Inaugural Reception: President Obama Gives Shout Out To FLOTUS's Bangs--And To Donors

A thank-you party for benefactors at the National Building Museum...

President Barack Obama celebrated his the start of his second term on Sunday evening with a candle-lit inaugural reception at the National Building Museum in Washington, where Stevie Wonder was the headliner and guests were donors and benefactors to the reelection campaign and the inaugural festivities.  The President was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden as he stood on stage and spoke to the well-heeled crowd, and opened with what he deadpanned was the most important topic du jour.

"First of all, I love Michelle Obama," President Obama said, to cheers.  "And to address the most significant event of this weekend, I love her bangs. She looks good.  She always looks good."

There were more cheers as Mrs. Obama, clad in a black sleeveless sequined cocktail sheath, laughed and shook her now-famous bangs at the President.  Her hairstyle was revealed on her 49th birthday on Thursday, in a photo posted to her newly created @FLOTUS Twitter account, and has been making headlines ever since.  

The First Lady had already complimented her husband during her own remarks, also garnering cheers from the guests, who held phones aloft to snap photos.

"Let me tell you, it has just been a true thrill to watch this handsome, charming individual grow into the man and the President that he is," Mrs. Obama said.  "We have seen him every single day--his integrity, his character, his sense of humor--his compassion, his courage."

The love fest continued, with the President giving a shout out to both Bidens.  Noting that selecting "your partner during the course of your presidency" is a tough choice, the President congratulated himself for being "spot on" with his selection for Veep.

"I could not have a better partner than Joe Biden.  And Joe Biden couldn’t have a better partner than Dr. Jill Biden."

The President kept his remarks short--"I'm delivering another speech tomorrow so tonight I'm going to be pretty brief, because there are a limited amount of good lines and you don’t want to use them all up"-- and turned to the business of thanking the many donors and supporters who have made his presidency possible.  

He closed by asking everyone to continue to work for his agenda, asking them to "make sure you know that what we’re celebrating is not the election or swearing-in of a President;  what we’re doing is celebrating each other, and celebrating this incredible nation that we call home."

"All of you here understood and were committed to the basic notion that when we put our shoulders to the wheel of history, it moves," President Obama said.  "It moves forward.  And that’s part of what we celebrate when we come together for Inauguration."

"The theme of this year's Inauguration is 'Our people and our future.'  And throughout my career, what’s always given me energy and inspiration and hope, what’s allowed me to stand up when I’ve been knocked down, are folks like you--the decency, the goodness, the resilience, the neighborliness, the patriotism, the sense of duty, the sense of responsibility of the American people.  You have inspired me throughout."

Inaugural Officials declined to give a crowd count, but the hall was packed.  The First and Second Couples exited the stage with waves as the audience cheered.  (Above, the President and VP shake hands as their wives look on)

All four worked the ropeline for about fifteen minutes, shaking hands, chatting, and in some cases leaning over and giving hugs as Bruce Springsteen's We Take Care of Our Own blasted on the sound system.  Springsteen wrote the song for the President's reelection effort, and headlined rallies for him.  The band The Source and the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters also performed at the reception.

The President and Mrs. Obama arrived at the partly shortly after 8:30 PM, and were back at the White House by 9:53 PM.  On Monday evening, after a day filled with inaugural ceremonies, they will attend the Commander-in-Chief's Ball and The Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.  On Tuesday evening, they will attend the Staff Ball, the last-ever inaugural party of Mr. Obama's two terms in office.

On Saturday night, the First Lady and Dr. Biden also partied inaugural style, hosting the Kids' Inaugural concert, honoring children from military families. 

Earlier in the weekend...
Ahead of Sunday's private White House swearing-in, the President and First Family attended a morning service at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the most historic churches in the nation, in an outing not listed on the President's official schedule.   Before church, the President and Vice President Joe Biden  laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, during a brief 9:00 AM ceremony.  Biden was sworn in early Sunday morning during a private ceremony at his official residence, the Naval Observatory.  It was far larger than the President's ceremony, with 120 guests.

President Obama and the First Family kicked off the four days of inaugural festivities on Saturday, joining citizens across the nation for the National Day of Service.  They helped refurbish DC's Burrville Elementary School, staining a five-tier bookshelf as their project.  
 
CLICK HERE for links to all inaugural posts.   

*Photos by AP/pool

Vice President Joe Biden Takes The Oath Of Office At The Naval Observatory

Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor officiates; private ceremony included 120 guests and celebratory breakfast...
Vice President Joe Biden and his family and guests celebrated a Catholic mass at his Naval Observatory residence on Sunday morning ahead of the swearing-in ceremony for his second term, with the oath of office administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. (Above, Dr. Jill Biden holds the family bible as the Vice President takes the oath)

120 guests attended, according to the Vice President's Office, including Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary Ken Salazar, President Obama's longtime advisor David Axelrod, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic National Committee Chair Nancy Wasserman-Schultz, AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka, other current and former members of Congress, and other Democratic political figures.

Standing on a small blue stage surrounded by Dr. Jill Biden and extended family, the Vice President, wearing a dark suit, took the oath of office at 8:21 AM.  He was backdropped by an American flag, and placed his hand on a massive family Bible dating to 1893, held by Dr. Biden.  The Bible has a Celtic Cross on the cover, and the Vice President will use it again at Monday's ceremony at the Capitol. 

"Vice President Biden personally selected Associate Justice Sotomayor, who will be the first Hispanic and fourth female judge to administer an oath of office," the Vice President's Office said.  She will do a repeat performance on Monday at the Capitol.  The Vice President and Justice Sotomayor were introduced at 8:18 for the swearing in, as the guests stood and applauded.

Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S. J.,Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Georgetown University,  offered a prayer on behalf of the Vice President "as he renews his sacred pledge to his country."

"Amid all the complexities of our world, a world so beautiful but also broken, give him a share of your wisdom so that he can know what is good and give him the courage to always do what is right," said Rev. O'Brien, and he also prayed for the President and First Family.

Sotomayor then administered the oath to "Joseph R. Biden, Jr." In 2009, Justice John Paul Stevens included his full middle name, Robinette, pool noted. It's the same oath Biden took as a Senator seven times, and once before for Vice President.

After the oath was completed, Biden kissed the Justice and told her it was an honor. He then turned to acknowledge the applause of the audience, and turned to hug and kiss his wife.

As the crowd continued to applaud Biden grabbed Justice Sotomayor's hands, saying, "Madame Justice these are some of my friends, and family."

"I want to explain to you what a wonderful honor it was, and how much out of her way the Justice had to go," the Vice President told his guests.  "She is due in New York. She has to leave right now. So I apologize."

The Justice had a book promotion appearance scheduled in New York, and the Vice President escorted her out, and also made his own exit, heading to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns with President Obama.

"I'll be back, they tell me, in 40 minutes," Biden said.  "I hope of some you will still be here. But I thank you very, very, very much for sharing this morning with Jill and me. And Madame Justice, it's been an honor - a great honor. Thank you!"

"Enjoy breakfast!" the Vice President said as he departed.  The breakfast was served outdoors on the grounds of the Naval Observatory.

Pooler Mike Memoli of LA Times caught up with Democratic strategist/CNN commentator Donna Brazile, who said the Vice President's ceremony was for her "such a special occasion."  (Above, a long view of the ceremony, tweeted by Memoli)

"I've known Joe Biden for over 25 years and to witness his private swearing in with his friends, close friends and family, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor, I don't think it gets any better," Brazile said. Perhaps it gets better with President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts. But I saw that video. This was new, this was different, and I'm so grateful to be part of this historic occasion."

Pool asked about the inclusion of some notable early primary state guests and other Democratic notables.

"Of course we can always start the political calculations in terms of the number of delegates needed to secure a nomination. But let's just say I see a number of superdelegates here as well," Brazile said.

Three women have previously sworn-in presidents and vice presidents, according to the Vice President's Office:  Judge Sarah T. Hughes swore-in President Johnson in 1963; Justice Sandra Day O’Connor swore-in Vice President Dan Quayle in 1989; and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg swore-in Vice President Al Gore in 1997. 

"'It's an incredible honor to have Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor swear me in," the Vice President said in a statement. "I believed strongly that she would make a great Justice, and it was one of the greatest pleasures of my career to be involved in her selection to the Court.  From the first time I met her, I was impressed by Justice Sotomayor’s commitment to justice and opportunity for all Americans, and she continues to exemplify those values today. Above all, I’m happy for the chance to be sworn in by a friend – and someone I know will continue to do great things.'"

Biden has used his family Bible every time he was sworn in as a US Senator, and when he was sworn in as Vice President in 2009.  His son Beau Biden used it when he was sworn in as Delaware’s Attorney General.

An American flag from the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was displayed behind the stage as the Vice President took his oath, as were two paintings: N.C. WYETH's Lincoln Delivering His Second Inaugural Address and Victor Letonoff's So Proudly We Hailed.

Guests were seated in three rooms for the ceremony, all with a view of the main room where the Vice President stood on the stage to take his oath. Along with Dr. Biden and Justice Sotomayor, the Vice President was surrounded by Beau Biden, Hallie Biden, R. Hunter Biden, Natalie Biden, Hunter Biden, Kathleen Biden, Naomi Biden, Finnegan Biden, Maisy Biden, Ashley Biden, and Howard Krein.

During the brief 9:00 AM ceremony at Arlington, the President and Biden placed a large wreath with blue and red flowers at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and then stood with their hands on their hearts as 'Taps" was played.  President Obama will take the oath of office at a small White House ceremony at 11:55 AM today.

In addition to those listed above, guests at the ceremony included: Fmr Sen. Ted Kaufman, Donna Brazile, Fmr Sen. Chris Dodd, ex-White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, Rep. Jim Clyburn, Sen. Bob Casey, Sen. Tim Kaine, Gov. Maggie Hassan, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Tom Donilon.

*Top photo by @ObamaInaugural; second from Office of the Vice President

First Lady Michelle Obama Honors Military Families At Kids' Inaugural Concert

Katy Perry headlines star-studded concert; First Lady pledges to continue to fight for military family initiatives...
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted the hottest ticket in town on Saturday night for the 57th Presidential Inaugural, welcoming hundreds of military kids and their parents to the Kid's Inaugural: Our Children Our Future concert at the Washington Convention Center.  Designed to continue the work of the Joining Forces campaign to support and honor service members and their families, the event was jam-packed with celebrity crooners, including headliner Katy Perry, Usher, Far East Movement and Mindless Behavior. (Above, the First Lady and First Daughters greet the crowd)

Clad in a dramatic white peplum top with a gold belt over black slacks, Mrs. Obama vowed ongoing support for military families as she took the stage toward the end of the two-hour show, and addressed the kids directly, leaving First Daughters Malia and Sasha in the front row with friends and First Grandmother Marian Robinson. 

"Now, inauguration is a pretty big deal," Mrs. Obama told the cheering kids, "But my very favorite part of this entire weekend is being right here with all of you."

"By supporting your family you all are helping to protect this country and keep every single one of us safe.  Dr. Biden and I are so incredibly proud of you all.   The Vice President is proud...the President...they are proud of you."

The First Daughters were literally dancing in their seats, as were the other excited kids, as DJ Nice spun tunes between performances.  Children at military bases across the US from Hawaii to Florida participated via livestream, and their images flashed on jumbo screens behind Mrs. Obama as she spoke.  America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon emceed the event with an assist from war hero and Dancing With the Stars champion J.R. Martinez.

The First Lady pledged that the work of Joining Forces will continue even when President Obama's planned draw-down of troops from Afghanistan is complete.

"We will not be drawing down our work to support you," Mrs. Obama said. "The fact is we have a greater obligation to serve you than ever before and we will do everything in our power to meet the obligation, to make sure our military families get the benefits they've earned and the recognition you all deserve."

"We will keep calling on Americans to translate the love and pride we all feel into action that makes a real difference," Mrs. Obama promised, to cheers.


Darren Criss, Naya Rivera and Amber Riley of Glee also performed, as did Soul Children of Chicago, joined by classical musicians Black Violin.  Mrs. Obama jumped to her feet to applaud as the group from her hometown finished their number (above).

Other celebrities offered the families supportive messages via video, including some that welcomed Mrs. Obama to their talk shows during President Obama's reelection campaign: Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, and David Letterman.  Ryan Seacrest, Scandal  and Django Unchained star Kerry Washington, boy band Big Time Rush and other other childrens' entertainers also sent messages.  


The First Lady introduced Perry after she spoke: "It is now my pleasure to introduce the fabulous Katy Perry!" she said, and the singer took the stage, clad in a bustier and tap pants, with stars and stripes.  The songstress, who crooned at numerous rallies for President Obama, performed three of her hits, including "Teenage Dream" and "Wide Open," twirling around the stage with her backup dancers.  Most of the crowd was on its feet.

"I'm very proud to be here...and to see the Obamas and the Bidens here for four more years," Perry said during a break between songs.

Earlier on Saturday, Mrs. Obama and the girls joined President Obama for a community service project for the National Day of Service.  Working together, the President and Mrs. Obama stained a bookcase at Burrville Elementary School in Washington, DC.

On Sunday, President Obama will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery before he is sworn in for his second term at a small White House ceremony.  In the evening, the President and Mrs. Obama will attend an inaugural reception at the National Building Museum.

*CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL INAUGURATION POSTS*

*The menu and recipes for the President's Inaugural Luncheon ARE HERE. 

*Photos by T'Kiyah Lewis/Obama Foodorama

Vice President Joe Biden & Family Participate In National Day Of Service

At DC Armory even, Veep says America's possibilities are "immense"...

Kicking off the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Saturday morning, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden hit the DC Armory for the MLK National Day of Service.  They were joined by their children and grandchildren as they helped pack 100,000 Care Kits filled with necessities for deployed U.S. Service Members, Wounded Warriors, Veterans and First Responders.  (Above, the Veep pauses to greet a volunteer)

The Armory was packed with volunteers, and the Second Couple stood at a long table, filling care kits with items plucked from big plastic tubs. Clad in a navy suit jacket and striped shirt, Biden chatted with volunteers as he worked.  Dr. Biden wore a black sweater with an Obama Biden t-shirt and bright blue jeans tucked into her boots, and stood beside granddaughter Finnegan Biden as she worked.

During brief remarks from the stage, Biden hailed servicemen and women, and spoke about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Servicemen and servicewomen, he said, are "not looking for anything but knowing that we remember is an important piece of the equation." The Vice President added that while only one percent of the nation serves their country, the 99 percent back home owe them their gratitude.

Dr. King instilled "this notion of absolute service," Biden said. "We have to move back to reaching out to people," he said.

The Vice President takes the oath of office for the second time on Sunday, and announced "I think we're on the cusp of doing some really great things."

America is about "possibilities," Biden said, "and the possibilities are immense."

The Unite America in Service Event was organized by Points of Light, according to the the VP's Office, and sponsored by Target.  Former President George H.W. Bush is the honorary chairman of the foundation and board includes members of the Bush family and former Bush White House staffers. The care kit contents included lint rollers, dental floss, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand wipes, Band aids, sanitizer and Q Tips.

"May God protect our troops," Biden said as he exited the stage.

Other family members joining the Second Couple included Beau Biden, Hallie Biden, R. Hunter Biden, Natalie Biden, Hunter Biden, Kathleen Biden, Naomi Biden, Maisy Biden,  Ashley Biden and Howard Krein.  (Above, a long view of the Armory)

The Biden party arrived at the DC Armory at 10:30 AM and worked for about an hour.  They returned to the Naval Observatory at 11:46 AM. 

Meantime, President Obama and the First Family headed to a service event at  Burrville Elementary School in Northeast DC, where they helped refurbish the school in a service project organized by City Year.

*The full schedule for the 57th Presidential Inaugural.

*Top photo by Presidential Inaugural Committee; second by Instagram user MMRay; second photo by Twitter user @JenHarms11

Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, FUN. To Headline Inaugural Balls And Kids' Concert

Lineup includes John Legend, Marc Anthony, Smokey Robinson, cast of 'Glee'...
The Presidential Inaugural Committee on Friday announced the talent lineup for  President Obama's official Inaugural Ball and Commander-in-Chief's Ball on Monday, Jan. 21, and for the Kid's Inaugural, a concert First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will host on on Saturday, January 19, for military families and children. Many of the superstars tapped hit the campaign trail for the President's reelection effort, including Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Nick Cannon, Brad Paisley, and Marc Anthony, who served as a National Campaign Co-Chair.   (Above, Perry wearing a "ballot' dress at a campaign event last October)

FUN., members of the cast of Glee, Mindless Behavior, Smokey Robinson, Soul Children of Chicago, Far East Movement, and Usher will also perform.

The inaugural celebration is scaled back this year, with the President and Mrs. Obama slated to attend just the two official balls on Jan. 21st.  The Kids' Inaugural concert "continues a tradition" Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden "started in 2009 that builds on initiatives like Joining Forces by honoring and celebrating the service and sacrifice of our U.S. military as part of official Inaugural activities," the Committee said.

"We are honored and excited to have such a diverse, talented group of musical guests joining Americans from across the country to celebrate the 57th Inauguration,” said Steve Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Committee.

"We are honored to be playing President @BarackObama's inaugural ball. #inaug2013 @obamainaugural," FUN. wrote on Twitter ‏@OurNameIsFun.

Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, and James Taylor will perform at the Inauguration ceremony on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 21, the Committee announced earlier this week.  All three raised money for the President's campaign war chest.  Beyoncé will sing the National Anthem,  Taylor America the Beautiful and Clarkson will sing My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.

The balls and concert will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL INAUGURATION POSTS.

*The menu and recipes for the President's Inaugural Luncheon ARE HERE.

*Getty photo