Washington in party mood for Obama

The cheers which greeted Barack Obama as he walked up the steps of the Lincoln memorial reflected once again the excitement and expectation surrounding the US President-elect.

Three days of celebrations have begun culminating in Tuesday’s inauguration.

And once again, as Obama stood beneath the massive statue of Abraham Lincoln, the Democrat from Illinois referred to the former Republican president:

“And behind me, watching over the union he saved, sits the man who in so many ways made this day possible. And yet, as I stand here today, what gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us, but what fills the spaces in between. It is you – Americans of every race and region and station – who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there.”

Obama’s family along with the vast crowds gathered in central Washington, were treated to a concert by international rock and pop stars, some of whom are known for their charity work as much as their music.

The buoyant bubble of optimism looks like accompanying Obama all the way to the White House when the real work begins.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Barack Obama, USA