Watching this train trip . . . I really didn't expect this

[bigtree]

. . . to be so inspiring and exciting.

Train making it's way into D.C.'s Union Station . . .

[BeyondGeography]

1. Me neither

What is familiar to me, however, is seeing once again that Obama and his advisers have a better sense of what the public wants and needs than I ever will.

[bigtree]

3. so true

. . . and look at the press. They're using every inch of the rails as a backdrop for another story. I watched a 'slow roll' and imagined myself on the side of the rails . . . brilliant.

[saracat]

8. This is very reminicent of Roosevelt's Train. My Grandfather rode with FDR

through that trip. I was thrilled to see that train many years later.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. The crowds along the way are amazing.

[polichick]

4. It has been very inspiring and exciting!

[Barack_America]

5. Me neither. But as soon as Obama started speaking, I said "let's walk to the tracks right now"..

And so we did (I posted pics earlier). It was cold, but I'm glad that I got a chance to take part in this.

[blaze]

6. And we're glad you did!!

Nothing better than that first hand reporting!! :)

And how many people got a chance to do that??

This is all so exciting!

[Barack_America]

10. .

As I said to my fiance, "If you have the opportunity to participate in something historic like this and you don't, then I guess that makes you a bit of a douche."

I didn't want to be a douche. ;)

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Obama gets the circus part of circus. Most great leaders do.

[tridim]

9. The country is transforming LIVE, right in front of our eyes!

Can you feel it?

What a great day! :)

[BeyondGeography]

15. There was this wellspring of goodness there to be tapped

and it's clear he's the person to do it.

:patriot:

[spanone]

11. go america !!!!!

[malaise]

12. It was wonderful

So glad I recorded everything today.

[EFerrari]

13. Obama is the most gifted politician I've ever seen.

I don't agree with him about half of the time but expect to be in tears for the next four days and beyond.

It's a good day, bigtree.

[bigtree]

16. I don't know what the outcome will be

. . . of the manner in which he's making seemingly opposing sides feel optimistic about his presidency, but it's certainly compelling and tailor made for this moment.

[TankLV]

14. Pure unadulterated PHONEY GRANDSTANDING...

feh...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Go away. Stop crapping in other people's cornflakes.

Obviously an awful lot of people found it exciting. Too bad you don't.

[Hanse]

18. There's the pot calling the kettle black.

[bigtree]

19. The imagery and celebration is certainly not a true reflection of the struggles ahead

. . . but I think it's a pretty decent way to introduce and welcome the new president to the 'highest office of our land'.

[EFerrari]

20. Public events are always "phoney" in the sense that they are planned for an effect.

I don't know how well Obama will do in his one or two terms. But in the long haul, his election makes us a better people and that is something to celebrate.

[FarCenter]

21. Over 7 hours from Philly to DC -- They've got to improve Amtrak!