Background

As the year 2005 dawned and success in Iraq seemed elusive, Pres. Bush sought to set an appropriate tone for his inaugural. The committee organizing events scaled back its plans for the day; although several Democrats complained about the $40 million cost, the event cost less in actual dollars than Pres. Clinton's second inaugural in 1995 (and cost 25% less if inflation was factored in). At first, Pres. Bush wanted to focus the inaugural on his vision for an "ownership society" in the United States, including another call to shift a portion of the Social Security funds into people's private IRA accounts, a new call for revamping the worker's health insurance program, and encouraging low-income workers to purchase their own homes [NYT 1/16/2005]. With the news media focusing on the bad news coming out of Iraq, Bush changed course in the days before the inauguration.

The inaugural festivities were kicked off on 1/18 with a tribute to the US armed forces entitled "Saluting Those Who Serve." The event, held at the MCI Center, was attended by 7,000 members of the various branches of the service. They were entertained by singers and comedians. Former Pres. GHW Bush read a letter that he had sent to his parents after his plane had been shot down in World War II. Pres. GWB told the soldiers and sailors that the nation needed them to stop "terrorist enemies who wish to harm our people... Much more will be asked of you in the months and years ahead." To help set the tone for his inaugural address, Bush said "The inauguration of a president is a great moment in the life of our country... With an election behind us, the American people come together in unity to celebrate our freedom." That evening, two other events were held: one for political donors and a youth concert organized by Pres. Bush's twin daughters [NYT 1/19/2005].

Official image of the inaugural platform, taken from the website of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

Setting

Inauguration Day was cold in 2005. The temperature at noon was 35°F, with a northwest wind. The ground was covered by an inch of snow that had fallen on 1/18.

The inauguration took place on the west front of the US Capitol building. The platform in front of the dome was used for the dignitaries. From the crowd's perspective, Congressional leaders sat on the left, with the Senators towards the front. Among the Senators in attendance were Kerry (on the far left), Lugar, Dole, Specter, Lieberman, and Santorum. The area left of the center aisle was used by Congressional leaders such as Sens. Frist and Lott and Reps. Hastert and DeLay. Behind them were the Cabinet, including SOSes Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice, a few rows in front of other White House staff including Karl Rove and Karen Hughes [Gale Norton, Secy of the Interior, was chosen as the Cabinet member to skip the event in case of attack or disaster]. Members of the Bush family, including former Pres. GHW Bush, sat on the left side of the aisle. On the right side of the aisle, the two former Democratic Presidents and their wives (Clintons and Carters) sat near former VP Quayle; a few rows behind them was Newt Gingrich. On the far right were VP Dick Cheney, Sen. Dodd, and the entire Supreme Court; behind them were other members of Congress, including Rep. Ney.

Security was expanded from earlier inaugurals. Over 100 blocks of streets were closed to traffic, and federal offices were closed in an attempt to reduce the number of cars in the city.

Inauguration of Vice President Cheney

The dignitaries arrived and were seated in the usual order with the exception of Chief Justice Rehnquist. He had not appeared in public since the Supreme Court ended its term, and he was suffering from advanced thyroid cancer. Rehnquist had undergone a tracheotomy on 10/22/2004 to assist his breathing, which gave him a more husky voice than before [1/21/2005].

Official image of Cheney's inauguration, taken from the website of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

US House Speaker Dennis Hastert administered the oath to VP Cheney. Second Lady Lynne Cheney watched; daughter Mary Cheney held the Bible, and daughter Elizabeth stood next to Hastert. A woman standing behind Sen. Lott visibly grimaced in the background.

Official image of Bush's inauguration, taken from the website of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

Inauguration of President Bush

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist administered the oath to Pres. Bush at 11:56 a.m. Eastern. First Lady Laura Bush held the Bush family Bible, opened to Isaiah 40:31; their daughters stood in between them. [Other family members, including Gov. Jeb Bush, had been pushed back by security]. At the end of the oath, Rehnquist added the optional "So help you God?" and after President Bush affirmed the phrase, Rehnquist told him "Congratulations." The ailing Rehnquist then left the inaugural festivities, not staying for the inaugural address [NYT 1/21].

Official image of Pres. Bush's second inaugural address, taken from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Pres. Bush's inaugural speech, entirely re-written since snippets of the original text were leaked to the press, pointed to the expansion of liberty as "the calling of our time." Michael Gerson, one of the President's speechwriters, wrote the inaugural, which went through 21 drafts before arriving at the forward-looking and optimistic text pointing out the hope of freedom for all nations. The "force of human freedom" was identified as the "only force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment ... and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant." Since eliminating tyrannical governments elsewhere would remove the culture of terrorism in those nations, Bush said that "we are led ... to one conclusion: the survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world." He did not mention Iraq or Afghanistan specifically, or even the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Bush sketched out his domestic policy goals, which he termed "the unfinished work of American freedom." Speaking in generalized terms, he called for "reforming great institutions to serve the needs of our time." He said "we will bring the highest standards to our schools and build an ownership society. 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."

The text of Pres. Bush's inaugural is posted here.

After a meal hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the Bush family returned to the White House. As the limousine neared the White House, George and Laura Bush got out and walked the last few blocks, waving to those lining the street. They took seats on the White House lawn to review the official parade.

Inaugural balls occupied the evening. There were nine official balls held throughout the city, with admittance by purchasing tickets costing $795. A tenth ball was held for 2,000 servicemen and their families [CBC News Online, 1/20/2005].

Historic Trivia

• For the first time, the inaugural festivities were broadcast by webcams.
• Bush's second inauguration was the first time a Republican had been inaugurated President with Republican majorities in both houses of Congress since 1953.
• Bush was the fourth Republican President to serve two full terms.
• Chief Justice Rehnquist administered his fifth and final oath of office to a President. He thus tied with his predecessor Warren Burger; only three Chief Justices administered more presidential oaths (Marshall, Taney, and Fuller). These five chief justices administered 32 of the 65 presidential oaths.

Popular Vote of 2004

Electoral Vote of 2004

63d Presidential Inaugural (2001)

65th Presidential Inaugural (2009)