Joe Biden has just been sworn in as the new Vice President …

… Woot! Next up, our new President takes his oath!

Vice President-elect Joe Biden is about a half hour away from taking his oath of office and is, I’m sure, feeling fine … but he was lookin’ much chagrined yesterday when he and his wife appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show which taped live from Washington DC. During the interview with the Bidens, Jill inadvertently spilled the beans that then presidential candidate Barack Obama offered Joe Biden his choice to be either Vice President or Secretary of State last Summer. Once she let this bit of info slip out, Joe Biden gave her the look of death as he shushed her … and then everyone laughed to try and smooth things over. You can imagine the hell she caught after the show was over:

Joseph Biden’s wife Jill on Monday appeared to let slip a piece of choice political gossip, suggesting her husband was given a choice by Barack Obama to be vice president or secretary of state. Biden will be sworn into office on Tuesday as Obama’s second-in-command, and appeared to try to hush his wife as she made the comment on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. His office later put out a statement denying he had a choice of job. “Joe had a choice to be secretary of state or vice president,” Jill Biden said, prompting her husband to whisper “shhh” before her words were drowned out by cheers and applause. She went on to explain that she had worried about the impact of her husband being secretary of state on their family life. “I said, Joe, if you’re secretary of state, you’ll be away. (I’ll) see you at a state dinner once in a while. I said if you’re vice president, the entire family, because they worked so hard for the election, can be involved. They can come to our home. They can go to events. They can be with us all the time. And that’s what’s important to us.” Joseph Biden, trying to smooth over the awkward moment, then said he told Obama he would serve as vice president only if he was being selected for his judgement. “I know it’s going to sound corny. I could best serve there. The bottom line, Barack’s my friend. This is a partnership,” he said … Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander put out a statement trying to play down Jill Biden’s comments. “To be clear, president-elect Obama offered vice President-elect Biden one job only — to be his running mate and the vice president-elect was thrilled to accept the offer,” she said. “Like anyone who followed the presidential campaign this summer, Dr Jill Biden knew there was a chance that president-elect Obama might ask her husband to serve in some capacity and that, given his background, the positions of vice president and secretary of state were possibilities,” Alexander said. “Dr Biden’s point to Oprah today was that being vice president would be a better fit for their family because they would get to see him more and get to participate in serving more.”

LOL! I love Jill Biden! And I love that in the excitement of being in the presence of the great Oprah Winfrey the poor dear got flustered enough to let this bit of previously unsubstantiated information get out. No matter what the press release says about the incident, you know what Jill spilled was the way it went down ;)

In any event, Joe Biden is just about to take his oath of office … and then, soon after, it’s Barack Obama’s turn!

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President-elect Barack Obama, who is mere moments away from becoming our nation’s 44th President, will be stylin’ around town in a hot new ride once he starts up his new job. General Motors, one of the big three auto companies in Detroit, MI, manufactured a customized limousine for Obama’s express use … a limo, described as the “safest presidential car ever”, that is having its big coming out party today. Right now, the Obamas and the Bushes are riding in his new Cadillac limo as they make their way along Constitution Ave. on route to the Capital building:

President-Elect Barack Obama will get an all-new Cadillac limousine when he takes office Tuesday, and it appears, like his increased security detail, it will be the safest presidential ride to ever grace Pennsylvania Avenue. The new Commander-in-Chief will ride in the back of an extended Cadillac DTS, not unlike the car used by outgoing President George W. Bush while in office. A more conservative design than the rest of Cadillac’s Art and Science range, this DTS even goes so far to eliminate the controversial chromed engine vents on the front side fenders, giving the car a more stately appearance. While no photographs of the interior have been provided, no doubt for security reasons, the specially equipped Caddy is expected to have a all the latest electronics including enough video screens to even get Malia Ann and Sasha excited while giving Michelle a break from the “when are we gonna get there syndrome,” not to mention keep the president well informed of the world’s goings on while traveling to and from his new abode. Cadillac hasn’t released details as to the new limousines ballistic capabilities, and won’t anytime soon, also for security reasons, but it’s safe to say that it is based on one of GM’s heavy-duty truck platforms, needed to support the weight of all the armour plating needed to withstand potential gun shots, bomb blasts or rocket fire. Other information we’ve garnered from various unofficial sources report that the floor of the limo is reinforced with five-inch thick steel plate to protect from undercar explosions or a direct hit from above if the car is overturned, while the tires are Kevlar-reinforced to be shred and puncture proof, with steel rims underneath that will enable escape even if no tires are wrapped around them. An armour-plated gas tank features special foam filler that prevents explosion even if it suffers a direct hit, plus the trunk holds an oxygen supply system and firefighting equipment. The doors are armour-plated too, with eight-inch thick steel making them reportedly weigh as much as the cabin door of a 757 jet. They open up to a passenger compartment that seats four behind a glass partition that only the president can lower to speak with the front occupants. The rear windows are larger than in previous generation presidential limos, and the car’s height has grown while its overall footprint remains about the same. Up front there are defence accessories to assist the trained detail such as night vision cameras, pump-action shotguns and tear gas cannons. Bottles of the president’s blood are also kept aboard, if needed in an emergency. The front windshield is capable of withstanding armour-piercing bullets, while the CIA-trained driver’s side window is the only one that opens, but only three inches to speak with security detail outside, or perhaps to pay a road toll. On a lighter note, an embroidered presidential seal has been positioned at the centre of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals can also be found on the exterior rear door panels, while the U.S. flag flies from the right front fender and the presidential standard from the left front fender, when the president is traveling inside. LED spotlights illuminate the flags at night. “Cadillac is honored to again provide a new Presidential Limousine,” said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “This is a great American tradition that we’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and technology.” Cadillac has been the ride of presidential preference since President Wilson rode through the streets of Boston during a World War I victory parade in 1919, and of course has been escorting dignitaries, celebrities and other VIPs since the company set its claim as the Standard of the World.

Detroit Rock City has great reason to be proud today. One of our cars has the duty to keep the President of the United States safe when he travels. The car is pretty fat, too! Love it!!!

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President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama met up with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill for an early morning church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church before they met with the outgoing president and the soon-to-be former First Lady for an intimate coffee date at the White House this morning. I understand that the Bidens and the outgoing VP and his wife were in attendance as well. The couples, as is US tradition, spent some time together in the President’s home one last time before the transfer of power. Here are a few photos of the Obamas out doing their thang earlier today:

As massive crowds swarmed the National Mall on Tuesday to witness Barack Obama’s inauguration as president, the man at the center of the maelstrom began the day quietly and reverently, at a church service across the street from the White House. Obama and his family attended a private service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, a tradition for those about to become president. The family of Vice President-elect Joe Biden also attended. Barack and Michelle Obama waved to bystanders, then entered the church to applause from about 200 people. The choir and congregation began singing the hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” The Rev. Luis Leon welcomed the Obamas and said every president since James Madison has worshipped at the church at least once, “some of them kicking and screaming.” Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., of Los Angeles, drew murmurs and chuckles when he blessed the Obamas and asked that “they may finish these two terms in office” stronger than they are now. Obama, of course, would have to win re-election in 2012 to serve a second term. Another clergyman, Joel Hunter, offered a blessing to “Barack Hussein Obama.” The Obamas and Joe and Jill Biden were scheduled to have coffee at the White House with President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney and their wives. Then they would travel the short distance to the Capitol for Obama’s history-making moment. Just beyond the White House fence, huge crowds braved freezing temperatures and jostled for positions to see — with the naked eye or on Jumbotron screens — Obama take the oath of office as the 44th president and the first black to hold the title.

Here are a couple of photos from the National Mall in front of the US Capital where tens of thousands of people are gathering to witness History being made today:

It’s really all very exciting! Michelle Obama and Laura Bush just left the White House together followed by their husbands, Barack and GW. They are all being piled into the new Presidential limo to begin the slow trek along the parade route to the US Capital where the swearing in ceremony will take place in just a short time.

MSNBC is offering a live stream of their broadcast which they are sharing with all of us right here:

And so … we wait. Remember this moment, y’all. It’s one that you’ll want to remember some day when asked, Where where YOU when Barack Obama was Inaugurated?

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President-elect Barack Obama is mere hours away from being sworn in as our nation’s 44th President and while we count down the hours (nay, minutes) until he takes the oath of office, let’s take a gander at a new exhibit on display at Legoland in San Diego, CA that depicts the Obama Inauguration comprised entirely of Lego bricks:

Lego master craftsmen have been putting the finishing touches to a model White House, motorcade, and even queues to the porta-loos, as excitement surrounding the upcoming 56th inauguration of a US president reaches fever pitch. Obama will be sworn in as the 44th American president and first African-American president in Washington on Tuesday. But those who simply cannot wait can already see what the theme park describes as a “pre-enactment”. Visitors to the California attraction can see Mr Obama and his whole family constructed out of the multi-coloured Danish bricks. Crowds of mini Lego people surround the construction, with onlookers including outgoing George W. Bush and Hillary and Bill Clinton. Obama’s daughters Sasha and Malia are also depicted, standing proudly behind the president-elect as he takes the presidential oath of office on the steps of the Capitol. More than one thousand mini figures have been created out of thousands of Lego bricks. Other mini-figures depicting ceremony participants include Oprah Winfrey and Aretha Franklin. Legoland is the latest attraction trying to capitalise on the enthusiasm surrounding the event.

Amazing! It’s almost as impressive as the real thing, which will take place in just a few short hours from now. I understand the real Inauguration will reportedly come with a price tag upwards of $100+ million … I don’t think that this Legoland exhibit cost that much to create. Click HERE to see an entire gallery of photos of all the different scenes depicted in this fairly elaborate Lego display.

There is a lot of exciting political stuff going on today and I deffo plan to take a short break from blogging so that I can watch some of the history being made today. I, like most of the country, am very much looking forward to pausing for a short while today to watch as Barack Obama gets sworn in as our new president. It won’t be long now.

[Source, thanks Michele]