On Monday, January 21, millions of people worldwide will be watching President Barack Obama deliver his second-term inauguration speech in Washington, D.C. Bringing special signifance to the ceremony is that fact that it falls on the national holiday commemorating civil rights legend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose legacy helped paved the way for Barack Obama to be elected as the first African-American to the country's highest office.
Compared to the riveting speech that he delivered in 2009 to a live audience of 1.8 million people, his second-term speech is less anticipated and will have fewer spectators, as only 800,000 people are expected to attend.
The president's speech with focus on his vision for America and more than likely call on Americans to make their voices heard in the democratic process and urge Congress to work together toward progressive change.
Viewers will expect the POTUS to make mention of his agenda over the next four years to fix the economy, reform immigration, address our energy polices and curb gun violence. He will likely detail his plan of action during his State of the Union address on Feb. 12. The president is also expected to stress the need for political compromise and standing on the founding principles of America to lead us in the 21st century.
"The president, I think, is very appreciative of the fact that the American people have given him this opportunity to deliver a second inaugural address," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters earlier this week. "He believes that we have work to do, and he believes that both the agenda he has put forward so far and the agenda he will put forward in the future will help this country move forward in a variety of ways," he said.
As with most second-term inaugurations throughout history, his speech will lack the drama that was presented during his 2009 transition.
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