KANSAS CITY, MO -
Across the metro, people gathered at watch parties to witness history as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. At Park University in Parkville, students, faculty and friends gathered for a special discussion of the inauguration.
"It means a lot," said student Sam Pennington. "It shows how the world is changing. Everbody's not looking down on everybody, knowing that we actually are all created equal."
As Obama spoke, some of those gathered wiped away tears as they watched history happening.
"I'm very proud right now and touched and inspired to go forward," said Mary Ellen Schultis.
Dr. James Pasley, a political science professor at Park, analyzed Obama's speech. According to Pasley, the speech had echos from three Presidents in particular.
" Franklin D Roosevelt in terms of the transformational efforts that Obama is going to take to fix the economy," said Dr. Pasley. " John F Kennedy in terms of his call for a more participatory democracy. And interestingly enough, Ronald Reagan as well, in terms of his optimism for the future of America. A lot of people are really down on America now. He believes with the right choices, things can improve."
Obama's speech was 2,401 words long, and took about 20 minutes to deliver to the approximately 2 million people in attendance in Washington and the millions more watching on television. According to Obama staff, he worked on the speech for four months.
Dr. Pasley said that Tuesday's speech was more similar to a State of the Union adress, in terms of a laundry list of things Obama pledged to get done. Pasley says that one topic he says may concern Obama supporters was that there was no promise of a quick withdrawal from Iraq.
"I think some might be looking for the new President to make clear that we will be taking steps immediately to withdraw," said Dr. Pasley. "And I just don't think that's going to happen."
But for many people, the historic nature of the event overshadowed many of the major issues. At the Power and Light District, dozens of people gathered to watch the inauguration. Bobbi Kraus and her daughter Lilly took pictures and gave the inaugural address a thumbs-up.
"We decided to bundle up and come down and share this time with other Kansas Citians," said Kraus. Her daughter said that her best friend rode the inauguration train with the Obamas.
"She's there like with him right now, and she rode on a train with him and everything," said Lilly. "And so it's exciting for her and it's exciting for me too."
At the Gem Theater in the 18th and Vine district, several hundred people gathered to watch the inauguration, chanting Obama's campaign slogan of "Yes We Can!"
"I won't forget this day because he's the first black President," said Casey Morris. "A huge moment of hope and change and trying and we're ready for it."
"It means a lot," said student Sam Pennington. "It shows how the world is changing. Everbody's not looking down on everybody, knowing that we actually are all created equal."
As Obama spoke, some of those gathered wiped away tears as they watched history happening.
"I'm very proud right now and touched and inspired to go forward," said Mary Ellen Schultis.
Dr. James Pasley, a political science professor at Park, analyzed Obama's speech. According to Pasley, the speech had echos from three Presidents in particular.
" Franklin D Roosevelt in terms of the transformational efforts that Obama is going to take to fix the economy," said Dr. Pasley. " John F Kennedy in terms of his call for a more participatory democracy. And interestingly enough, Ronald Reagan as well, in terms of his optimism for the future of America. A lot of people are really down on America now. He believes with the right choices, things can improve."
Obama's speech was 2,401 words long, and took about 20 minutes to deliver to the approximately 2 million people in attendance in Washington and the millions more watching on television. According to Obama staff, he worked on the speech for four months.
Dr. Pasley said that Tuesday's speech was more similar to a State of the Union adress, in terms of a laundry list of things Obama pledged to get done. Pasley says that one topic he says may concern Obama supporters was that there was no promise of a quick withdrawal from Iraq.
"I think some might be looking for the new President to make clear that we will be taking steps immediately to withdraw," said Dr. Pasley. "And I just don't think that's going to happen."
But for many people, the historic nature of the event overshadowed many of the major issues. At the Power and Light District, dozens of people gathered to watch the inauguration. Bobbi Kraus and her daughter Lilly took pictures and gave the inaugural address a thumbs-up.
"We decided to bundle up and come down and share this time with other Kansas Citians," said Kraus. Her daughter said that her best friend rode the inauguration train with the Obamas.
"She's there like with him right now, and she rode on a train with him and everything," said Lilly. "And so it's exciting for her and it's exciting for me too."
At the Gem Theater in the 18th and Vine district, several hundred people gathered to watch the inauguration, chanting Obama's campaign slogan of "Yes We Can!"
"I won't forget this day because he's the first black President," said Casey Morris. "A huge moment of hope and change and trying and we're ready for it."
