Inauguration 2013 - Massachusetts - onPolitix

Band: Beyonce lip synced US anthem at inaugural

2013-01-22T19:53:24Z

WASHINGTON (AP) — Beyonce lip-synced the national anthem during her rousing performance at President Barack Obama's inauguration, according to the U.S. Marine Band.

A band spokeswoman told news outlets Tuesday that the band was notified at the last minute before the performance that Beyonce would use a pre-recorded voice track. Band members played their instruments live with no intonation problems in the chilly conditions ahead of the national anthem, the spokeswoman said.

"The entire performance was live except for the national anthem," Master Sgt. Kristin duBois told The New York Times and other outlets. "We don't know why. But that is what we were instructed to do so that is what we did. It's not because Beyonce can't sing. We all know Beyonce can sing. We all know the Marine Band can play."

All inaugural music is pre-recorded in case weather conditions or other circumstances could interrupt the program.

A representative for Beyonce did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kelly Clarkson's representative said she sang live to perform "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."

Inaugural organizers also did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why the musical plans were changed at the last minute.

The use of a recording is typical in big events. In 2009, cellist Yo-Yo Ma was questioned about "hand-syncing" for Obama's first inauguration. Ma said instruments weren't functioning properly in 19-degree weather.

Even in good conditions, producing good sound can be a challenge in a large open space.

Some artists choose to lip-sync. Whitney Houston's memorable performance of the national anthem in 1991 at the Super Bowl was sung to a track.

Obama embarks on first working day of 2nd term

2013-01-22T16:11:27Z

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four years ago, President Barack Obama and his staff spent the first day in the White House learning the basics. Not just the basics of governing, but also figuring out how to get cleared into their offices by the Secret Service, log on to their government computers and find keys to unlock office drawers.

They solved those problems long ago. Also in the rearview mirror are the economic recession, the Iraq war and the hunt for terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

But plenty of fresh challenges lie ahead as the president and his team begin the first working day of the second term Tuesday.

Obama will quickly confront three fiscal deadlines that demand cooperation with the Congress, including raising the debt ceiling, which the House scheduled for a vote Wednesday. The deaths of three Americans in a siege on a natural gas plant in Algeria have renewed fears about the rise of terrorism in North Africa. And Obama must soon finalize the next phase of the drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Before getting down to business, Obama had a few more inaugural obligations to complete Tuesday, including a prayer service at the National Cathedral. It was the third straight day of religious worship for Obama surrounding his second inauguration, including Sunday and Monday at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church and St. John's Episcopal Church, respectively.

The president also planned to celebrate Tuesday night with campaign and White House staff at a glitzy inaugural ball featuring singer Lady Gaga.

Otherwise, Tuesday is expected to be a normal working day at the White House. The president will meet with his top aides, and press secretary Jay Carney will brief the press.

Behind the scenes, the president and his advisers are working on the ambitious progressive agenda Obama outlined in his inaugural address, one that will require cooperation from a divided Congress in an era of looming budget cuts.

"We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit," Obama said, speaking to the hundreds of thousands of people fanned out across the National Mall. "But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future."

Obama also plans to soon unveil proposals for a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration laws, which is expected to be a central topic in Obama's Feb. 12 State of the Union address. The president also will be seeking congressional support for the far-reaching package of gun-control proposals he unveiled last week, including an assault weapons ban and universal background checks for gun purchasers.

Obama also paid special attention to climate change during his inaugural address, an issue he spent little time on during his first term.

"Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms," he said.

Still, it was unclear how much effort Obama would put into climate change legislation this year — or how much political capital he would have left to spend on the issue after tackling his other priorities.

The looming question over Obama's entire second term is whether he can find a way to quell his confrontations with a divided Congress. Seeking to start off on a better foot, the president invited a bipartisan group of lawmakers to the White House ahead of his inaugural address Monday, including the Republican leaders with whom he has frequently been at odds: House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia.

Speaking to the throngs gathered on the National Mall, Obama implored Washington to find common ground when it can.

"We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics or treat name-calling as reasoned debate," Obama said.

And seeking to build on the wave of public support that catapulted him to two terms in the White House, the president pressed for the public to get help him "set this country's course." Tellingly, Obama sent an email shortly after his speech asking supporters to send their contact information to Organizing for Action. That's the outside group formed by several top Obama campaign officials with the goal of supporting his legislative agenda.

Debates with Congress appeared to be far from Obama's mind Monday. A relaxed president soaked in a full day's worth of activities, starting with a morning church service and ending with two swanky balls.

Following his relatively brief, 18-minute inaugural address, Obama gazed over the crowd fanned out across the National Mall and said, "I'm not going to see this again."

He and first lady Michelle Obama climbed out of their armored limousine twice during the inaugural parade to walk a few blocks and wave to the jubilant crowd along Pennsylvania Avenue. And he danced and bobbed his head to the marching bands passing by his parade viewing box in front of the White House.

Even after his wife and family left the viewing box, Obama stayed to applaud each marching band and float that passed before him.

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Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

Inauguration excitement

2013-01-22T14:58:18Z

(WWLP) — Attending a Presidential Inauguration is a moment in history.

Candy Glazer of Longmeadow was one of the hundreds of thousands of people, who were part of that moment on Monday when President Barack Obama was sworn-in for his second term, in ceremonies at the Capitol.

Glazer, who is Chair of the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee and a long-time Democratic Party activist, said it was fun sharing in the excitement of the Inauguration festivities.

This was the fourth Inauguration that Glazer has attended. But this one held special meaning for her since, she served as an Elector in December, when the state’s Electoral College ballots for the President were cast at the State House.

Sasha yawns during dad's big speech

2013-01-22T14:22:50Z

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNN) — Maybe it was a lack of sleep or just plain boredom that sparked it, but Sasha Obama's big yawn during her dad's inauguration has gone viral online.

The president was talking education when the 11-year-old let out the serious yawn.

Still, she managed to keep clapping for her dad.

If you want to go to an Inauguration...

2013-01-22T14:16:11Z

WASHINGTON (WWLP) — A Presidential Inauguration ceremony only happens every four years, and it's an experience to behold. The people of our country celebrate the handover of power to the President in such a public way, and hundreds of thousands, and sometimes even millions, join in on the National Mall to be witness to history.

Photos: Inauguration Day

Though it is a truly exciting exercise of our democracy, going to an Inauguration is not really for everyone.

If you plan on making the trip down to D.C. for the next inauguration in January of 2017, there are a few things you should know:

1. You will wait in line a very long time

Just because you have a ticket to the Inauguration, doesn't mean you can just walk right in. Security is extremely tight, and you may have to wait an hour or more just to get through it, and arrive at the location where you will be standing.

2. Be prepared to stand

Speaking of standing, an Inauguration is not the kind of event you want to be going to if you cannot be on your feet for extended periods of time. Because the crowds are so large, don't even bother trying to bring a chair- you will either have no place to sit, or no place to see over the heads of the people in front of you. Unless you're a VIP with tickets to the stands built on the Capitol steps, you will be standing for a number of hours. Even so, you will have to stand for quite a while to get a place in the Inaugural Parade.

3. Once the parade starts, you don't have to wait long for the President

You may have to wait quite a while for the Inaugural Parade to actually begin (it's a couple hours after the Inauguration ceremony due to set-up and a luncheon the President enjoys with other political dignitaries). But once the parade actually starts, the President is not that far from the beginning of the marchers. It's not like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade where you wait for Santa Claus at the very end; many people leave the parade after seeing the President and Vice President go by early in the march.

4. The crowds are partisan

The crowds at a presidential inauguration are largely made up of people who supported that candidate's path to the White House. As such, they are very excited to see people who support their side, and not excited to see political adversaries. For example, during President Obama's second inauguration, the crowd let out big cheers for Democrats like House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Just as loud, though, were the jeers for House Speaker John Boehner and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich when they were introduced. Depending on who wins the next election cycle, your political preferences may dictate whether or not you may want to go.

5. There is NO re-entry

Like some bars shortly before closing time, once you're out- you're out. If you leave the viewing area to warm up in a public building or go to the bathroom, you cannot get back in. Make sure you dress for the cold, and go to the bathroom before you wait in line for security to minimize visits to the port-a-potties on the Mall.

6. The City definitely knows how to handle this event

Washington knows politics, and hosting Inaugurations every four years has given them the know-how to manage the crowds, close the appropriate areas of the city, and allow people to move freely. The Metro subway system runs until 4:00 A.M. on the days surrounding the Inauguration, and believe it or not, there is room to ride. Just be sure to buy your pass the day before; otherwise you're waiting in long lines at ticket machines, surrounded by people who don't know how to use them.

Beyonce, Hudson do star turns at inauguration

2013-01-22T12:18:58Z

WASHINGTON (AP) — Beyonce drew a loud cheer at the inauguration Monday even before her impressive rendition of the national anthem. But in the role she played four years ago singing for the president and first lady at the inaugural ball was her "Dreamgirls" co-star Jennifer Hudson.

If President Barack Obama's first inaugural theme seemed to be summed up by Beyonce's "At Last," this time it was Hudson's version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

Hudson was among the entertainment at Monday night's inaugural balls, joined by Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys, who modified her hit "Girl on Fire" to sing "He's the president and he's on fire ... Obama's on fire. Obama's on fire."

The crowd at the official Inaugural Ball joined in with the Grammy-nominated fun. anthem "We Are Young."

And Wonder got small knots of dancers going with crowd-pleasers such as "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours."

Earlier in the day, the applause for Beyonce started when she took her place with Jay-Z at the Capitol to watch President Barack Obama take the oath for his second term in office. The two stopped to chat with the Rev. Al Sharpton.

James Taylor kicked off the musical performances, strumming his guitar and singing "America the Beautiful." Kelly Clarkson followed with a different arrangement of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Then Beyonce was introduced and the crowd again roared its approval.

Beyonce had a definite fan in Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who applauded eagerly after she finished singing the national anthem. She offered R&B-esque vocal riffs as she sang on and the crowd seemed to love it, cheering loudly as she finished. Clarkson, too, hit high notes.

Beyonce may have been the star musical attraction, but she had plenty of company from Hollywood at the Capitol on Monday. Katy Perry and John Mayer sat side-by-side, with Perry in an orange-striped coat and wide hat, and Mayer in dark sunglasses. Singer-songwriter Ke$ha was there, too.

People flocked to the colorful pop star, snapping photos. And Perry did the same, taking shots of "Girls" actress and daughter of news anchor Brian Williams, Allison Williams.

Actress Eva Longoria was seated on the platform outside the Capitol after making an appearance at a Kennedy Center performance Sunday night. Perry sang at the children's concert the night before.

Former Boston Celtics great Bill Russell was in the crowd, too, along with actor Marlon Wayans.

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AP writers Donna Cassata, Darlene Superville, Josh Lederman and Jocelyn Noveck contributed to this report.

President completes long day of second inaugural events

2013-01-22T12:09:24Z

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has ended a long day of formal inaugural events with lighter festivities.

Obama and the first lady danced three times at balls at the Washington Convention Center.

Photos: The Inaugural Balls

The first dance happened at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, where Obama recognized military brass and thousands of invited enlistees. He also used a video link to thank troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The Obamas then attended the Inaugural Ball. It was so large that it was on two levels, requiring them to dance twice. All three dances featured live performances by Jennifer Hudson, who sang Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

The president started the day with a church visit. Later he took a ceremonial oath of office as a vast crowd stretched the length of the National Mall. The first lady held the Bibles of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama challenged the throng and those hearing and watching broadcasts to broaden equality and prosperity. His 18-minute address referenced many challenges including global warming, voting rights, gay rights and gun safety.

After a congressional luncheon, the president and first lady strolled about three blocks in the Inaugural Parade. They were among thousands who walked from the Capitol and then passed a reviewing stand at the White House.

Obama joins inaugural parade as he begins 2nd term

2013-01-21T20:31:42Z

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama exited his limousine for the traditional presidential walk in the inaugural parade from Capitol Hill to the White House.

Photos: 2013 Presidential Inauguration

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama waved to cheering, flag-waving crowds lining Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate the start of Obama's second term

Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their families were among more than 8,800 people, floats and marching bands participating in the late-starting parade that passed before viewing stands and bleachers after Obama's public swearing-in ceremony.

Thousands of people had waited in security lines that stretched a block to gain access to parade-viewing spots accessible to the general public without a special ticket.

Spectators wore Obama t-shirts, ski caps, hoodies and buttons, and one woman wrapped herself in an Obama beach towel for extra warmth.

Video: 2013 inauguration performances

2013-01-21T20:11:59Z

WASHINGTON (CNN) - James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce were among the musical talent that performed at the 2013 ceremonial inauguration.

Click the video player to watch some of the musical performances.

Quotes on Inauguration Day

2013-01-21T20:04:15Z

"Our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it." —President Barack Obama, during his second inaugural address.

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"It's going to take some give-and-take. I hope they're not too proud to do so." —Army Maj. Phillip Santoni of Fort Carson, Colo., just returned from Afghanistan, said about Obama and Congress as he waited to enter the parade route through a gate at 17th and H streets NW, near the White House.

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"The president's second term represents a fresh start when it comes to dealing with the great challenges of our day; particularly, the transcendent challenge of unsustainable federal spending and debt...Together, there is much we can achieve." —Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

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"There were more people last time, but everybody has the same feeling." —Michael Kimbro of Atlanta, Ga., who traveled to Obama's first inauguration in 2009.

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"It's great to see the young ladies they are becoming and how well they handle themselves. They seem to be great role models for our youngsters." —Meteza Owens, 40, of Charlotte, said about Malia and Sasha Obama while waiting with her husband, Andre, and two young sons, 10 and 7.

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"I come down just to soak up what I consider to be very positive national pride. It feeds me. It energizes me." — Paul Sutterlin, a 6th-grade social studies teacher from Middlefield, Ct., attending his third inauguration.

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"He made the same promises as last time. It's worse than four years ago... My grandkids will be in debt and their kids will be in debt." — Frank Pinto, 62, of Wethersfield, Conn., watching the inauguration at a bar in Hartford, Conn.

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"We ask that you grant our president the will to act courageously, but cautiously when confronted with danger, and to act prudently, but deliberately when challenged by adversity. Please continue to bless his efforts to lead by example in consideration and favor of the diversity of our people." — Myrlie Evers-Williams, activist and widow of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

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"This is the dream that Dr. King talked about in his speech. We see history in the making. ... This is something he spoke about, that all races come together as one." —Joyce Oliver, visiting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn.

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I think the country's less enthused this time around; we've been there done that in terms of electing the first African-American president. ... I think everybody's tuned in, in terms of other things. They want to make sure the government gets done what we elected them for." —Beniam Fantu, 34, of Dallas.

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"There is no mob, no coup, no insurrection. This is a moment when millions stop and watch." — Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., co-chair of the inaugural committee