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American Morning
Special Coverage of the Inauguration of Barack Obama
Aired January 20, 2009 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: This was one of the most important things that they are doing in their life is to get down here, to be here. And a lot of them said not only because they wanted to be able to vote, they wanted to be able to vote for Barack Obama, but they wanted to be able to tell their children they were here on this historic day.
BOW WOW, ACTOR & RAPPER: Exactly. I just got off the phone with my phone, and that was the first thing that she said. You know, being young -- I remember being in school not too long ago and going to history class and reading up on all of the great historians and reading about it.
Now for me to be able to -- like I said, I'm living in history and something I can tell my kids I'm actually witnessing. And I can tell them that I was actually a part of it by starting my campaign and walk across America campaign that I did to get the youth to vote, to get them registered. So, I was a first-time voter, I wanted to share that experience with all my younger peers and I did that. So I feel good.
I definitely feel -- I feel good. I feel like I'm a part of history when I went to the poll and I voted. I just felt the energy and I was very excited. So I'm going to continue to support him and to be there for him in any way, form, or fashion. So I'm just happy to be here.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Right. Well, regardless of your political stripes, the effort to get young voters out to the poll, a noble one. We thank you for those efforts, Bow Wow. Continued success in the future, by the way, with your career as well. It's one minute after the hour.
About 45 minutes from now, Barack Obama, the next president of the United States, will be going across Lafayette Park -- well, actually be going around it in a motorcade over to St. John's Episcopal Church where he will attend the traditional early morning church service on inauguration day.
And our Suzanne Malveaux is outside of St. John's Episcopal Church, and she joins us now.
What is the scene like over there, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, really, it's been cordoned off so there are not a lot of people around here. It's a private service. It's going to -- the motorcade is going to make its way obviously from Blair House to the church, St. John's Episcopal Church that is right behind me.
It's an historic church. It's going to be a very private setting, but to tell you, if you notice the church of the presidents, and there is a special pew for the president. That would be Barack Obama and his family. It is pew 54. Ever since James Madison, there has been a tradition that you have the inaugural prayer before the official ceremony that happens here at this church. And so Barack Obama and his family will participate here in that service, that special service, multi-denominational.
To tell you, John, his aides, however, are not waiting -- they are not waiting for this official ceremony, the pomp and circumstance, before they actually get down to work. We are told that as soon as Barack Obama takes the oath of office, there will be vans that will whisk him, top aides, senior advisers to the White House. They've gotten their paperwork that's already cleared. They will be in their White House offices. There are already some offices that are being painted as we speak, at least in the press office. But those senior staff will sit down and get to work in earnest.
We are told that on the agenda starting from this evening and on, it's just hours away, they are going to start working on some things. They are going to take a look at executive orders. We expect in the days to come, Barack Obama sitting down with his military brass, his economic team. Also issuing some orders regarding banning torture. Also closing the Gitmo, the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, and possibly, as well, reversing the so-called global gag rule which forbids funding -- U.S. funding going to international family planning organizations that discuss abortion.
John?
ROBERTS: All right. And, Suzanne, just a quick note here. St. John's Episcopal Church as you said is known as the church of the presidents. And we know that Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have been looking for a church that they can call their own here in Washington. Is it likely that they -- they might for simplicity sake go with St. John's Episcopal because of its proximity to the White House?
MALVEAUX: Well, they certainly could. There are a lot of presidents that -- we've seen President Bush make that little trek right across the Lafayette Square to the church. The tradition has been that a lot of presidents have attended this church, but they've also sought churches outside in Washington as well, so they are still trying to figure all of that out. As you know, the family worships. They are Christian. And so they are looking -- still looking.
John?
ROBERTS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux for us this morning outside of St. John's Episcopal Church where the traditional inauguration day church service will take place in about 40 minutes times.
Thanks, Suzanne. CHETRY: That's right. And they will be sitting in pew 54, right? That's known as the president's row, dating all the way back to James Madison. Well, look at the streets right now, just packed with people still making their way in as we count down 3:55 away from the inauguration.
And Jim Acosta is right there in the middle of those crowds right now. The last time we checked in with you they were just as jubilant, excited, and full of energy as they were when they made their way out there at about 4:00 or 5:00 a.m.
Hey, Jim.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kiran, that's right. And this sums it up right here. This gentleman, James from Anniston, Alabama. Is that right, James?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
ACOSTA: He's got a sweatshirt right here that says "He Dream Realized," picture of Barack Obama next to Martin Luther King. This inauguration happening right after Martin Luther King holiday. And I'm going to try a little experiment here. I don't know if it's such a good idea. I'm going to try to walk down the Mall here from the Washington Monument.
You can see the huge crowds around me. And I'm going to walk towards the Capital -- that's a gentleman with security move right out of my way. And I expect all of these people are following me trying to get on television right now. But this just shows you the enthusiasm down here. And the reason I'm walking this way is because I want to give you a sense as to how large the crowd is on the other side, the other perspective of the mall heading towards the Capital.
You can see another sea of people, basically, for whatever reason, they are not standing on the sidewalk right here, they are standing on either side. People with blankets sprawled out on this lawn. Their family, friends are all bundled up.
And one thing that we've taken note of throughout this morning, John and Kiran, is not just the patriotism. You can see all of the American flags around us. These are not, "Yes, we can" signs, these are American flags. So it goes to the bipartisanship of this event.
It also -- just take it in for a moment, guys. All of these smiling African-American faces beaming with pride and enthusiasm on this historic day. And one thing that we've been taking note all morning is that we're expecting Barack Obama to come out and deliver a message not just of change, but to talk about ushering in this era of responsibility that we've heard so much about.
He may call for patience from the American public. But I have to expect the president, the new president to come out and at least absorb some of this enthusiasm, some of this excitement. His advisers have been saying they haven't really had much of a chance to do any of that since the election because they have been steep and so many of these crises that have emerged over the last several months. But they will get their chance today, John and Kiran. All they have to do is stand at the west side of the Capital and look towards the Washington Monument, Abraham Lincoln, these two pillars of our democracy and see that this new day has been realized.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: A new day! A new day!
ACOSTA: As the sun has been going up over the Capital, you got the sense that there is a new dawn here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: That's right.
ACOSTA: I want to talk to this woman right here, right next to me now. Ma'am, how far did you come to watch this event today? And what does it mean to you?
Well, I came from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. And we've been out here since like 3:00 in the morning.
ACOSTA: Wow.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. This is just a momentous occasion. I mean, it's like we're living history.
ACOSTA: You're living history.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are.
ACOSTA: And why did you come all this way from Chapel Hill, North Carolina?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, I'm just happy that Obama won, and I'm happy that he's bringing all these people together. I mean, this is the perfect picture of unity. Be it young, old, black and white, you know, gay and straight, everybody is coming here for a common purpose or a united purpose. So I'm just happy to be here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And to experience history, too.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, to experience history.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A bright future, and I think that --
ACOSTA: What is that, ma'am?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So we're very hopeful for just a brighter future, and I think it was just time for change in our country and then just internationally. And so, it's about --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's about the rest of the world.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: Yes. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. So it's about historical moment because he is the first African-American president, but I think he was just also the right person at the right time with his level of intellect and dignity that he and his family represent. So, just a beautiful occasion. And I think we're out here making friends with people from all over the world.
(CROSSTALK)
ACOSTA: We're all becoming fast friends out here, John. And Kiran, we've got no choice. We are all huddled together trying to keep warm out here.
(CROSSTALK)
ACOSTA: One of the things that we've noticed all morning long is that you can just talk to people and just hear all of these wonderful thoughts about our country and this moment in history.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Chapel Hill!
CHETRY: The good news is, first of all, you have a captive audience down there. Everything you say, they are agreeing with you and cheering, you know? I don't think you've ever gotten that much support for anything you've said in a while.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: Jim, unfortunately, you can't hear me. But it's funny, every time he was saying something dawn of a new day, they get affirmations from the crowd. And I don't know if you notice now, but in the bottom left hand corner of the screen, there's a few people that have hats and scarves that just say "Obama" across the entire thing.
ACOSTA: Kiran, I can hear you now.
ROBERTS: Yes.
CHETRY: Hey there, Jim. No, I was teasing you a little bit because there was a lot excitement over what you were saying in general. But, you know, it really is exciting in this information age and this digital age. People joking around that they are making friends around them. I bet you there's going to be an exchange of e- mail addresses and telephone numbers, and of course, instantaneous pictures being sent all across the world for those who aren't there by the people that are.
ACOSTA: That's right, Kiran. And one thing that we've noticed all morning long is -- is that people are just taking each other's photograph. I mean, people are just trying to capture this moment in every way that they can. They are taking on their cell phone cameras, their BlackBerries, their digital cameras beaming them back to their friends and relatives who could not be here today.
And so, yes, you're right, there is a sense that people are in the middle of this historic moment and they want to capture it. And I'm just -- I'm just picking people randomly out of the crowd here, not pre-interviewing, which can be -- can be hazardous to your television career.
But Ma'am, I want to talk to you right now if that's OK. I'm just pulling people out of the crowd, talking to them.
Ma'am, what does this moment mean to you right now?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It means the greatest thing in the world to me. I know when years ago when we were all marching with Martin Luther King, I'm not going to tell you how old I am.
ACOSTA: You were here for Martin Luther King?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
ACOSTA: And what was that day like compared to now? Talk about both days, if you can. Don't mean to put you on the spot, but --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know it. It was very moving for me. Very moving for me. And this is just -- I don't know. I was so young then, but now that I'm older, I can really get into this and appreciate this, you know?
And, also, you know, with my kids, I brought my kids and my niece and my daughter, took them out of school to bring them down here from Atlanta. You know? And for them to experience something like this, I never thought nothing like this would happen from all the years, as I was growing up. It's a big educational, you know, thing for them to, you know, be here for this event.
ACOSTA: I saw a sweatshirt that said "The Dream Realized." Is that what this is?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it is the dream. We still got a long way to go. You know, we still got a long way to go, but if we stick together, we can make a big change, and it's time for that.
ACOSTA: Beautiful. Thank you very much, ma'am. I appreciate that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
ACOSTA: John and Kiran, I tell you. You're hearing these thoughts, these perspectives all morning long. And everyone that you hear, you just don't get tired of hearing them over and over and over again. So many people down here who have been through so much to witness this historic event, it does -- it does get you right here in the heart.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it does.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it does.
(CROSSTALK) ROBERTS: You know, Jim, looking at you down there, it looks like (INAUDIBLE). We're trying to figure out exactly where you are. We can't see you. But, you know, Barack Obama said the other day that he believes that his election as president is going to change the way that America looks at itself and the way that Americans look at each other, that African-Americans will look at themselves differently, and white Americans will look at African-American children differently. Are you picking up on any of that down there in the Mall?
UNIDENTIFIED AUDIENCE: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
ACOSTA: John, I believe that question was directed at me. Yes, I am. We are hearing that. And what you are hearing from people from all walks of life is that almost in that sense when you talked to people who are here for Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech here on the Mall in Washington, D.C., you get a similar sense from people that they are witnessing history.
That 30 or 40 years from now, I suppose, these crystal clear HD images may look grainy and sort of like those black and white images from 40 years ago. 40 years from now. And all of these people who are out here today are a part of that. And I guess I'm standing with one other woman who is here with me right now.
Ma'am, I'm just wondering, what does this day mean to you? We're just asking that of everybody down here. Wondering what it means to you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It means a change for the immigrants, too. It means I love Obama and I'm Puerto Rican, and I'm very happy to be here and I come from New Jersey, and I'm proud to meet you, too. I will see you on TV.
ACOSTA: Very good. All right, thank you. And so, you know, whether it's African-Americans, Latinos, all walks of life down here on the Mall, John, this is the United States of America. When you heard Barack Obama saying that in that speech at the Democratic National Convention, there is not just a white America or black America or liberal America or conservative America, it's the United States of America, that is what we're seeing down here on the Mall today.
Guys?
ROBERTS: All right. Certainly getting a really, really good demonstration of that.
Let's move a little further down the Mall, and our Carol Costello has been making a whole lot of new friends this morning. And let's see who she has got around her now.
Hey, Carol.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're on TV.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, John. Are you making a phone call to your family?
You cannot believe, John, the number of people using their cell phones and their BlackBerries to call home and say, I'm going to be on CNN, turn on the TV now!
Hey, I want to ask you, quit texting your friends.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, OK, all right. OK.
COSTELLO: I want to ask you to describe the mood down here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now, what? The mood? The mood is so exciting! It's so jubilant. It is so energetic! It is thrilling out here! And fantastic people out here. It is sensational to be out here in this crowd.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: OK, answer me this question, because most likely you're not going to catch a glimpse of the actual Barack Obama down here on the Mall. Why was it important for you to be in the crowd of people in the freezing cold today?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The warmth of the people, the love, the joy, their humor, their smile, and guess what it's all about?
COSTELLO: You told me before you felt hyper-American today. Why is that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because this is a history. This is going down in the books. And everyone will be reading -- my grandchildren will be reading it. And it's just beautiful to see the young children out with the old, the young -- I don't know, it's beautiful.
COSTELLO: Tell me, describe the mood down here from your perspective.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it is very, very exciting. Very, very -- whole world is here. I'm very happy to be here. I came all the way from Dallas so to be part of the history! To be part of the history!
COSTELLO: Before Dallas, where were you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I was at New Orleans, but I left New Orleans since 1994.
COSTELLO: But now you're here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But now I'm here.
COSTELLO: What do you want to hear from Barack Obama when he finally speaks this afternoon?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to hear the same promise he has been giving us to take care of the economy, to take care of the international problem we have. And then to create jobs. And then, I mean, this is a history. I want to be a part of the history.
COSTELLO: Well, you're going to be.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm there!
COSTELLO: I don't think she is going to give me the microphone back! You know, it's interesting, John, most of the people I talk with down here said they want to hear Barack Obama talk about the economy, how he is going to help the country. That's what they really want to hear.
You know, you hear a lot about his campaign slogans of like hope and change, but they want to hear specifics today in his speech. OK, take it away, crowd, I give up!
Love you, John!
ROBERTS: All right, Carol Costello for us with a whole lot of jubilant friends this morning.
Hey, just about each and everyone one of those people down there in the Mall and around the whole Capitol Hill area has got probably a phone with a camera on it. And if you are going to be at today's inauguration, you can help CNN capture what we are calling "The Moment." It's the moment that Barack Obama takes the oath of office. No matter where you're sitting, up close or even miles away, take a photo of the moment. CNN is compiling a revolutionary, interactive 3D image of the event. Just go to cnn.com/themoment and find out exactly how you can help us out.
CHETRY: And you have to put it in quote when you talk about it. You thought the hologram was cool, this is going to be even cooler.
ROBERTS: Hey, we should just take a second to sort of tell people where we are, give them a lay of the land in case if they're just joining us.
CHETRY: Yes, exactly. Well, boy, you know, we started out today at 3:00 a.m. making our way here among many other members of the press, and already we were seeing the streets lined with people making their way to the Mall. And right now, they are expecting 2 million people. There is a look.
As many as 2 million, perhaps even more are going to be crowding into this area. It's between the Capital, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial as Barack Obama takes the oath of office at noon. So just three hours, 42 minutes from now. And some will be more than a mile away from the actual swearing in ceremony. They're going to be watching it on some of the giant TVs that have been erected along the Mall. Thousands -- what are you looking at there?
ROBERTS: Well, you got to take a look at this. This is the end of the orange line. This is the New Carrollton Station out there in the eastern part of Washington. It's the metro station. These are people who are trying to make their way into the district for the inauguration. You can see these lines outside of the metro station. All of those people have to go in. They have got to go through a machine, they've got to buy a ticket, then they've got to go through the turnstiles, down into the platform, get on a train, and then make their way here. That's the New Carrollton Station It's the end of the orange line down in the eastern part of Washington.
CHETRY: Right. I mean, if you were trying -- we're trying to explain, no one is supposed to be standing right there.
ROBERTS: No.
CHETRY: I mean, even on the most crowded of days, it would be like if you were in New York City waiting several blocks away from a subway entrance.
ROBERTS: Exactly.
CHETRY: And this is the case. The metro opened an hour early, 4:00 a.m. to make way. They expected the overflow crowds, and they told people pack your patience. Every train is filled and people are trying to make their way here.
But, again, thousands also arrived even before daylight with these standing room-only trains. They were carrying their blankets, their Obama scarves and, boy, trying to shave a little bit of the chill off of the wind-chill. 15 degrees, even lower than that, eight by some estimates, so a very cold day.
Go ahead, John. We're going to be talking to Christiane Amanpour as well who is joining us.
ROBERTS: Yes. We're going to go to Christiane in just a second. But first of all, Becky Anderson, is in London. And she has got a perspective on Obama mania over there across the pond.
What are we looking at today, Becky?
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Well, he's carrying the hopes of not just the nation, but the entire world on those rather well-defined shoulders, isn't he? I think Christiane is going to tell you about the latest polls internationally. But certainly those reflect the Obama mania that we saw at the beginning of the year, and it continues across the world.
Here, one of the front-pages of the media in the U.K., "The Guardian," "Magical spell that will open a new American era." We're seeing parties all over Europe today. The massive party in France, and the front-page of the "Le Figaro." It just says "20-page special President Obama." There he is with his wife. They've got parties in Germany, in Spain, in Italy. There is a real sense that this is a day of history in the making.
No real surprise, I'm sure to you guys. We'd all love to be there in Washington with you, but we will be watching from this side of the pond. I can tell you, it's going to be millions; it's going to be billions of people watching that speech later on today.
Guys?
ROBERTS: All right. Becky Anderson for us in London with that. Becky, thanks so much. Appreciate it.
CHETRY: Christiane Amanpour joins us here this morning as well. Just a reminder, we are being broadcast -- simulcast on CNNI as well. So people around the globe are watching us, Christiane. The interesting thing today is hearing the chants of U.S.A., U.S.A. down in the crowd, a real sense of national pride, regardless of your political stripes today. And the world is watching us today. The world is watching what's happening in this peaceful transition of power.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Not just watching, but they are thoroughly invested in this inauguration and this election. As you know, most of the world believes they should have had a vote in this election. They so desperately wanted change. And as you saw from what Becky was showing with the headlines, it's not just in Britain but across Europe and across the world, where people will be tuning in today.
People are already being polled. There's a BBC poll out that says about 67 percent of people polled from the Far East to the Middle East to Latin America believe the relations between their countries and the United States will get better. That's 20 percent higher than when they were polled last year.
CHETRY: And talk about the goodwill that we had after 9/11 when the entire world said we're with you, we feel your pain, and trying to capitalize on that, many said that we squandered that opportunity then. Of course, there is a vigorous debate about that.
But right now, as we usher in a new change with Barack Obama, as you said, if the world could vote, he would have won overwhelmingly...
AMANPOUR: Which he did here.
CHETRY: Right. He did here, but -- by even larger percentages. What are some of the things, as we take a look at the laundry list of major challenges facing not only us in America but the world, what do they want to see tackled first?
AMANPOUR: Well, this poll, for instance, said actually (ph) 72 percent of the people polled in 14 countries wanted Barack Obama to tackle the global financial crisis. And just a little anecdote, the prime minister of Spain yesterday was quoted as saying that he hoped and believed there would be an Obama effect that would give confidence to the faltering global economy and would hopefully help it recover quicker than perhaps they had expected.
After that, 60 percent want to talk about -- see Obama tackle the issue of troops being withdrawn from Iraq. 46 percent want to see global climate change tackled and 43 percent want to see peace between Israel and Palestinians. And of course, we've seen the utter despair and misery and violence over there over the last several weeks.
ROBERTS: You know, this president has got - this incoming president has got an awful lot of priorities on his plate. That laundry list that you just cited there. You said that he wants to try to tackle Middle East peace. He also has to take a look at the global economic meltdown. Can one president tackle so many pressing issues all at once?
AMANPOUR: Well, look, of course, it's going to be difficult, but out of challenge also arises opportunity. And sometimes, there are moments in history where the moment and the man, the person converge. And there's an opportunity, many analysts are saying, to restart the engine. Look, the theme of this is renewing America's promise. It's not just here but it's around the world as well.
And people, as they say, are invested in this. And what Obama can expect, therefore, is much more cooperation from allies, sometimes even adversaries. Already, they're getting a softer look from friends in Iran, which is interested in opening a dialogue. As Obama and his secretary of state-designate have said they want to try new engagement.
This could be a big deal for the whole Middle East situation. They need to review and renew what's going on in Afghanistan. But what they really can expect or what they should expect is much more cooperation from allies, rather than sitting and coughing on the sidelines. Those allies can no longer say, oh, our people don't -- you know, are against the United States, against U.S. policies. No. By huge margins, people across Europe and across the rest of the world now believe and support this new administration and what they plan to do. So, those leaders can't hide behind anti-Americanism and use that for their own political motives.
ROBERTS: I'll tell you, with so much going on there, four years is going to go by awfully quickly. Hey, Christiane Amanpour, thanks for joining us this morning with that global perspective on what this all means.
We showed the New Carrollton metro station just a little while ago and those huge crowds that are just right outside...
CHETRY: Spilling out of the building.
ROBERTS: Spilling our of the building and waiting blocks -- what would be New York blocks to get in. Our Barbara Starr was at the Springfield metro station about an hour and change ago. She is on the telephone with us again, trying to make her way into the district.
And Barbara, how is the trek going at this point?
VOICE OF BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, I can tell you, it's an awful friendly crowd, massive, though. The problem that seems to be emerging at this hour is once you get on at the end of the line, as many of us did, picking different metro lines, you can get on a car. But as we stopped at various stations on the way into town, hundreds and hundreds of people waiting to get on various trains but, of course, every train that pulls into every station is already chock full from the end of the line.
So what do you do on the long ride into town? Well, I started texting some of my friends, some of my sources, and actually I came up with a bit of news on the long ride. We can now confirm to you that General David Petraeus is on his way to Washington, D.C. That comes from sources who are very familiar with what he's doing today. He will be, at this point, barring a change of schedule, he will be in town by tomorrow for that meeting with President Obama, the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Ray Odierno is expected to be on teleconference, joining that meeting from Baghdad when they all sit down with the new commander-in-chief and talk about the troop level to Iraq, the troop level to Afghanistan. General Petraeus will have just been in Afghanistan. He will have come from Pakistan, we are told. So, he will be able to report to the new president right off the bat on what the situation is. A lot of concern, of course, about Pakistan. General Petraeus coming to town tomorrow. Hopefully, he'll get around a little bit easier than the rest of us.
John?
ROBERTS: All right. Barbara Starr for us this morning on her way into Washington, D.C. And you can see the crowds here in the Mall. The crowds trying to get here at the end of those subway lines and people in all those stations in between who, as Barbara Starr said, are experiencing full trains when they finally get a train pulling into the station.
What a nightmare trying get down here.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: It is. You know, people knew it. And they tried to warn us as best they could that, you know, your best bet was try to get here not the day of -- you know, but for some people, that was not possible. So, packing their patience and packing not much else because, again, no backpacks, no strollers and they really are clamping down on that. So, your best bet -- bike. It's cold but you can do it. Walk and rely on public transportation.
Meanwhile, we want to talk to James Carville right now as well. He's been watching all of this. He's been able to get a chance to look at the crowds. Take us back to more than a decade ago when you guys were embarking on the same thing within the Clinton administration. What type of feeling is going on today as Barack Obama and his family get ready to depart? They're going to leave Blair House and head to St. John's Episcopal Church, which is what the president-elects do on the day of their inauguration. What must be going through his mind right now?
JAMES CARVILLE, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I can only imagine and, I mean, I know he's been entirely briefed -- obviously, he has been briefed, informed of the decision-making. I mean, what's going on with the banks and then endless meetings on (INAUDIBLE) departments. Time is a lot different than 2008 than it was in 1992. But you know, it is -- you come up and you know what's going to happen today. I can't imagine the feeling that he must have and his family and people that are really close to him. It has to be something quite extraordinary. I know the feeling that we had in '92 and it's something that I wish everybody in this world could experience. It reaches you deep down in the depths of your soul, if you will. I mean, this is the greatest thing we have, inauguration day, when we transfer power in this country. It's just remarkable.
ROBERTS: So, James, when you look at the size of the crowd out there...
CARVILLE: Oh.
ROBERTS: ...and Lyndon Johnson held the previous record for the most number of people out in the Mall back in '64, with 1. -- '65, rather, with 1.2 million. When you look at the number of people who are out there already, what are you thinking about this event today?
CARVILLE: Well, John, I had to walk two miles. I come in -- I have a CNN car, and I was in south Duvall, and I said I'm not going to make it! And it was enormous. Literally, I had to walk two miles to go through. I don't know how many -- thank God for the wonderful policemen who let me through some of the lines so I could get here.
But a couple of things struck me is the crowds are very, very friendly. People were very cooperative. How are you doing? It was really, really remarkable to see. And they were in a good mood. And I notice the temperature is cold, but if you look around, the wind is not blowing that hard. You can see there's a breeze in the flag, but down on the Mall, there are a lot of people and I don't think that people properly dressed, the cold is going to be a terrible issue today.
But I've never seen anything close to what I experienced, and I actually had the experience of walking, having to walk across the Mall. So, it was extraordinary. I can't imagine what it's going to be like in a couple or three hours.
ROBERTS: Yes, just amazing.
CHETRY: You know, the other interesting thing. Yesterday, CNN was running a lot of -- a look -- looks back at the some of the other inaugurations. And of course, you remember after the hotly contested 2000 election, I mean, there were protesters on the streets as George W. Bush was making his way through that parade route. People holding up signs and things that said fraud. There was a feeling that even though a new administration was coming in, there was a divisiveness that really was palpable with that.
Right now, we're seeing almost the exact opposite, something so extraordinary, which is, no matter what your political stripes are, there's a coming together, a jubilation that's bigger than, you know, just Barack Obama or just your political party. How do you capitalize on that politically and turn it into, as we face these great challenges of our nation, something that ends up making things better? CARVILLE: Well first of all, you're right. You just can't help but feel it when you're out there. I mean, you can take someone from anywhere in the world and put them out there and they would feel that way. I think one of the things actually that a lot of the people around the president-elect, and I guess he is still the president- elect for a couple of hours anyway, is understand that the expectations have to be in line with reality is and the reality here is pretty dog gun tough. I think the country, wants, needs, and it's necessary to have this catharsis where we really break with the past here.
And that is a lot of what this day is about. So, you know, people should feel good today. It's a remarkable magnificent day in our democracy but the problems that we had yesterday are going to be there tomorrow and we should keep that in mind as we go forward.
CHETRY: James Carville this morning getting some exercise walking two miles to get here. James, we thank you for making the effort.
CARVILLE: Yes, but it was good. I just had to see you, John. Just couldn't do without it.
CHETRY: I think it's funny, James, you're from Louisiana. A lot warmer down there and it's funny that you just said the wind wasn't so bad.
ROBERTS: OK. Here is Joe Biden, the vice president-elect. He's going - Sorry, James, I just have to cut you off here. Because the Vice President elect and his wife Jill are just going into St. John's Episcopal there. And we are watching outside of Blair House as well.
The president-elect expected to depart in just a couple of moments. And literally, they are just going to go around Lafayette Square. Not even all the way around Lafayette Square from Pennsylvania Avenue up there into H street to go to the traditional inaugural church service and the vice president-elect and his wife walking in there. The Pew number 54 is the presidential pew in St. John's.
This is the president's church as it's known. Barack Obama, many people do not expect that he will make this, his church. Suzanne Malveaux out front and she is . She is witnessing all of this. Good morning, Suzanne. ` CHETRY: I think we're having a little trouble hearing Suzanne Malveaux, but just to tell you a little bit about that church. You know, this is a custom that has been observed almost every term since FDR visited this church back in 1933 before his inauguration.
And, again, he's going to find that this is a church that has undergone really historic renovations to bring it into the 21st century. Very interesting. This 193-year-old church has sat nearly every president - in fact, every American president worshipping in this church. And again as you said, some choose only to go once on inauguration day and others make it their regular church. ROBERTS: Yes. Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton used to go here a whole lot. President Bush went a few times early in his presidency. Then kind of stopped going to church on a regular basis. It is difficult to get out and about, even if you're going across the street literally. I mean, that church is about 250 yards away from the White House. It's just across Lafayette Square. It's very easy to get to.
But you know, when we talk about Barack Obama and what church he'll go to, this is an Episcopal church. It's not his denomination. And it's widely believed that he may choose an African Methodist Episcopal church and the church he might choose the 19th street Baptist Church there. He was there over the weekend for a church service. St. John's, while it is extraordinarily convenient for a president, many people believe that Barack Obama would not choose that as his main place to worship.
CHETRY: He also talked about wanting to choose a church based on what would be best for his young two daughters, Sasha and Malia. Let's check in now with Suzanne Malveaux who is outside of St. John's Episcopal this morning. Hi, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi. We actually got some information about the program that is going to be taking place momentarily. Gospel great Yolanda Adams will be singing. The welcome prayer will come from the reverend Dr. Louis Leon. He will offer a prayer for the nation. And then mega pastor TD Jakes will give the sermon. He is the founder of Potter's House. It is a multi-ethnic church of more than 20,000 members.
And he did not endorse anyone but he did participate in Obama's campaign's prayer conference calls. He really is quite a figure, particularly in the African-American community and the religious community. He will offer the sermon. And then the blessing, the Obama family will come from the Reverend Otis Moss Jr. of Cleveland. He is a veteran civil rights activists who worked alongside the late Reverend Martin Luther King. He is also a very prominent figure in the African-American community. And that this is going to be multidenominational as well.
We will hear from evangelical pastors. There will be rabbis who will participate Greek Orthodox. Many different denominations coming together for this ceremony.
CHETRY: Suzanne Malveaux for us, thanks very much. There is another look at on the Mall where the cold temperatures are not damping the spirits by any means of the people who came out there.
And there right now is a live look outside of Blair House. This is of course, the temporary living quarters of the incoming president and his family. The Obamas of course are at the Hay Adams Hotel for a little while. The Blair House occupied with other foreign dignitaries up until the 15th. They wanted to come early to Washington to their daughters could start school at Sidwell Friends.
And in just about any minute now, in fact, the Obamas are expected to depart the Blair House and take what is really a five- minute ride then to St. John's and that's when they are going to proceed into the sanctuary where Suzanne is out front of to take part in that church service and also to be greeted by the President and Mrs. Bush.
ROBERTS: Boy, if it was five minutes. They'll be driving awfully slow. I think it will probably take them about 45 seconds to get there.
CHETRY: They are allowing for five minutes because you never know.
ROBERTS: I don't think they are going to run into any traffic. But getting back to this idea of the parish that Barack Obama may call home. St. John's Episcopal Church has been serving presidents for more than a hundred years, almost 200 years, in fact. It's used to the security there. It's a small congregation. It's about 1,000 people.
And those people are used to Secret Service present going through magnetometers, if you will. You know, back in the 1990s when Bill Clinton went there a lot. One of the concerns that Barack Obama has about which church he'll pick is that the congregants will have to obviously deal with some inconvenience in going to church every day but the Secret Service will be there. There will be places where they can and cannot go.
There will be metal detectors set out in front. The level of security will be substantive. It may be difficult for them to enjoy the church experience the way they normally do. So he wants to make sure in picking a parish that he can call his home that he doesn't put out people because he could certainly inconvenience them to a great degree.
CHETRY: Well, you can certainly imagine that there would be a lot of pride associated with having the president attend your church and be a part of those services and have your church in the national spotlight in that way and also just to be able to worship alongside the leader of the free world. and again these are some pictures. They are running about two minutes late according to our schedules of course that we have here.
They are to be departing the Blair House where they've been staying and making their way to St. John's and attending that church service this morning. So again, there is another live look. Because it really is an awe inspiring look and we can't show it to you enough of the national mall filling up. Just - I mean, John, it wasn't even 30 minutes ago, that one middle area where you can see some of the security gates there was empty because that was part of the ticketed area where they were letting people in.
Now you can barely differentiate between the parts where people were just making their way there and no assigned seats needed, versus the people that were ticketed to stand in that one area on the Mall.
ROBERTS: There is still a little bit of space in there and it's beginning to fill up. That is what's known as the silver ticketing area. There are a number of different colors to note the various seating areas. The silver ticket area by the way is a standing area. You have the orange, the purple, the blue.
CHETRY: That's Robert Gibbs.
ROBERTS: Robert Gibbs, the incoming press secretary just getting ready to part as well. We spoke to him just a few minutes ago. You have all of the different areas. And just below us here, just below us on the platform is the area of the real VIP area. That is the ticket that you want to have. Although I got to tell you we are in the cat bird seats from our vantage point here and looking down over the platform just about maybe a hundred feet away from where the president will be standing when he gives the inaugural address after taking the oath of office.
CHETRY: That's right. They erected a really nice platform here for all of the world and American press to be able to set up for the cameras. And you know, the other interesting thing to note. There was a lot of talk about the fact - and we see this happening on like New Year's Eve in Times Square where there are so many people texting, calling, trying to communicate electronically that the cell service goes down.
Well my blackberry is no longer sending messages right now. And I can imagine part of it is because just how overloaded all of the services are because of how many people are trying to capture these moments and share them with loved ones and relatives who are not here.
ROBERTS: Yes. They have actually installed more antennas and more transmission towers as well for the cell service here but this many people here all in one place and this electronic age, all of them are trying to share their experience with their friends and relatives, you can imagine that easily overloads the system.
CHETRY: Right.
ROBERTS: There's also, and the Secret Service doesn't like to talk about this much, but there are devices that the Secret Service possesses that can jam cell phone signals, prevent anybody from calling out because as well known the favorite device of terrorists is to use a cell phone to trigger an explosive device.
So they can either jam cellular transmissions or they can actually get the local cell provider to shut down various nodes around the city to create a buffer zone around the secure area. So that no calls go in and out. But right now, it's probably just overload -
CHETRY: Right.
ROBERTS: It's crashing the system.
CHETRY: All of those people. Let's take that shot here that we were showing you just a moment ago outside of Blair House. And if you're just joining us, that is where we're expecting any moment now for the Obamas to depart. This will be the first time we've seen them today, on inauguration day, their first public appearance of what is sure to be a long, draining, yet immensely exciting day for the Obama family as he prepares to take office. And you know on the heels of a busy night last night as they attended many of the balls.
ROBERTS: Right.
CHETRY: And made appearances there as well.
ROBERTS: And there's three unity dinners as well. You know, it's a sort of day though, in talking to past presidents about this that it's just like a whirlwind. It's like your wedding day, right? Wow, is it over that fast?
CHETRY: Exactly.
ROBERTS: Because there is so much adrenaline that's pumping and so many things to do. We're at the point now where the schedule starts to get hot and heavy very, very quickly. You know, he goes to church and then dignitaries start arriving here at the capital and the next three hours will be over before you know it and we'll have the new president shortly after noon when he recites those 35 words of the oath of office.
Things are about to kick into high gear here and there is still hundreds of thousands of people who are trying to get down to the mall before noon, before the swearing in. The official program begins at 11:30 and according to the constitution, the new president will be sworn in at precisely noon. And then he will then give an inaugural address. His first chance really to speak to the American people as the president. A number of themes that he will hit upon and really kind of set the tone for the next four years here.
CHETRY: That's right. Along that same lines, again, the oath of office will be administered by Justice Stevens and an introduction of a lot of performers will be taking place a little bit later. Then, of course, the presidential oath is administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Is that you?
ROBERTS: Another John Roberts. Yes.
CHETRY: Not you but the chief justice of the Supreme Court. And again as you said right on cue, 12:00, the inaugural address begins. What do they expect about 20 minutes in length? Maybe even longer than that? And something that he has been working on since about the first or second week of November, trading drafts with some of his speech writers.
ROBERTS: Yes, his chief writer has been bringing some themes his way and he sort of reworks them and sends them back. But we understand from talking with people in the transition team that most of the speech he wrote himself. He's a great speaker. Many great speakers are also great writers. And he certainly does have a knack, as we saw during the course of the election campaign, of inspiring people.
It's also interesting to note that somebody, and I can't remember who it was, said that every time he speaks to the nation, the collective blood pressure of America drops about 10 points. So it will be fascinating to watch the response to that inaugural address as he seeks to both inspire and to sort of, you know, issue a little bit of a sobering challenge to America that people need to take responsibility, to help in the economic recovery, to make this a better place, and that people may need to sacrifice some that -
CHETRY: Right.
ROBERTS: We haven't gotten any kind of direction on what kind of sacrifice the president may be asking the American people to make during this period of economic uncertainty as he tries to bring the economy back up to the fabulous engine that it once was.
CHETRY: Again, you're looking at the outside of Blair House. This is the temporary residence of the incoming president and his family. So the Obamas are inside there right now. They were due out about 10 minutes ago. Maybe running a little bit late this morning. They famously took a trip to the Lincoln Memorial about a week ago and his older daughter Malia looked up at Lincoln and looked at her dad as they were talking about what he was going to bring up in his inaugural address.
And she said, "first African-American president. Better be good." So even his daughter upping the ante and putting the pressure on dad there. But all of us waiting to hear what it is he is going to say, how he is going to say it and how it will be received by this record crowd.
ROBERTS: And as Christiane Amanpour was saying just a few minutes ago, not only are people in America waiting to hear what he has to say in the inaugural address but people around the world are as well. And this program is being carried to people around the world on CNN International.
Polls suggesting that there is a renewed hope in America's leadership in the world. I remember having a dinner with Colin Powell some months ago now. I guess it was back in May. In which he said, he hoped that the next president of the United States, whomever that may be - and it was uncertain who even the democratic nominee is going to be at that point. He hope that the next president of the United States would be able to resist the urge to get drawn into the crisis of the day and concentrate on this issue of global wealth creation.
And that's not to say that you know, you try to make as much money as possible, but you try to lift the developing world closer to the first world through benevolent programs, through investment, through micro loans, you know, to people at the very lowest levels to try to sort of increase the standings of these nations -
CHETRY: Yes.
ROBERTS: And reaffirm America's prominence in the world.
CHETRY: Look at that crowd. ROBERTS: Unfortunately, though, there is so much on his plate now that you wonder if he'll be able to do that, to resist the crisis of the day is pretty much impossible at this point.
CHETRY: Oh, certainly, an enormous and monumental challenge. I still can't get over those incredible pictures we're looking at. We have watched this before our very eyes fill up the way that it has from just a few stragglers out here at 3:00 a.m. to a sea of faces of happy faces. There you see it on the National Mall this morning.
Our Dana Bash has been watching this unfold as well. And you know as John was just talking about several months ago, meeting with Colin Powell and not even knowing who the democratic nominee was going to be, how far we've come, I mean, looking back all the way to Iowa when that state gave Barack Obama the primary win and many African- Americans said, you know what for the first time I believe that an African-American could be president.
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is so true, Kiran. You know, looking back to Iowa. Wow, that seems like seven lifetimes ago at this point, doesn't it? You're absolutely right. I mean at that point, you know, Hillary Rodham Clinton was still looked at as shoo-in right before Iowa, I should say, somebody who had poll numbers, you know, through the roof, somebody who was really unbeatable.
And, obviously, that changed dramatically, particularly with the Iowa caucuses. But you know this is a scene that is really touching everybody. In particular, here on Capitol Hill. I just ran into a republican Senator Lindsay Graham. And you heard him like I did, pretty much every day out on the campaign trail with John McCain and really pushing hard against Barack Obama to be president, but he pretty much as much as anybody has been reaching out across the aisle to Barack Obama and trying to see how he, as a republican can facilitate getting the Obama agenda.
ROBERTS: I hate to interrupt you here. Dana, I'm sorry we had to interrupt you because the President-elect and his wife Michelle just exiting Blair House now and getting into that new presidential limo. And they will be making their way over to St. John's Episcopal Church for the traditional church service on inauguration day. Looking at him there, smiling.
This is the first chance we've had an opportunity to see him on this day. This incredible day for America and this unbelievable day for him and his family.
CHETRY: Absolutely.
ROBERTS: We're hearing some cheering down there in the crowds. Like I say -
CHETRY: You know what -
ROBERTS: In one of the big screens. CHETRY: Right. It's one of the huge cameras out there and people certainly cheering and waving. There we see it drive away with what we call the "the beast" right? The presidential car - they say a state-of-the-art car unlike any we've ever seen in terms of the extraordinary security and the fact that that operates almost as an office, a White House on wheels, if you will. He is able to communicate with world leaders to be in touch around the globe and also the enormous security ringing that car with not only the way it's made, but also some unbelievable new technologies as they make their way, Michelle and Barack Obama, our future president and First Lady, making their way to St. John's Church, just a couple of minutes away.
Again, what did you say? It should only take them about 45 seconds? We'll see how long it takes.
ROBERTS: Unless they are driving very, very slowly. They are just going out there through the White House complex of offices. They'll turn right on H street and they'll go down literally a couple of streets and then they'll turn left and they will be there. It's just a right turn onto H Street down the top part of Lafayette Square. And then a quick left turn.
CHETRY: And waiting for them along with many other members of the press is our own Suzanne Malveaux who is outside of St. John's Church. So they are running a little bit late, about 15 minutes behind schedule, Suzanne, but they are on their way to you now heading in for that private service at St. John's Episcopal.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And we are actually seeing them pull up in front of the church here. The motorcade, you can probably get a sense of the shot yourself as the doors will be opening very shortly, being greeted by the reverend Dr. Louis Leon there at the door awaiting for the arrival of the soon-to-be next first family.
There we see them getting out of the "beast," as you say. Michelle Obama. Barack Obama, hand in hand walking into the church. Waving to a small crowd that's gathered outside. Very, very small. This is a very secure, tight secure area.
CHETRY: There you see, Suzanne. He - they are both shaking hands with the Reverend as they get ready to make their way inside. And we saw about 10 minutes ago, the Bidens enter the church as well. So both of them now, both couples inside right now and this service expected to last until about 9:45 Eastern time and that is when they will depart en route to the White House.
And of course, all of the seating will begin. But inside, some moments of reflection. Some time to sort of think and ponder the enormity of today for that family and how extraordinarily life- changing the experience will be as Barack Obama prepares to take office as leader of the free world. You can only imagine what he may be praying about this morning in that service.
MALVEAUX: Faces among there in the crowd - the person delivering the sermon is mega pastor TD Jakes. He has been a friend of the Obamas for several years. He is very well known and he is out of Dallas, Texas, founder of Potter's House. It's a mega church, more than 28,000 members. But he didn't endorse any particular candidate. But he did participate in Obama's campaign prayer conference calls. He was really someone they turned to for guidance when they had those troubled situations with the Reverend Wright, his former pastor. He was someone that he turned to and asked for some guidance, religious help at that difficult, difficult time.
ROBERTS: Yes. To tell you, much more intimate setting for Revered TD Jakes there at St. John's Episcopal Church. It's a very small church and it actually looks a lot larger in this picture than it is in reality. It's a sort of church where you can blink and pass it by. Suzanne Malveaux for us outside St. John's and we will be watching for the end of that service when the President-elect and his wife and the Vice President-elect and his wife Jill departs and we'll be getting ready to head up here to the capitol.
Again, things happening fast and furious now in the schedule. A lot of dignitaries will be arriving soon to be seated in their places here in the platform in preparation for the inaugural ceremony which will begin at 11:30 Eastern time. That's just a little bit more than 2 1/2 hours from now. And then the inauguration, the oath of office to be delivered precisely at noon, according to the constitution.
Again, hundreds of thousands of people have gathered on the National Mall and hundreds of thousands more are trying to make their way into Washington, D.C. and down there in the crowd, our Carol Costello. Let's check back in with her this morning. Good morning, Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. I'm telling you the mall is chock full of people. I think from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the Washington Monument, there is not a space to be had. People are filling this Mall. And you can see this crowd around me. We are keeping each other warm. And when I announced to them that Barack Obama had gotten out of his limousine and got into St. John's, a kind of cheer went up there. And you're not even concerned that he is running 15 minutes late this morning, are you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not at all. I'm just glad to be here. Me and my family, everyone from Long Beach, California.
COSTELLO: So you guys came all the way from California.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
COSTELLO: Why did you want to be here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I had to see this historic moment. I had to see Obama and I had to see him swearing in. I had to be here.
COSTELLO: It's probably unlikely that you're going to get a glimpse of the real live man Barack Obama. Does not concern you? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I'm here. And I'm with everyone else, I'm here. Just to be here, I can go home and tell my kids how much I've enjoyed this. I'm here.
COSTELLO: That's so awesome. You know these ladies have been keeping me warm and I really appreciate that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: You're from Atlanta. Why are you here today?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am. I'm the principal of an alternative school, Crossroad Second Chance North in Fulton county. And I am here because not only is it a very historic moment for our world really, but to encourage my students to continue to have high expectations, dream a bigger dream, and make it happen crossroads. No excuses. Make it happen.
COSTELLO: You heard her, students! Listen! And you are from the Bahamas.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
COSTELLO: You've been keeping me very warm and I appreciate it but you can't even vote in the United States, yet, you're here today. Why is that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're here today, me along with my family and friends because we wanted to be a part and witness history. It's not only for Americans, but it's for people everywhere.
COSTELLO: All right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are so honored to be here that we flew in from the Bahamas in all of this cold weather to be to say Bahama mammas! Bahama!
COSTELLO: I'm loving that. How about you? Why are you here today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm here to see Barack Obama become inaugurated and become our first black president and probably one of the best presidents we've ever had since FDR.
COSTELLO: So these ladies are from New Orleans. Because they came up with an Obama song. But before you do that, I want to ask you about the historical significance of this day and why you are braving the cold and waiting for the Jumbotron to show Barack Obama.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I am - my name is Cynthia Francis and I'm from Lafayette, Louisiana. And we are here, along with the other Louisianans from New Orleans. And we just want to be a part of history.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.
COSTELLO: What does it feel like right now to be amongst all the people out there milling about on the Mall?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It feels awesome. Awesome. Just a spectacular time in the history of our country to have our first African-American president. It's just beyond words.
COSTELLO: How does it make you feel to be an American?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It makes me very proud to be an American. Truly proud.
COSTELLO: Somebody told me they felt hyper-American today. How do you feel?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel absolutely great. I took a long journey to get here, 20 hours on a train and three hours on a bus. I had to be here. I wasn't feeling well but I said - I came by myself. I'm from Jolie, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago where Obama is from. So it is just a great feeling to be here. I just had to be here.
COSTELLO: Did you make friends with these ladies down here just today?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I did! I got in front of her!
COSTELLO: And you learned the Obama song from them, didn't you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kind of, sort of. I heard it in the background.
COSTELLO: And she joined in. So they really want to perform this song and it's very cute, I must admit. So take it away, ladies!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jambalaya across feeling gumbo, son of a gun, we are having fun on the bayou. Jambalaya across this path feeling gumbo, son of a gun, we're having fun on the mall.
COSTELLO: You know it's really interesting, John and Kiran. Because as you walk through the Mall, people spontaneously burst into song and everybody has their own made-up song about Barack Obama. It's really quite a fun thing to experience.
ROBERTS: They are in fine form this morning, Carol, and in great voice. Carol Costello for us in the Mall. Thanks so much, Carol. We'll check back with you a little bit later on.
CHETRY: And we're pleased to have with us right now New York Senator Chuck Schumer, Charles Schumer, thanks for being with us this morning.
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Oh, what a day.
CHETRY: And what a day, indeed. We knew that we were going to see huge crowds. But when you look out over there and you can see people stretched from here all the way up to the Washington Monument and beyond, what do you think? SCHUMER: It's amazing. This is a moment in history and people get it. It's a moment in history. The minute of course he raises his hand to be sworn in. But we're going to be making history all year and it's sort of the combination of first African-American president but one of those turning points in America. Probably haven't had it since 1980.
ROBERTS: Right.
SCHUMER: So it's that kind of excitement. And then you add on the feeling that he is breaking and it's unparallel. I mean, I have never - I was all throughout New York state yesterday. The excitement in African-American churches but up in rural New York as well. It's incredible. People realize they have such faith and hope in this country and it's amazing that it happened at a time when the economy is going down and we're worried about the future and this man comes along. It's a moment.
ROBERTS: What do you think that this moment, as you say, in history is going to mean for the country in the next few years?
SCHUMER: Well, Barack Obama will be a different kind of president. There will be a clear break with George Bush and the republican past in that the government will be more active, but it's not necessarily going to be a left wing government. He is a moderate activist. And he is going to work with the republicans and bring people together.
And I think we're going to see major changes in this country in the short term to get the economy going. Medium term, you know, try to fix health care, education, energy, Iraq. But in the long term, and this is where we are all coming together, his sense of responsibility that everybody has to be part of this, that we can't be a country that consumes more than we produce, that imports more than we export, that borrows more than we spend. And that is a message that will resonate throughout broad America. So what a moment.
CHETRY: You know, is it time for those type of sweeping changes when there is so much goodwill? I mean, you know, as you just said, not a country that spends more than - you know, we bring in.
SCHUMER: Right.
CHETRY: Not a country that imports too much. Are people willing to make sacrifices right now?
SCHUMER: They are.
CHETRY: How do you capitalize on this feeling of hope and happiness?
