John Baer: OK speech, inspiring event

FIRST, LET me say, the event outshined the speech.

Not that the speech was bad. It was fine. And I'll get to it in a minute.

But the crowd - its size, diversity, demeanor and flag-waving ebullience - stole the day.

It said more to me than President Obama did.

And I'm a cynic, although it was hard to be one yesterday.

That crowd on the National Mall (what? two million?) was the most moving display of democracy I've seen in my lifetime.

It suggested a people no longer willing to stand as spectators to their too-often disappointing government.

It showed an eagerness, even in the face of long hours in bitter cold, to be one with something larger than its parts, to join in a common cause - enthusiastically.

And maybe this passes; maybe it's only a one-time fling.

But I sensed, in this bundled mass of America, promise, possibility and a feeling, justified or not, of inclusion.

The only marred moments came when "boos" and a sing-song "na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye" rose from the multitude toward an arriving, then departing, President Bush.

I'm a veteran Bush critic. But this was bad form and diminished an otherwise unequalled show of citizenship.

The speech?

After Chief Justice Roberts and Obama stumbled over wording in the oath of office, Obama delivered an address about the right length, about 18 minutes.

It was good, not great, with thoughtful, though not memorable, lines.

It spoke, but didn't sing, walked but never soared.

The tone was somber, and maybe that's the mood he wanted.

There were no specific promises (I'd remind you that when he announced his candidacy in February '07, he said he had a plan to bring home combat troops by March '08) but broad assertions about overcoming crises.

It laid out challenges in the economy, health care, education and energy, and offered expectations for success, albeit lowered ones.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real," the president said. "They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met."

Highlights for me?

Chiding America for the "greed and irresponsibility" of some, a "collective failure to make hard choices" and, quoting scripture, saying that it's time to "set aside childish things."

Which sort of clunked with me.

But he followed by saying that it's time to "choose our better history, to carry forward that precious gift; that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Not an original thought, I'll grant you, but powerful and poignant, nonetheless.

He called for a "new era of responsibility" to self, nation and the world, and underscored his style of foreign policy with a not-too-subtle repudiation of the out-going administration.

Speaking of which, did Dick Cheney in a wheelchair put anyone else in mind of Dr. Strangelove?

"Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity," Obama said, "and that we are ready to lead once more."

He spoke to terrorists: "Our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

He even reached out to rogue nations: "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Still, the event was more inspiring than the speech.

To see so many, happily gathered from across America to watch the son of an African immigrant sworn-in as president, really does evoke a sense of national rebirth, of political regeneration.

Tough for any speech to compete with that.*

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