Watch original video:

WASHINGTON

I be assured of that this fact

Yet across the metropolis on Monday, hundreds of thousands of people from America and around the world thronged the National Mall here and could talk of little else.

“Black man in the White House!” the afternoon chant went up in Lafayette Square, across the street from the president’s home. Blacks, whites, Asians

This installation of Barack Obama is no canned, bureaucratic event. It’session also no protest or debate or political meeting.. What it is is a glad. street party

I be in actual possession of never seen so many people just wandering around smiling, laughing and singing to the degree that I adage yesterday.

One was Robert Radford, 79, who lives on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill. In 1946 when he was in the Army, he was reprimanded for talking back to a German prisoner. His commanding officer said it was for Radford is black and the German was pallid.

“He told me to never forget it, and I haven’t,” Radford said. “I have never felt 100 percent American.”

This is one accomplished citizen. He’s served in two wars, worked as a chemist, got a Ph.D. in educational giving and was principal of Seattle’s Lowell Elementary. Yet he still never quite belonged. Never fully felt like one of us.

“Not ’til now,” Radford said, misting up. Then he laughed and pumped his fist.

I don’confidentially think I’ve ever been to in the way that a positive politic gathering, by the many the crowd from around the world.

People are so carried on with President Bush they don’face to face even have the appearance interested in bashing him anymore.

“It’s not about the last eight years,” said Lt. Greg Bennett, 53, a Seattle firefighter who was photographing the Capitol. “It’s about the youth, the vitality of what’s coming. That’sitting why I’m in the present state.”

I ran into David McDonald, a Seattle lawyer and uber-Democrat who serves on the Democratic National Committee. He said Obama has been so inclusive he’s damped prostrate the anger at Bush.

“Still, I decision say I’household looking forward to that last beckon from the White House lawn and the helicopter lifting off,” McDonald said.

No, Washington, D.C., is Obama Nation since. In every way. You can buy Obama Hennessy “44″ cognac here. Obama cookies, shaped like his head. A dowdy was even selling “Obama Condoms” on the Mall. $5. “Hope Is Not Enough,” the packages said.

Everyone has known this historic day was coming for 2

But the electricity to this place makes it feel like they all just got the word. They need to decide it, again and anew. Maybe to make themselves believe it.

Black man in the White House. Sworn in on a National Mall that used to be a slave market.

I also heard this phrase about a thousand ages: “Never design I’d see the day.”

Now today is that day. How often does that happen in a lifetime?

.

Original text: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2008647555_danny20m.html?syndication=rss