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WE ARE YOUNG
The crowd at the official Inaugural Ball appeared somewhat dazed, even bored, as they awaited the president and first lady's arrival.
All that changed when the band fun. broke out into a song they knew by heart. Camera phones in the air, they joined in:
"Tonight, we are young. So let's set the world on fire..."
In unison they sang, until the last verse, when the lead singer's mic cut out. Then it was just the guests filling the massive convention center with the youthful chorus.
— Josh Lederman — Twitter http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
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A SONG HE KNOWS
Jennifer Hudson showed them how it's done at the Commander in Chief's Ball tonight. President Barack Obama danced with first lady Michelle Obama as Hudson cut loose with a rousing rendition of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."
That song and Obama are not strangers.
The last time Obama met that song in public was a year ago, at a fundraiser at New York's famed Apollo Theater. He crooned a few bars, to the delight of the crowd. Then he joked he'd survived the Sandman — a reference to Sandman Sims, the tap dancer who chased unpopular acts offstage at the Apollo for decades.
Also: Here's what you've undoubtedly been looking for — a picture of the first lady and her gown.
— Michele Salcedo — Twitter http://twitter.com/michelesalcedo
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MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?
Barack Obama stood on the stage of the Commander-in-Chief Ball and spoke of the woman he loved. "I've got a date with me here," he said. "She inspires me every day. She makes me a better man and a better president. The fact that she is so devoted to taking care of our troops and our military families is just one more sign of her extraordinary love and grace and strength. I'm just lucky to have her."
Then Michelle Obama emerged, resplendent, and joined him for a dance to "Let's Stay Together," performed by Jennifer Hudson. The president held her cheek to cheek and she whispered to him and sang along.
The First Lady is wearing a custom Jason Wu ruby colored chiffon and velvet gown with a handmade diamond embellished ring by jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald. She is wearing shoes designed by Jimmy Choo. At the end of the inaugural festivities, the outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.
As for what you're probably waiting for, stay tuned to this space for the upcoming photo of the first lady. Oh, yes, and that guy who's the president of the United States.
— Josh Lederman — Twitter http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
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'CHANGE THE LANGUAGE'
"I loved it. Especially when the president talked about ending the name-calling. We need to change the language we use." — Patricia Cooper, 51, of Upper Marlboro, Md. who teaches technology in the Washington, D.C., schools.
— Jocelyn Noveck — Twitter http://twitter.com/jocelynnoveckAP
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DRESSED UP
"Let me begin by just sayin', you all dress up pretty nice." — Barack Obama, at the Commander-in-Chief Ball just now.
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SPECIAL BIBLE
As the nation observed both Martin Luther King Day and Barack Obama's second inaugural, the president left his mark on an artifact with deep significance for the civil rights movement.
After Obama was sworn in at the Capitol, the president and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts inscribed the King family Bible. That's according to a White House official, who says the King family requested the inscription.
— Josh Lederman - http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
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'NOT MY PRESIDENT'
John Diamond of Arlington, Va., spent part of the day handing out fliers inviting people to a "disinauguration ball" as people exited the inauguration ceremony.
"Not my president," said the fliers, which featured the classic Obama "O'' logo as part of the word "not." They were inviting people to an event in Virginia later today.
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