Saturday January 20, 2001
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 20, 2001
The Inauguration of George W. Bush
In a nonstop day that began with prayers in the morning and ended with partying at night, George W. Bush became the 43rd U.S. president Saturday, promising in his inaugural address to build “a single nation of justice and opportunity.”
“Now is not the time for speeches — it’s the time for dancing,” Bush joked at the first inaugural ball he visited Saturday night. Bush and wife Laura attended 10 post-inaugural events in all, including the eight balls, a ninth party added at the Washington Convention Center and an affair honoring veterans.
The joyous spirit was apparent throughout the day in Washington, although the appearance of thousands of protesters served as a reminder of the contested election that was finally declared a Bush victory in December.
Bush assumed the presidency from former President Bill Clinton just after noon Saturday, and quickly moved to assert his new power: Before the inaugural parade had begun, he had formally nominated members of his Cabinet and ordered federal agencies to suspend implementing new regulations within an hour of taking office.
“I’m here to tell the country that things will get done, that we’re going to rise above expectations, that both Republicans and Democrats will come together to do what’s right for America,” Bush, now the 43rd U.S. president, said at a congressional luncheon in his honor Saturday. (Source: CNN)