Houstonist joined the Harris County Democratic Party and the Seafarers International Union at the union's downtown headquarters to watch the inauguration of our nation's 44th President.
Among local Democrats, union workers, reporters, Black, white, Asian and Hispanic voters of all ages, the crowd also included Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast Vice President of the Seafarers International Union; Gerry Birnberg, Chairman of the HCDP; County Attorney Vince Ryan; Harris County Judge Jim Sharp and District Courts Judge Steven E. Kirkland.
P.S. Houstonist apologizes for the delay — wifi service Downtown still has some kinks, apparently.
10:20 a.m. — Malia and Sasha, the Obama girls, just came on the screen and there was an audible "aww" from the women in the crowd. They are adorbs.
10: 25 — Dean Corgey is reading a speech from his PDA. He's quoting Teddy Roosevelt.
10:26 — Gerry Birnberg speaks: "While Barack Obama is going to be sleeping in the White House tonight, too many Americans are going to be sleeping on the street." The crowd says amen.
10:27 — At Birnberg's request, crowd is taking oath of citizenship to the United States. Oath includes promise to vote and "keep the dream alive."
10:36 — Someone actually booed when Bush was first shown on screen a few minutes ago. Now there is a handful of applause as dignitaries are announced. Guy behind us just yelled "Ciao!"
10:38 — President Obama just came on the screen, people are standing and applauding. He looks like he's barely holding it together. And there's Joe Biden, looking cool in a blue scarf. Obama fun fact: President Obama is younger than the actress who played Andrea Zuckerman on Beverly Hills 90210.
10:39 — Houstonist loves Nancy Pelosi. Pan-out shows hundreds of thousand of people on the Mall, maybe twice as many as at the Berlin speech.
10:43 — Room at Seafarer's Union is really starting to fill up now. NPR says some of Obama's relatives from Kenya are in D.C. as guests. Two big-screen TVs are at top volume and it's really hard to hear.
10:45 — Michelle looks so classy and beautiful. Houstonist loves MIchelle Obama.
10:47 — Dianne Feinstein "We pledge ourselves ... to the renewed call to greatness inspired by the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama."
10:49 — Rick Warren's speech is quite moving, apparently off the cuff. People in the crowd are sniffling, saying "Amen" and "Yes!"
10:53 — Now mass reciting of the Lord's Prayer, on CNN and in Houston. Here comes Aretha! In a great hat. She's singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee."
10:57 — Biden takes oath. That Bible is HUGE. That may be the least-verbose speech Biden's ever given! Ovations commence. Someone in the room just yelled "Arrest Cheney!"
10:59 — The Dream Team of classical musicians performs. Woman at a table next to us is crying, speaking emotionally to a TV reporter who is *not* interviewing her, but we can't hear what she is saying.
11 a.m. Central, Noon EST — Barack Obama is officially President, even though oath hasn't taken place yet. Of course, people clap for that. Michelle reaches out and squeezes his shoulder while Yo Yo Ma plays. President Obama looks so pensive, introspective.
11:04 — Justice Roberts introduced. Obama voted against Roberts' confirmation to the SCOTUS. Everyone in the room stands and won't sit down.
11:05 — OMG Obama flubs the oath! He IS nervous. And just a few seconds later, it's over. People are hooting, crying, yelling, hugging strangers next to them. Guy behind us says "Now the party begins!" People continue to clap. Obama is introduced as President, crowd here and on TV goes bonkers, chanting "Obama! Obama!" as he begins his speech.
11:09 — "That we are in the midst of crisis in now well understood." He blames it partially on our failure to make good choices. "Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land... We have chosen hope over fear... The time has come to set aside childish things." Lots of lines getting cheers from the crowd here.
11:13 — "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the remaking of America." Houstonist just looked around and it's standing room only at the Seafarer's Union.
11:16 — Camera pans to show that Malia is recording everything with her digicam! So cute! It is White House 2.0. People laugh openly when camera pans to George W. Bush.
11:19 — "Our spirit is strong and we will not be broken." His talk about moving forward as a humanity, racial and religious tolerance, and gets lots of "Amens." Watching this here is really like being at a church service. Subtle digs at previous Administration get applause too. "The world has changed and we must change with it."
11:22 — Shout outs to soldiers, 9-11 firefighters, New Orleans, plant workers, his own father. "Remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled." Then he quotes George Washington. Room has been very quiet but people are fist-pumping to parts they like.
11:28 — Speech is over, but very few people leave. Some pose for photographs. Some listen to Inaugural poem, other speeches. The party continues into the evening, when the Dems are hosting a fete at Hotel Derek.
Photo: Flickr user ajagendorf25
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