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CNN Live Event/Special
Barack Obama, Joe Biden Took Oaths Separately; Inauguration Day Also Martin Luther King's Day;
Aired January 20, 2013 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: I am a happy man now. And we can start the top of the show. Let's go.
Hello, everyone it is 5:00 p.m. on the East Coast, 2:00 p.m. on the West Coast, I am Don Lemon. I am live in Washington, D.C., with very special coverage of President Barack Obama's inauguration. Thank you so much for joining us on this historic weekend.
Worship was a key part of the day for the first family today. President and Mrs. Obama attended services with their daughters at the metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal church. They celebrated slain civil rights leader, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. at one of the most historic churches in Washington.
And tomorrow is of course, the main event. Some 800,000 people expected to pack the west front of the capitol to watch President Obama publicly take his oath of office. The president has already started his second term. He took the oath earlier today in an intimate swearing-in ceremony in the blue room of the White House. I want you to take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN ROBERTS, SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear.
That I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully.
ROBERTS: That I will execute --
BARACK OBAMA: That I will faithfully execute.
ROBERTS: The office of president of the United States.
BARACK OBAMA: The office of president of the United States.
ROBERTS: And will to the best of my ability.
BARACK OBAMA: And will to the best of my ability.
ROBERTS: Preserve, protect and defend -- BARACK OBAMA: Preserve, protect and defend -
ROBERTS: The Constitution of the United States.
BARACK OBAMA: The Constitution of the United States.
ROBERTS: So help you God?
BARACK OBAMA: So, help me, God.
ROBERTS: Congratulations, Mr. President.
BARACK OBAMA: Thank you, Mr. Chief justice. Thank you so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was a lot smoother than last time. Only a few family members were present to witness that brief ceremony administered by chief justice John Roberts.
Vice president Joe Biden was also sworn in for a second term in office today. The ceremony took place this morning at the Naval Observatory, which is the vice president's official residence. The oath was administered by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor using the Biden family Bible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SONIA SOTOMAYOR, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: That I take this obligation freely.
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That I take this obligation freely.
SOTOMAYOR: Without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
BIDEN: Without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
SOTOMAYOR: And that I will well and faithfully discharge.
BIDEN: And that I will well and faithfully discharge.
SOTOMAYOR: The duties of the office on which I am about to enter.
BIDEN: The duties of the office of which I'm about to enter.
SOTOMAYOR: So help me God.
BIDEN: So help me God
SOTOMAYOR: Congratulations.
BIDEN: Thank you, your honor.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The Vice President will also take the oath again tomorrow in a public ceremony.
And shortly before Vice President Biden was sworn into office, he and President Obama honored our nation's fallen soldiers at Arlington national cemetery. They laid a large wreath, adorn with red, white, and blue ribbons, at the tomb of the unknown of.
But, let's get to what is happening in right now in Washington with final inaugural preparations are under way.
Senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash is here with me.
And Dana, you talked with the chair of the inaugural committee, Senator Charles Schumer. What is he saying today?
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, it is very interesting. I was obviously -- that's building that I'm very familiar with, I cover that building. I walk -- hi, everybody.
LEMON: Hello.
BASH: I walk the halls of that building in, you know, every single day. And to see the transformation as it happened was remarkable. People may not realize that it's the chair and ranking member of what's called the Senate rules committee that are really in charge of making this happen. And I talked to the chair, who is Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Here's a little bit of what he told me about how the preparation has gone on.
LEMON: All right.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: You know, it started close to a year ago, we didn't know hot president would be. But together, it is always done in a bipartisan way. Lamar Alexander and I and the chair of the rules committee. He is in charge and he is the vice chair and we do things as much as together as we can. You have to build a platform, 1600 people. There are among the most coveted seats in America, anytime, anywhere. The number of calls you get sit on the platform.
BASH: I can't imagine.
SCHUMER: Just huge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: And you just saw the building of that platform. I will give you some fun facts. It took 3 1/2 months to build, 10,000 square feet that's how big it is, 22,000 pieces of plywood. And some other inaugural fun facts, 30,000 chairs are on the west front grounds are.
LEMON: Wow. BASH: Twenty three miles of cabling for what we do up there which is broadcast. Now this is where we different a little bit this our facts and figures, but I will tell you. This is from the architect of the capitol. This is what they supplied, 505 port a potties, 100 cubic yards of mulch.
(LAUGHTER)
BASH: It is just some fun facts of what goes in taking all the (INAUDIBLE).
LEMON: I was reading about it and they put down some special plastic so that the grass wouldn't be ruin. Because last time, 2009, pretty much of most of the grass was ruin.
BASH: It was.
LEMON: It's like the works - remember the old world's fair like all these structures that were temporary, they said, took three months for them to build.
BASH: You know, I remember the world's fair.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: You know. And all of those beautiful structures and they were temporary. It took them years in times it built. And after, it all came down.
BASH: It is true. But this is really the west front, what they built there is that they have been doing it since Ronald Reagan was the first to move it from the east frowned front to the west front, they have it -- sort of have it down to the science now. But, I tell you, it actually that is where I walked in. It is beautiful. Isn't it fabulous?
LEMON: Yes.
BASH: That is where I usually walk into the office and I haven't been able to do that for the past 3 1/2 months. It would be nice to get it back.
LEMON: Now you're just bragging.
BASH: No. Come visit us any time.
LEMON: It's always good to see you, Dana.
BASH: Thanks, Don.
LEMON: Let's hang before I leave. If we have a minute.
Thank you, Dana Bash.
You know, much like Super Bowl weekend, there's something for everyone when it comes to the festivities during the inauguration weekend. At the top of the next hour, actress Eva Longoria hosts a salute to the president called Latino inaugural 2013 in performance to the Kennedy Center.
Following that the red, white and blue ball and let freedom ring concert and there was even a hip-hop ball. Rapper two chains, R&B stars Brandy and John legend and some of the many artists who are making their appearances there. Then at 8:00 p.m., the president and vice president will attend a candlelight reception at the national building museum. So make sure you stay tuned for that. CNN is going to cover that for you.
Now, let's talk more about the red, white and blue ball it kicks off at the Warner Theater in Washington next hour. The party is in honor of our nation's soldiers and lots of military families are expected to be there.
Our Brooke Baldwin is there, too.
Brooke, Washington is in party mode this weekend. What's the mood like there at the Warner center?
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Don. Good to talk to you.
Yes, the mood, not quite festive yet. We are still a little early. Doesn't kick off for another couple hours. But, we are standing in front of the Warner Theater. As you point out, I got my red on, the Heroes red, white and blue ball.
Inside, this whole thing is put on by this group called citizens helping heroes or CHH. These guys got together in 2003, military veterans, one is Republican, on is democrat and in perfect D.C. fashion, you know, in a bipartisan way. They said they wanted to come together and help our men and women in uniform. So tonight, let's talk about the party.
We will have Republicans. We will have Democrats. I'm talking house speaker John Boehner. We will have Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. We will have Congressman Kevin McCarthy. We will have Senator Carl Levin.
On both sides of the aisle, they will be here honoring folks who will be coming who have been handpicked with the help of the DOD and folks at the Pentagon, wounded warriors. Actually I was just talking to one of the organizers tonight, Don. She told me one of the widows from SEAL team six will be here tonight. So we will try to talk to her.
And a couple of awards will be handed out. Just quickly, we learned a number of the Tuskegee airmen will be near attendance and perhaps, perhaps, the big headliner, is Lynyrd Skynyrd, you know, good old southern rock guys. They will be here presenting and introducing some of these Tuskegee airmen.
So, look out for that. We will be here. We will bring you the party live from the Warner Theater, the red, white and blue ball.
Don Lemon, you jealous? LEMON: All right. Oh, yes, of course I am. But you should be jealous because I'm going to the hip-hop ball as well. So, you have got your party shoes on, you are appropriately dressed. So, I got my dance shoes on, I'm going to be ready, we will be at dueling balls.
BALDWIN: Awesome.
LEMON: Brooke Baldwin. Thank you, Brooke. I will see you later.
And you know, I have been doing my share of partying in Washington, too. Brooke has as well. And these are pictures, take a look at our CNN team at the "Washington Post" ball last night. I call them Don's angels.
And a special delivery, the Bible, once used by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, flown from Atlanta to D.C., hand delivered for tomorrow's ceremony. Just how significant are the Bibles used during inauguration ceremonies? And a story that weighs in.
Plus, predicting that the president's second-term policies will fail. You won't believe the number of folks who say that. We are talking the left and the right. Next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Well, most Americans are fairly optimistic about the president's second term, at least the people behind us are and the crowd. But they do recognize that the country is more deeply divided than it was in the past over major issues.
Now, get this. Nearly, a quarter of the public, including you the majority of you Republican, hope that Obama's policies will fail.
Let's bring in CNN political contributors, Donna Brazile and Alex Castellanos.
Now Donna, Alex, this isn't the only negative poll, all right? I'm going to show another poll. And this poll shows 65 percent of Republican and 43 percent of Democrats think, it is likely that Obama's policies will fail.
Donna and Alex, people hoping and thinking that the president's policies will fail what kind of a start is that to the second term?
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Well, look, at this point, people -- we just came through a very contentious election. And there is still Americans who perhaps are unhappy the selection of majority by the Americans. But, I do believe that most Americans would like to see their president succeed. Succeed and rebuild us an economy, get the American people back to work. Tap on nation's deficit, keeping us at peace.
Those are the thing that I believe we can all agree upon. But as you well know, on many other issues, the country is simply divided. We are divided long political lines, cultural lines, ethnic lines, racial lines, you name the lines, we are divided upon them. But, I think more Americans would like to see this president succeed on those big issue, getting this country back on its feet economically and the think the rest will follow.
LEMON: Well, those poll shows it will not be an easy road for the Republicans?
ALEX CASTELLANOS, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Not at all. Republicans don't want President Obama with the policies they have seen to succeed. They think the policies will hurt country. Republicans don't want to do that. That's why Republicans just voted against Barack Obama because they want a president to succeed? Would they like to see Obama headed in a different direction than he has been and make the country successful? Yes.
They don't want the country to fail. They don't want their president to fail. But these policies that they just voted against, I think Republicans still don't think they are good for the country. This is an opportunity for President Obama to reach across the divide, the campaign is over. Is it? That is one of the big tests we are going to see, does he still talk about rich versus poor? Does he still divide the country? Does he talk about well, social justice is still the big issue, not growth for everyone. Is it one America against the other?
LEMON: Yes. Let's talk more about that, because if we asked people what kind of president will President Obama be in his second term? And this is what -- 20 percent said Obama will be outstanding, 34 percent said he will be above average, 12 percent said below average and 29 percent said poor. So what can the president do to boost those approval?
BRAZILE: I mean, that is still 54 percent of the American people. I mean, he won with 53 percent of the vote. Many Republicans wanted him to be a one-term president but now that he has a second term, I think it's time to put aside just the pettiness that we see in politics today and really focus on those big issues.
The president is reaching out. He has reached out. He will continue to reach out. But the Republicans also will have to meet him halfway. There is a reason why we have the big stretch of the mall, that is, the capitol and the White House. They should come together. You know what, no time to do it than right now the beginning of the second term with the president.
LEMON: Alex?
CASTELLANOS: He's tough hand, Don. Because the three things that produce really failures of second terms were wars, bad economies and corruption. And in Washington, corruption is always a dangerous thing, because if you are arrogant, if you have been around too long, sometimes., you know, you drink that Potomac water that can happen to anyone.
The world seems to be unraveling in front of us, the economy still in tough shape. President Obama has got a tough hand of cards to play here. BRAZILE: You know, Congress is as popular as a root canal with only seven percent of the American people have approved of this Congress. I think this president is going to get off to a great start tomorrow.
Congratulations, Barack Obama, the people are very excited to be here in Washington, D.C.
CASTELLANOS: Congratulations. On that we agree.
LEMON: The picture of diversity up here right now. Let's talk about diversity. The president has got an a lot of criticism for his senior cabinet picks, right? Appears to be all white men here, senior adviser, Valerie Jarrett, an African-American woman, said this to CNN earlier today. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VALERIE JARRETT, SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA: His cabinet, when he is finished, and he is far from finished, will have diversity, including women, including people of color. He believes makes his best decisions when he is surrounded by people who have different perspectives and give him their best ideas.
And so, one picture does not speak 1,000 words in this instance. I spent a lot of time in the oval office and I am in there with a great number of women who he listens to and whose counsel and advice he trusts greatly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAZILE: You know, that picture is gone. I have to admit. I know most of the people inside the White House, not all of them, but that picture really did a disservice to this administration and this president, who I believe is committed to diversity. I'm vice chair of the party, last time I checked, I had to check a few boxes on the list. Our chair of the party is a woman there are women in his cabinet.
LEMON: But, we are talking about senior cabinet members.
BRAZILE: There's no question that Hillary Clinton --
LEMON: Hang on. When you look at that picture what are you supposed to believe, that picture or your own lying eyes?
BRAZILE: No, no. Look. He is not finished filling up his cabinet. At the end of the day, I want to see the whole picture. I don't want to see parts of it, the parts that we are focusing on, because he hasn't finished all of his cabinet selections.
LEMON: OK.
CASTELLANOS: I think very hard to criticize this president on diverts because he is diversity. He is the first black president of the United States and what -- I know -- LEMON: Hear people say that, but the first African-American president of the United States doesn't understand diversity and doesn't -- then who is going to get it? I think he gets off easy which is this. I think that people let him off the hook with this. I honestly do.
CASTELLANOS: The country -- I think one of the things got him re- elected is this country is a good country full of good people who understand that we have made progress in racial relationships in this country. And they didn't want to pull that thread out of the American sweater. I think he gets a lot of credit for that and he should. Now, the old boys club in Washington is still alive and kicking and --
LEMON: Yes.
BRAZILE: But, they are running out of gas and we, girls, are stepping up and we are ready.
LEMON: You said he is not finished. There is a second term?
BRAZILE: Absolutely.
LEMON: Let's see. Let's see. That cabinet, that picture looks a lot like America, like a lot of fortune 500 companies and a lot of big companies in America and we all need look at that, not just the administration, but ourselves as well.
BRAZILE: And let me just tell you this, we are still pushing for more diversity, more inclusion, but this president is a champion of diversity and I'm proud --
CASTELLANOS: You can sit at that cabinet table.
LEMON: Yes. Thank you. Maybe you too Alex. Appreciate it.
BRAZILE: Looking at you without that mustache.
LEMON: Thank you very much, guys.
OK. Forget all the politics for a second. This weekend is also about celebrations.
Up next, a front row seat to one of the hottest parties around, the kids' inaugural ball.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You know, it has been one heck of an inauguration weekend, especially when it comes to music. We have heard some great music here live and you have seen it on television. The Obama camp have invited the best of the best of the artists to entertain thousands on this historic weekend in Washington.
Why don't you have a look at Usher, conquering the stage as the second kids' inaugural ball honoring the military and their families.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING) LEMON: So, R&B group, Mindless behavior, also hit the stage, as did Katy Perry, you saw her a little bit ago and the kids inaugural choir, who rocked the stage.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)
LEMON: And you know, and in the spirit of music, we are going to get a preview of what Beyonce is going to do at the Super Bowl when she sings at the inaugural tomorrow. She is going to sing the national anthem at the inaugural tomorrow. You guys looking forward to Beyonce tomorrow at the inaugural? What's your name?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My name is Barbara Pickens.
LEMON: Where are you from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Grandville, South Carolina.
LEMON: How long have you been here?
LEMON: I have been here since yesterday.
LEMON: Since yesterday? All right. So listen, all at once, shout out where you guys are from.
(SHOUTING)
LEMON: Did you get that, audience? They are from all over. OK. I will come down here. Where are you from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is Phyllis Kerns, I'm from Greenville, South Carolina.
LEMON: A lot of people from South Carolina.
Where are you from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Brooklyn, New York.
LEMON: Brooklyn? I graduated Brooklyn College.
Where are you from, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right here.
LEMON: L.A.?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Belize.
LEMON: Belize? Where are you from, young lady?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm from Oregon.
LEMON: You are from Oregon. How long have you been here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have been here since August, I am here for an internship.
LEMON: Has anybody -- did anybody come for 2009? You were here in 2009?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I sure was.
LEMON: All the way from Brooklyn.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From Brooklyn, New York.
LEMON: That is not very far. Let's go down here, getting a little close. And what about you, young lady. Where are you from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm from China.
LEMON: You are from China. Did you come here just for this or are you living here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is my fourth year here, international student.
LEMON: Yes? Are you excited about the inauguration.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Really excited.
LEMON: A little chilly out here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It doesn't matter.
LEMON: Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
LEMON: Good to see you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
It is so good to see all of you. Hello, cutie pie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi.
LEMON: How old are you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nine.
LEMON: 9-years-old. You are as cute as a button what grade? What grade are you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fourth.
LEMON: Fourth grade. What is your name?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maeze.
LEMON: Maeze. It's nice to meet you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nice to meet you, too.
LEMON: Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
We have a lot more coming up here on CNN, so much, I don't remember, but we will be right back after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Hello, everyone it is about 5:30 p.m. on the east coast, 2:30 p.m. out west. I'm Don Lemon in Washington and we are bringing you all the festivities of the president's inauguration live to you right here on CNN.
You know, this morning, President Barack Obama was sworn in as the country's president in a private ceremony, a day before the public ceremony. It fulfills a Constitutional obligation the president must be sworn in on January 20th.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear.
BARACK OBAMA: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear.
ROBERTS: That I will faithfully execute.
BARACK OBAMA: That I will faithfully execute.
ROBERTS: The office of president of the United States.
BARACK OBAMA: The office of president of the United States.
ROBERTS: And will, to the best of moo ability.
BARACK OBAMA: And will, to the best of my ability.
ROBERTS: Preserve, protect and defend.
BARACK OBAMA: Preserve, protect and defend.
ROBERTS: The Constitution of the United States.
BARACK OBAMA: The Constitution of the United States.
ROBERTS: So help you God?
BARACK OBAMA: So help me God.
ROBERTS: Congratulations Mr. President.
BARACK OBAMA: Thank you, Mr. Chief justice. Thank you so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: President Obama will be the 17th to joint exclusive club of presidents who gave more than one inauguration speech, joining the ranks of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.
And Vice President Joe Biden was also sworn for his second term in office. The ceremony took place this morning at the Naval Observatory which is the vice president official resident. The oath was administered by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor using the Biden family Bible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOTOMAYOR: That I take this obligation freely.
BIDEN: That I take this obligation freely.
SOTOMAYOR: Without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
BIDEN: Without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
SOTOMAYOR: And that I will well and faithfully discharge.
BIDEN: And I will well and faithfully discharge.
SOTOMAYOR: The duties of the office on which I am about to enter.
BIDEN: The duties of the office of which I'm about to enter.
SOTOMAYOR: So help me God.
BIDEN: So help me God.
SOTOMAYOR: Congratulations.
BIDEN: Thank you, your honor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The vice president will also take the oath again in a public ceremony.
Also in Washington today, slain civil rights leader, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was honored during a wreath-laying ceremony, it happened at the king memorial here on the national mall. Tomorrow's presidential inauguration coincides with the day the nation celebrates Dr. King's birthday. And when President Obama takes the oath of office, he will use a Bible that will belong to Dr. King.
His daughter, Bernice King, talked to our Suzanne Malveaux about that Bible.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BERNICE KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING: Mrs. Obama will have the Bible and then, you know, pull it out for her husband to put his hand on.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bernice King took the Bible from the enclosed case at the King center to bring it to the president. She showed us its worn pages and her father's handwritten notes from 1954.
KING: I'm sure that this traveled with him as he left Montgomery, because I saw a Monday date, he would leave on Monday and fly back to Boston. So he was studying and meditating.
MALVEAUX: Bernice King says the president's second term perhaps is even more important than the first.
KING: There's a lot of pain.
MALVEAUX: Absolutely.
KING: We went through a lot of tragedy last year, a lot of political divisiveness. And it's just time for that healing and reconciliation and daddy's, you know, work represented that.
MALVEAUX: King says she believes President Obama in trying to reunite the country is striking the right tone.
KING: He could have, after the election, said how you like me now? You know what I'm saying? It is hard. I mean, some people can be sore losers. That is just the reality. The president sets the tone in the nation, if nobody else does. He is compassionate and Dr. King was compassionate. And he is committed to the next generation.
MALVEAUX: So, what does King's youngest think President Obama should do next?
KING: Right before he was assassinated, he was in Memphis, Tennessee, to bring attention to the work of the sanitation workers, those that were not receiving adequate wages and they were not being treated fairly. And he was in the midst of planning this poor people's campaign. And I'd like to see more emphasis placed on poverty in our nation.
MALVEAUX: King specifically singles out the African-American and Latino communities.
KING: I know there's always been a concern about the African-American community not feeling perhaps that the issues related to our community have been addressed effectively. And I think there's some room for improvement in that regard.
MALVEAUX: I asked her whether gay rights is the next civil rights battle.
KING: I don't like to speak for him on issues that back then he didn't have an opportunity to speak on because then I'm injecting, you know, what he would do. I certainly think that my father, first and foremost, he saw everybody as important, regardless of how you define yourself, and whatever category you fit in, your personhood and he felt that everybody deserves dignity and respect.
MALVEAUX: King is encouraging folks to use her father's holiday and the inauguration as an occasion to serve.
KING: Although we have come a long way, we still have to finish the work of Dr. King.
MALVEAUX: Suzanne Malveaux, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Let's look now at this historical significance of the Bible in presidential inauguration. And for that we turn now to Ed Ayers. He is back. He is the president of the University of Richmond and an historian.
Thanks for joining me again here on CNN. You know, presidents have always taken the oath with a Bible, and if not, who didn't?
ED AYERS, HISTORIAN: It did start with George Washington. You might think it would continue. Four presidents ha s have not. One was John Quincy Adams, even though avenues devout Christian, read the Bible every day, didn't want to take the oath on a book of laws, to signal the distinction between church and state.
LEMON: Four have not, four. John Quincy Adams on a book of laws?
AYERS: That's right. Franklin Pierce also on a book of law. Partly we think because he lost his last child only a couple of months before the inauguration. His wife was in bereavement and he affirmed the oath rather than swore to it which the Constitution.
The next was Theodore Roosevelt. So, there is a long time and that's because he took office after the death of the president and he was in a hotel in buffalo and apparently, they didn't have Gideon's' Bibles around. He was the next one.
And so, you look at those, three the last is LBJ, who, of course, after another assassination, they had a catholic missile that he took the oath on. So, constant scattered throughout American history.
LEMON: Have president invoked religion in their addresses, always?
AYERS: Every president has invoked god or a deity in general, but not very specifically. None has actually mentioned Jesus Christ, four have invoked Christianity. So, it s also be uneven.
LEMON: Has religion become more or less important over time in inaugural addresses?
AYERS: Yes. Looking into the subject, I'm surprise so surprised to see the turning point came with FDR. He was the first to have a prayer in the inauguration. He was the first to have an invocation and a benediction. He was the first to go to church on inauguration day. And so, those things that have become tradition now were only as old as the 1930s and '40s.
LEMON: The significance of using, of President Obama using you Dr. King's Bible, I mean, that cannot be downplayed.
AYERS: Well, you know, we know that Obama has seen himself as a part of that tradition with Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. You think of Dr. King's phrase about, the moral arc of the universe is long but it dips toward justice. And I think President Obama is trying to be part of that arc.
LEMON: That's -- thank you very much. Good stuff, Ed Ayers. As I said to you yesterday, I could sit here around talk to you all day. Thank you. Appreciate it.
AYERS: My pleasure.
LEMON: President Barack Obama made history as you the first African- American president but this young student tells me, President Obama won't be the only black president. How can this student be so sure? Hear his investigation, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: People from all walks of life, from all corners of the country are going to be watching President Barack Obama take the oath of office for the second time tomorrow. Student president of Clark Atlanta University, Tyler Joshua Green, will be one of them. He and 50 other students are riding a bus to Washington right now. And I asked him what this day means to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYLER JOSHUA GREEN, CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY: The fact that he has come in and opened up a door for others to be able do what he did and even greater and I think that that marks a great president and also a great leader.
LEMON: As you have watched the president over the last four years, you've watched -- you know, you've watched him lead, you have watched him get some things through, health care, you've watched some of the opposition. What are your thoughts over the last four years?
GREEN: I think that he talked about it in his book, "the audacity of hope" there's a stake that draws people together and far more impactful and there's a stake that drives people apart. And I think throughout his presidency these last four years, that he has absolutely been what I believe is that stake that has drawn so many cultures, races, genders together and that, again, is the mark of a phenomenal leader.
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LEMON: That was student president of Clark Atlanta University, Tyler Joshua Green.
Presidents Obama and Lincoln. Were both men destined for greatness? My next guest, Deepak Chopra, says the time you were born could determine your faith and destiny.
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LEMON: Welcome back everyone. There are all austerity outside the crowd on the national mall in Washington. You know, the movie "Lincoln" is based in part on the book "team of rivals" by Doris Kerns Goodwin. It is a story of how Abraham Lincoln worked with some of the most powerful rivals to abolish slavery and the end of the civil war. While the issues are different, the tensions between Congress and the president are the same. And I asked author and inspirational speaker Deepak Chopra whether the president is destined for something in his own way.
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DEEPAK CHOPRA, AUTHOR: President Obama represents fairness to all through his four years. He has wanted fairness whether it is in economics, health reform, or looking at the environment as out extension of our selves. President Obama represents hope, trust, stability and compassion. He's the right person for this time. It's no accident that the inaugural ceremony is tomorrow on Martin Luther King Day. I just wonder if when Martin Luther King Jr. said "I have a dream," did he have this vision?
LEMON: Interesting. Brother, do you think at the time, you said Lincoln was the right man for the time. Do you think, because in your article, and I don't have it in front of me, and I think I'm paraphrasing it, you said that Lincoln was reviled and he was loved at the same time. And I think many people would feel the same way about President Obama now.
CHOPRA: Yes.
LEMON: Do you think people knew that about Lincoln and do you think it's the same about President Obama now?
CHOPRA: You know, whenever there's a move toward something that's new, that's not part of the old paradigm, there are reactionary forces. And those reactionary forces can revile the leader who wants to take us into the new longing the people are expressing. So, yes, we have a partisan country now where we have these forces, a progressive forces on the one side and extreme, ultra, ideological, reactionary forces.
But to President Obama's credit, he does not get drawn into the melodrama. If there's one thing I can say about him is that he stays sober.
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LEMON: That was Deepak Chopra, author around inspirational speaker.
Life in the White House, how do first parents balance it all, from work to family to Facebook? Up next, the president reveals the one thing he worries about the most when it comes to his daughters.
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LEMON: Being the first family is tough. They're always in the public eye. But the Obamas make sure that despite all the attention, their daughters stay grounded. And the family spend as much time together as they can.
White House correspondent Brianna Keilar has all the details for you.
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BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The last girls' night out of the first term. Mrs. Obama and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, attended the children's concert, an event put together at the request of the First Lady for kids with parents in the military.
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: When I think about who we are, when I think about what makes America great, I think about all of you, our men and women in uniform, our military spouses, and our amazing military kids.
KEILAR: Working with military families, fighting childhood obesity, and mentoring at-risk kids in Washington, D.C., were the signature causes of Mrs. Obama's first term in the White House.
CNN has learned she has been working on a second-term agenda since December. And she may pick up a new cause. Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to the president, is a longtime friend to the first couple.
JARRETT: She's going to take on issues that she cares passionate about. She wants to make sure that her heart is in it and that she can give it the energy it deserves.
KEILAR: But the First Lady's top priority is her family.
MICHELLE OBAMA: At the end of the day, my most important title is still mom in chief. My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the center of my world.
KEILAR: Living in the most famous house in the world, the Obamas have tried to stay grounded.
MICHELLE OBAMA: I always tell my friends that I still recognize them. They haven't become some other crazy kids.
KEILAR: They have some help from the First Lady's mother, Marian Robinson, who lives on the third floor of the White House, and they keep a daily routine. Mrs. Obama is up early, sometimes 4:30 a.m., letting Bo out and hitting the gym before her daughters wake up. The president starts working out before she wraps up. The girls head off to class at Washington's prestigious Sitwell friends private school and the president walks to the oval office around 8:30. Almost every night the family gathers for dinner together at 6:30 p.m.
JARRETT: They're not the least bit interested in his day. They're interested in their day, and that's such a relief to have those quality moments.
KEILAR: It's family time until the girls and Mrs. Obama go to bed around 9:30. The president, a night owl, stays up working and reading, Kicking Bo outside one last time often before he turns in, normally, after midnight.
MICHELLE OBAMA: As many of you know, my husband, your president, he is handsome.
KEILAR: The first couple carves out time for each other.
MICHELLE OBAMA: Got to keep the romance alive, even in the White House.
KEILAR: That means dates and dinners out with friends like they did Thursday for the First Lady's birthday, visiting one of Washington's top restaurants, Cafe Milano. They're notorious for being affectionate, puckering up for the Jumbotron at a basketball game this summer. And this photo of them hugging put out by the Obama campaign on election night is the most re-tweeted photo in history.
MICHELLE OBAMA: I rarely step foot in the west wing. In fact, people are shocked when they see me there.
KEILAR: While Mrs. Obama mostly steers clear of policy debates, she was a huge asset to the president on the campaign trail last year, from the stump to late-night television.
MICHELLE OBAMA: It's late! Come on! Let's go! Get your shoes on! Move it! Up, up, up! It's time to vote! You can do it!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.
MICHELLE OBAMA: You can do it!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm voting.
MICHELLE OBAMA: Out the door! And eat some carrots!
KEILAR: But Michelle Obama says she's a part-time First Lady and a full-time parent. Normally dedicating only two to three days per week to official events. Katie McCormack Lelyveld is a former top aide to the First Lady.
KATIE MCCORMACK LELYVELD, MICHELLE OBAMA'S FORMER PRESS SECRETARY: There might be some days that we would just do day trips, traveling around their school schedule so that she could get him out the door in the morning and be back in time for dinner.
KEILAR: As parents, the Obamas are very involved. This is President Obama taking a moment out of his work day to bring Sasha upstairs to the residence. In the Obama White House, there is structure and chores. Sasha and Maria are limited to two hours of TV per week, no social media.
BARACK OBAMA: I worry about Facebook right now only because, look, I know the folks at Facebook, obviously they've revolutionized, you know, social networks, but, you know, Malia because she's well known, I'm very keen on her protecting her privacy. She can make her own decisions obviously later as she gets older. But right now even just for security reasons, you know, she doesn't have a Facebook page. Dates, that's fine because she's -- she's got secret service protection, so.
KEILAR: And Malia also does her own laundry.
MICHELLE OBAMA: I don't want her to be 15, 16 and be that kid that says, I've never done laundry before. I don't even want to -- I would cringe if she became that kid.
BARACK OBAMA: Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes, you're growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful young women.
KEILAR: The Obamas have relished sharing their adventures with their kids, traveling to France and Russia where they toured the Kremlin and ate dinner above red square. To Brazil, El Salvador and Chile and South Africa where they met Nelson Mandela. Extraordinary experiences but sometimes being an Obama daughter is no different than being any other kid. Your dad can still embarrass you. As the president did by dancing at this White House event and by busting moves from this catchy dance.
Far from the cameras, of course, something he says he does just to get his daughters going.
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LEMON: And eat some carrots. You know, there's something for everyone this inauguration weekend.
At the top of the hour, actress Eva Longoria hosts a salute to the president called "Latino inaugural 2013," in performance at the Kennedy center. And following that, the red, white and blue ball and let freedom ring concert.
There's even a hip-hop ball. Rapper two change, Brandy and John legend are some of the many artists making appearances. Then at 8:00 p.m., the president and vice president will attend a candlelight reception at the national building Museum.
That's it for me. Thank you so much for watching. Waiting in the wings right now. Erin Burnett and some guy named John king waiting to take over? She's going to class up the joint. He's going to stink up the joint. They're next.
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