Inaugural reactions
Posted by The Skyliner on January 28th, 2009Kellan Mayfield
Staff Writer
On Jan. 20, 2009, millions of people tuned in to watch Inauguration Day as former Illinois Senator Barack Obama was sworn into office, becoming the 44th U.S. president.
A record-breaking 1.8 million people were present in Washington, D.C. as the inaugural festivities took place, which included the inaugural parade, luncheon and various balls and concerts. Following the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol building, President Obama delivered his inaugural address and laid out his plans for his term in office.
North Greenville University student reactions toward the inauguration and Obama’s presidency were fairly positive.
“I think the inauguration represented a clean break from the ideologies of the past eight years. It also signaled a possible change in race relations in the United States. Only time will tell, however, if this is a change that we can ‘believe in’ or if it is just the sparkling rhetoric of politics,” Alex Reynolds, junior media ministry, said.
“Obama is the leader of our country, and we cannot expect him to succeed if only half the country is supporting him. So we as Christians need to obey the Word by praying for the leadership of this nation,” Bethany Sarazen, junior theatre, said.
“I heard the announcers stating that it was a controversial decision for Obama to choose [Saddleback Church’s Rick] Warren to pray, but personally I liked that Warren was picked to pray. Rick Warren is an evangelistic Christian preacher that stood for his convictions even as he prayed before millions of viewers, and I am thankful for that,” Josh Gibson, sophomore Christian studies, said.