Obama Supporters Ready to Get Busy

Concord resident Barbara Sims didn’t want to be one of a few million in Washington for the Inauguration.

TAPE: I would need a baby sitter...I would get lost.

But the 68 year old, who is wheelchair bound, did want to celebrate the moment with others.

TAPE: I think it’s going to feel like we are at the Inauguration itself....very exciting.

Unlike Sims, a number of folks wanted to be in Washington, but work, money or time made that impossible.

So the Capitol Center - which charged no admission- was the next best option.

Inside the theatre, the lights were low, and CNN’s coverage was up on a massive screen.

And while people in the nation’s capitol were standing outside in the cold 500 miles away, the people in the warm theatre felt a sense of connection.

TAPE: the Honorable John G. Roberts Jr. who will administer the Presidential Oath of Office, everyone please stand.

As California Senator Dianne Feinstein asked the audience in Washington to stand...the people in the Capitol Center rose to their feet.

In so many ways, this event felt like most of Obama’s campaign events during the presidential race.

Many in the crowd were deeply enthusiastic.

Many used the word ‘hope,’ again and again.

But this time, the doubts that had plagued his supporters- ‘Could he beat Clinton?’, ‘Would the country support a black man for President?’ weren’t there.

People felt a sense of accomplishment.

TAPE: To me, being a black man, this is the most important thing in my life...

Mark Maybrugh lives in Bow.

... This is history man. This is history. And I think that’s why all the people are here today, b/c this is a part of history. This is like Martin Luther King walking through the door.

Maybrugh and others agreed Obama is going to have a hard time getting Congress to go along with his campaign promise of ‘change.’

Greg Pittman from Northwood ran into a store clerk who asked sarcastically, if Pittman was ready for the country to become an extension of Africa after Obama’s Inauguration.

TAPE: so I know there is still a lot of fear from people in our country. I have a lot of hope. This person had a lot of fear.

Joanna Henderson recognizes the many struggles ahead for both Obama and the country.

But despite that, she says she feels very optimistic about the nation’s future.

TAPE: I loved what he said. He said he’s asking stuff of us. He’s saying you got to help me do this. We haven’t heard that from any of these guys in a long, long time have we? He really wants us to get involved here. Wow. What wonderful words. I am thrilled.

Henderson says she doesn’t know what Obama is going to ask of the nation, but she believes, the country is ready to stand together.

For NHPR News, I’m DG.