10:20 a.m.
There have been obligatory Lincoln remarks at the kick off of this train trip, which replicates a part of President A. Lincoln's rail journey in 1861. He spoke of the "better angels of our nature," a line from Lincoln's Second Inaugural, and also mentioned the reslience of "government of by and for the people," which echoes the Gettysburg Address.
"Let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change of america, that it's just the beginning."
10:17 am
"We meet to continue their work," Obama says. As in the Founders. "Only a few times in our history has a generation been confronted wtih challenges so vast." He also says it is time for a new declaration of Independence - "independence from ideology and small thinking, independence from bigotry."
10:13 a
Obama is speaking. "It was here that our American journey began...it was a risky thing meeting in that summer of 1776. there was no guarantee their experiment would succeed....and yet they were willing to put all they were and all they had on the line."
10:00 a.m.
At 30th street station in front of the bas relief "Spirit of Transportation" mural, waiting for President-elect Barack Obama to speak to supporters before his train trip to Washington. Mayor Nutter, Gov. Rendell and Sens. Bob Casey (D) and Arlen Specter (R) praised the new day in America.
Obama's motorcade left the Sheraton Center City at 9:50 a.m. Police reported it is 9 degrees Fareheit outside. Still there are protestors - "Repent Obama!" - and hawkers outside the station, plus curious folks looking for a glimpse.
Today is Michelle Obama's 45th Birthday. She's going to be on the train. Perhaps a cake?
Click here for Philly.com's politics page.
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This will be the longest 4yrs in American history. Can't wait for this "dancing with the stars" experience to be over.....— STIII- Jimmy Madison wrote: 10:59 AM, 01/17/2009 "I like the Declaration of Independence that we have, and think I'll keep it. What's next, Obama? A new Constitution?" Jimmy, you obviously can't let go of your "ideology and small thinking" and "bigotry". The Constitution has been amended 27 times; which version do you adhere to?— Jose Figueroa
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- Have to agree on the appearance of the Mrs.'s. Somethings not clickin'...— STIII
- "independence from ideology and small thinking, independence from bigotry." Oh Jimbo, He didn't say rewrite it, he mere suggested that you might want to add the two new declarations, that would help people like you and the rest of the Obama haters. I know, it's going to be a loooooong four years for all of you. . . . . . . Happy Birthday Michelle Obama. :0)— DREXHILLMOM
- To Dave. My fellow American I am a 22 year vet of the Air Force. Yes I put the current administration in office the last 8 years with no regret. As for you "American" rant about VA hospitals and missing arms, have YOU ever wore the uniform? Or do you get all your information for the Liberal lead media? And plz let me know if you ever served Sir. Now back to your corner.....— STIII
- STIII, I have also served, and must say I am often embarrassed by comments such as those that you have made. You make it look like all veterans are stubborn right-wingers who get all THEIR news from Fox. This is not true at all and reflects poorly on our military. If you served with pride, then by all means you have earned the right to go about your life knowing that you have done great things for our great country, but please be wary of painting all veterans as extremists who can not admit when their nation has made mistakes.— FMT
- STIII, sorry I never served; I guess that makes me less of an American.— Timmy
- This is exactly the type of low-brow discourse (on both sides) that has gotten our country into the trouble it's in, but unfortunately is what I've come to expect of most Americans. Giving up this type of childish mudslinging and having real, substantiative discussions about issues is the only way out of the crisis we are in as a nation.— anonymous10
- Why was there no public event for this send-off in Philadelphia? Even a correct departure time was impossible to find. Why no chance for us in Philly to celebrate the train's departure (like in Wilmington)? Something weird about all this, and a scandal.— kimb
- I wish we would have known Mr. Obama was starting his whistle stop in Philly. We should have rolled out the red carpet for him! I'm sure they are going to do this for him in Delaware. What are we, a bunch of losers who didn't show him proper respect? Who dropped the ball?— Foxclove5
- Bush and Cheney are criminals who lied about the war and sided with the thieves on Wall Street. I want to thank the Republican voters for the hardships this country is going through. And they did nothing about the bombings at the World Trade Center. Thousands of people dead in New York. They did Nothing! Except go to Iraq and cause the deaths of thousands of Iraqi citizens and US soldiers.— MsLou
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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