The Inauguration

1985 Presidential Inauguration
aoc.gov internet image

  Today is the 59th Presidential Inauguration.  The number doesn't include the nine times a Vice-President was sworn in as President because of the death or resignation of the President.

  It's a hallmark of our democratic republic that after a winner is declared the losing candidate walks away peacefully from all the trappings of power and submits to the will of the people.

  Sadly, this year's out-going President disputed the counts, re-counts, and judicial decisions which confirmed the will of the people.  Worse, his temper tantrums and diatribes about the election being "stolen" from him incited some followers to try overturning the election by force.  He doesn't plan to attend the swearing in of his successor the sixth President to miss the event.

  At noon today, President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. will raise his hand to be sworn in using the oath required in the Constitution:

 I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
 

After taking office and the swearing in of Vice-President Kamala Harris, the new President will address the nation.  The first President, George Washington, got to the point finishing with just 135 words.  I suspect President Biden might still be thanking people on word 135.  The longest Inaugural address (one hour forty-five minutes) was by William Henry Harrison.  He didn't dress for the weather, caught pneumonia, and died a month later.  I hope he avoids that example, too.

Because of Covid-19, the Inauguration will be different than usual with far less pomp and circumstance, but because of the pandemic and its impact on the economy it seems fitting that this year will focus on the challenges our country faces.

Traditionally there was a honeymoon for the new President, over the first 100 days, but in our more partisan times the idea is considered more quaint than cooperative.  At this point, I'd like to think both sides of the aisle could agree on peaceful as a worthy and bipartisan goal.