January 21, 2005

Term 2 begins
Ambitious agenda laid out

By FINLAY LEWIS
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - Fulfilling democracy's most solemn ritual, George W. Bush dedicated the nation Thursday to a global struggle aimed at ending tyranny everywhere, as he took the oath to begin his second term as president.

Under clear noontime skies, the 43rd president rededicated his administration to the war on terror as he declared that the nation's overriding security interests in the post-9/11 era can be best served by extending what he described as the "untamed fire of freedom" to the "darkest corners of our world."

"So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world," Bush declared as he gazed out at a vast throng stretching westward from the U.S. Capitol's steps.

In a 21-minute inaugural address delivered moments after taking the oath of office at high noon, Bush pledged to pursue a reform agenda at home aimed at raising educational standards and constructing what he described as an "ownership society."

He added, "We will widen the ownership of homes and businesses, retirement savings and health insurance - preparing our people for the challenges of life in a free society."

Speaking in generalities, Bush did not make specific reference to his chief domestic policy objectives - creating private investment accounts as part of a revamping of Social Security, restructuring the federal tax laws or placing restrictions on civil lawsuits.

Nor did he make a specific allusion to Iraq, where over 1,300 American troops have died and continuing violence casts uncertainty on an election for Iraqis to choose an interim government. The balloting is meant to mark the emergence of a democratic order in the wake of the U.S.-led overthrow of longtime strongman Saddam Hussein.

But he described the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, as a "day of fire" that ended a complacent era following the "shipwreck of communism."

"We have seen our vulnerability - and we have seen its deepest source," Bush continued. "For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny, prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder, violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders, and raise a mortal threat."

He continued: "There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom."

Bush's tone was uncompromising, even militant, and his text was sprinkled with religious allusions reflective of his unabashed stance as a man of faith. There also were references to the nation's earlier struggles to achieve full freedom for all its citizens and particularly to the battles against slavery and racial discrimination.

"From the day of our founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this Earth has rights and dignity and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of heaven and Earth," Bush declared. "Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave."

For the president, the nation's 55th inauguration constituted a triumphal day that played itself out without incident under the surveillance of the most extensive security operation ever mounted for such an event. It was the first inauguration since the 9/11 attacks.

The president's public schedule began with a morning prayer service. The ceremonies included a glittering lunch with congressional leaders in the Capitol's majestic Statuary Hall and a motorcade-led parade under clouding skies along the 1.7-mile route stretching from the Capitol following Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

Bush and first lady Laura Bush emerged from their armored limousine bearing the license plate "USA 1" to walk the final block and a half to the reviewing stand in front of the White House.

The day ended with a whirl of late-night gala balls celebrating Bush's success at becoming only the 16th president to win a second term.

But the high point was the swearing-in ritual followed by the much-awaited inaugural address.

Gathered on the temporary podium mounted on the Capitol's West Front was the nation's governing elite.

The presence of some at the ceremony served to underscore Bush's mastery of the nation's political wars culminating in his re-election victory last November.

Looking on proudly as Bush raised his right hand while placing his left hand on a family Bible held by Chief Justice William Rehnquist was the president's father, George Herbert Walker Bush, the nation's 41st president. The elder Bush failed to win re-election in 1992, an oft-noted fact that might have helped to motivate the son.

Also in the VIP gathering was Bush's vanquished re-election challenger - Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Rehnquist's gaunt presence also provided a grim foreshadowing of likely fights in the near future over Supreme Court vacancies as well as other judicial appointments. The 80-year-old Rehnquist has been battling thyroid cancer. Aided by a cane, the chief justice walked unaided down some steps to the podium to deliver the oath in a firm voice. A scarf concealed a breathing tube inserted in his throat.

Later, Bush told the luncheon in the Capitol, "I want you to know how touched I was that the chief justice came to administer the oath." He described the moment as "incredibly moving."

Meeting in an afternoon session, the Republican-led Senate helped to embellish Bush's day by confirming two of his Cabinet nominees - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Education Secretary Margaret Spellings.

But key Democrats, maneuvering to underscore their concerns about the administration's Iraq policies, managed to win a delay in the vote to confirm Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state. Her eventual approval is a foregone conclusion, but White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card denounced the Democratic tactic as "petty politics."