Bush Becomes US president, Seeks unity

George W. Bush took the oath of office on Saturday as the 43rd president of the United States and pledged to work for ``a single nation of justice and opportunity'' after one of most contentious elections in history.

As a light drizzle fell on the west front of the Capitol, Bush swore the same 35-word oath of office every other president has taken -- including his father, former President George Bush, 12 years ago.

In his first address to the nation as its new leader, Bush did not specifically mention his bitter battle with Democrat Al Gore that ended after the U.S. Supreme Court 's 5-4 decision in his favor. But he clearly had healing national wounds in mind.

Bush noted in his 15-minute inaugural speech that some doubted America's promise -- ``even the justice'' -- so much that sometimes ``it seems we share a continent, but not a country.''

"We do not accept this and will not allow it,'' Bush said. ''Our unity, our union, is the serious work of leaders and citizens in every generation. And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.''

Bush got a warm hug from his father after his swearing-in to become only the second son of a president to follow his parent to the White House -- and the first since John Quincy Adams in 1825.

Bush thanked Gore, who was sitting nearby on the inaugural platform, for ``a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace'' and then pledged to the nation his commitment to ''civility, courage, compassion and character.''

"Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment,'' said the former Republican governor of Texas. ``It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. And this commitment, if we keep it, is a way to share accomplishment.''

With his swearing-in, Republicans control the White House and both houses of Congress for the first time in 48 years. The control of the Senate, however, is tenuous. Democrats and Republicans are split 50-50, but Vice President Dick Cheney has the power to break tie votes.

Even with government control and all the good cheer of the day, Bush will have his work cut out for him with many in the country still upset about his narrow victory in the fall. A Reuters/Zogby poll showed him with a 42 percent approval rating as compared to 58 percent for outgoing President Clinton.

Some of those angry about the election outcome mingled in the crowd of celebrants to protest Bush's inauguration, holding up signs like "Hail to the thief'' to support their belief the election was stopped before all the votes were counted.

Later, as Bush's car slowly wound down the 16 blocks from Congress to the White House, signs of protest like "Re-elect Gore'' were interspersed among the thousands of well-wishers.

When the motorcade came to a protest area near the White House it stopped briefly and then speeded up to go by as the demonstrators booed. At one point a protester was wrestled to the ground by police right beside the motorcade.

Security was the tightest of any inauguration because groups protesting a wide range of issues were trying to muster the largest such demonstration since the Vietnam War debate raged at the second swearing-in of Richard Nixon in 1973.

There were no official estimates of the size of the crowd but protest organizers claimed at least 20,000 people showed up to demonstrate. Police said there were nine arrests.

Weather forecasts had called for possible sleet by the noon swearing-in ceremony but the morning rain let up in time for Cheney to take the vice presidential oath of office.

Bush stepped up next and put his hand on a Bible used at the first inauguration of George Washington in 1789 and repeated the constitutionally required oath of office. As every president since Washington has done, he added the words, ``So help me, God.''

The oath was administered by Chief Justice William Rehnquist (news - web sites), one of the five Supreme Court justices who voted in Bush's favor to end the ballot-counting in Florida and thereby assure the victory over Gore.

In his inaugural address, Bush repeated some of the top issues of his campaign -- improving education, reforming Social Security and Medicare, reducing taxes and preparing a nuclear defense shield.

But most of it was spent urging civic respect and duty.

"What you do is as important as anything government does,'' he told millions of Americans listening in. ``I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor.''

"I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility; to pursue the public interest with courage; to speak for greater justice and compassion; to call for responsibility, and try to live it as well,'' Bush said.

Bush began his public day by attending services at St. John's Church, also know as ``The President's Church'' because of the long line of leaders who have crossed Lafayette Park from the White House to pray there.

Bush and his wife Laura next went to the White House for a cup of coffee with the Clintons and the Gores. A Bush spokesman said the incoming president spent much of the time talking with Hillary Rodham Clinton, now a senator from New York, and described the conversation as a "very nice mix and mingle.''

Bush continued the theme of working together at a lunch with congressional leaders. Referring to those who say he and Congress will be stymied because of the bitter election, Bush said, ``I'm here to tell the country that things will get done.''

The first proposal he plans to send to Congress next week will be his education reform package, an area where Democrats and Republicans might be able to work together.

As one of his first official acts on Saturday, Bush issued an order that essentially blocked some of the last-minute executive orders and rules laid down by Clinton in his final days in office.

And he started to get his Cabinet in place. The Senate gave swift approval on Saturday afternoon to seven of his Cabinet nominees including Colin Powell at the State Department, Donald Rumsfeld at Defense and Paul O'Neill at Treasury.

When Bush finally got back to the White House he and first lady Laura Bush walked the last block and then sat in the rain to review the inaugural parade. At night, when snow was forecast, they planned to attend eight inaugural balls.

As Bush settled into his new home, former President Clinton, its occupant for the past eight years, thanked a gathering of his former staff and supporters for ``the ride of my life'' and left for Chappaqua, New York, and a life as private citizen. However, as the husband of Senator Clinton, he will return to Washington from time to time. (Agencies)






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