing John F. Kennedy. We will pay any price, bear any burdens in the defense of liberty. Tremendous, I thought tremendously strong part of the speech. But also, you know, today, who better than Barack Obama to exploit the schism in the Muslim world that we have.
I mean the strategy of the radical Islamic world has been to polarize the world against Islam in its entirety. But there's -- part of the Islamic world has been moving to democracy and to modernity and today, Barack Obama said no. Our patchwork heritage welcomes all points of views. We're open to anyone who loves freedom, who wants to live in piece. So I thought today he did something fairly remarkable to drive a wedge, not to let the Islamic radicals drive a wedge into our world but to drive a wedge into theirs.
GERGEN: Barack Obama is changing the politics in our country. But there is an interesting question, can he change the politics in other countries and put pressure on leaders to do different things than what they've done? Interesting question?
COOPER: A lot of other countries around the world will see what he can do, what any one president can do.
Let's go back to Campbell -- Campbell.
BROWN: Thanks, Anderson. We're going to switch gears now to another issue that's sure to spark international debate.
Coming up next, you think I'm kidding, Michelle Obama's dress. We will have the verdict from the fashionistas of the world. Stay with us. That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm no longer 29.
BROWN: That's Vice President Joe Biden speaking right now at the Commander-in-Chief Ball. Let's listen.
BIDEN: Ladies and gentlemen -- ladies and gentlemen, my admiration from the day I arrived here has literally not figuratively have grown every single year that I've been in Washington, D.C. as United States senator and now as vice president of the United States.
I want you to know -- I want you to know that I have a special place in my heart for all of you. I've followed you guys all over the world. You're the bravest, best equipped, most competent military in the history of mankind.
You know, although I guess technically I speak to you tonight as vice president of the United States of America, and that is an honor, that is an honor. But I also speak to you as a father who has a son stationed in Iraq. And I can tell you, I can tell you without reservation, that is a greater honor than being vice president of the United States of America.
I want to acknowledge -- I want to acknowledge the joint chiefs that are here tonight. General Casey who is kind enough to -- kind enough to escort me in. But I also want to acknowledge the commanders who couldn't be here tonight. A good and old friend, General David Petraeus of CENTCOM.
I also want to acknowledge a fellow I just had dinner with three or four nights ago, spent a little time with him, general -- they're all generals, you know, and admirals -- Odierno, in Iraq. We spent some time with him. David McKiernan --
BROWN: That's Vice President Joe Biden as we said speaking at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball. Of course, Obama -- the Obamas will be there a little bit later as well. We'll check back in then.
We want to go right now to tonight's "Bull's-Eye." It goes to the undisputed stars of the inauguration. Sasha and Malia Obama and their mother, Michelle.
Yes, Barack Obama is officially the leader of the free world. The little ladies of the house are America's newest style icons. And, of course, most of us couldn't get enough of them and what they're wearing as we watched them today.
We've got Erica Hill, our own style icon on the case for us. So give us a scoop. Tell us about the gowns.
ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The latest, of course, we're seeing this gown. I have to tell you on a very informal poll of folks here at CNN, kind of mixed reviews on this one. A little talk about the strap being a little too thick, not what a lot of people have expected.
Both the "L.A. Times" and WGN out of Chicago are reporting that this is a design by Jason Wu, who's a 26-year-old designer, born in Taiwan but studied at the Parsons school here in New York.
And I have to tell you I spoke with Tim Gunn today. I spoke with Mary Alice Stephenson of "Harper's Bazaar" yesterday. They both said they were expected something probably a little bit more simple. They were both -- both mentioned they expected some really rich color. Jewel tones today is what Tim Gunn said to me, which is obviously not what we got.
I spoke a little bit earlier to, actually just a few moments ago, we talked with Ramin Setoodeh (ph) from "Newsweek" who said, you know, it's not a home run but it is different from both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, the two most recent first ladies. Whether or not though she'll be remembered for it in 50 years, he's not quite so sure.
So that's the initial report and reaction of the inaugural gown. Of course, also the first lady's inaugural dress this morning getting some attention and that to pretty positive reviews.
Both outfits though kept under tight wrap. Even Isabel Toledo who's the Cuban-American designer behind the gold sheath and coat worn today didn't learn Mrs. Obama was wearing it until early this morning. She spoke with CNN's Alina Cho.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ISABEL TOLEDO, DESIGNER: I got the same excitement. The same feeling you felt I was feeling at the same time.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, no, I think you were feeling something different. I mean, she was wearing your design.
TOLEDO: She was -- and I was so happy to see how beautiful she looked. And the beautiful thing is that she really -- she gave us all the opportunity to feel such a strong part of this moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: The rest of Alina's interview will be on AMERICAN MORNING tomorrow, Campbell. A little more insight there.
BROWN: And Erica, I understand the first daughters we saw them. They were also in these bright cheerful colorful coats today. And they were custom made I understand?
HILL: They were. They're from J. Crew's kids line but they were actually made for the occasion. It's a choice fashion expert Tim Gunn told me today sent a great message to the country.
We may not have that sound, but one of the things he mentioned, Campbell, is he though it was a really wise choice by the first family especially because we are in a recession. That they didn't go for some really extravagant over the top incredibly expensive brand. But J. Crew, which may not be the most reasonable for all families, but it's still not a $1,000 outfit that you're sending perhaps a 10 or 7- year-old to an inauguration, Campbell.
BROWN: Yes, they could not have looked cuter. I'm sorry. The pictures have been fantastic of the kids.
HILL: Beautiful.
BROWN: OK. Erica Hill for us tonight. Erica, thanks.
And let's bring back style expert Robert Verdi real quick to give his take on Michelle Obama's inaugural look. So give us the verdict, Robert. What do you think of the dress?
ROBERT VERDI, STYLE EXPERT: Well, I was expecting a different silhouette for Michelle. She is actually a first lady who I think has done some more daring and youthful things with her fashion wardrobe. I was expecting her to wear a halter. She's been seen in halter dresses before.
This is a silhouette that we have seen on a first lady before. Nancy Reagan wore a one shoulder Galanos dress at the inaugural ball when Ronald Reagan was president. And I think that was a little -- a little bit of a disappointment. That I was hoping she would choose a silhouette that we never saw on a first lady. Again, a halter dress would have been really spectacular on her.
Jason Wu is one of the most loved designers in the fashion community. He's certainly one of the guiding forces in American fashion today and is very young out of the box. He was successful the second he hit the runway, and has been embraced by not only the editors of magazines like "Vogue and "Harper's Bazaar" that carry fashion's voice far and wide but also by Hollywood, which of course, takes it a step further.
BROWN: And that's Robert Verdi for us on the dress. Robert, thank you. We appreciate that.
And you're looking at a live picture right now. You're seeing the color guard. This is at the Home States Ball where the Obamas -- that was their second stop of their ten inaugural ball tour tonight.
Of course, he'll be speaking at each of these balls. They will be dancing at all of the balls, and we will have all of the details for you throughout the night.
Stay with us. We're going to be on the air until they call it a night. Gosh knows when that's going to be.
Stay with us. We're going to reset here and bring in Anderson Cooper, who is also joining me from the Newseum -- Anderson.
COOPER: Campbell, thanks so much for getting our special edition of "360." Right now, good evening again from the capital city in a rare moment of renewal and rejoicing.
You're watching a special inauguration night edition of "AC 360." We're going to be on for the next three hours, then Larry King is going to come on. And then we're going to continue on for another two hours until 3:00 a.m. following the Obamas all evening long.
I'm joined by Campbell Brown also here in the Newseum.
