yes, we did

We've accomplished something today. It's a very, very monumental time for our nation, and because we are leaders on the globe, for the world. As an American, I'm excited and proud and encouraged. I'm not old enough, and I'm not Catholic, but if I had been around in 1961 I hope that I would've felt the same sense of progress then that I feel today

My delight has nothing to do with politics. Barack Obama is not our first Democrat president. He's not the first president from Illinois, or the first to inspire a generation. He's not the first to be called a liberal or the first to leave the US Senate to take up White House-keeping. He's not the youngest, or first to bring with him a young family. Other long shots have won. He's a politician, so he's certainly not the first to kiss babies, make promises and choke on a word or two.

This is a historic moment though. Our 44th president is giving all of us a place to look back on, a marker of sorts. Not so significant, he's the first president to admit he's addicted to his BlackBerry, the first to have his official portrait made with a digital camera and the first to use YouTube as a major campaign tool.

But there is a very significant second that has taken place today that is made even more emotional because of its connected firsts. About two years ago when a tall, intelligent young man stood on the steps of the state capitol in the land of Lincoln and announced his intentions to be president of the United States, many disregarded him and gave him no chance. There were too many reasons why he'd never be elected, and the most obvious couldn't be fixed.

Although planned, the history we've witnessed today is ironic and fascinating. Abraham Lincoln, the man who risked and gave his life so that others who didn't look like him, but more like the man who would nearly a century and a half later assume his old Washington, DC address, left his bible behind. 147 years, 10 months and 16 days ago it was used to swear in the nation's first Republican president. Today we get to see it for the first time, in the dark hands of a black presidential family that sees the truth of its freeing and liberating power.

You did very well, Mr. Lincoln. I'm sure if you were here you'd be thrilled to say it, "Yes, we did!"