Inauguration: ‘A great sense of joy’ for Casey
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. said Tuesday he felt “a great sense of joy” as he watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama — the first person of African descent to hold the nation’s highest office.
“It really was history,” said the Pennsylvania Democrat.
From his seat behind the podium at which the new president later spoke, Casey could see the more than 2 million people who crowded the west side of the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall to witness Obama’s defining moment.
Bearing Witness: Tuesday will be one of those indelible days. One of those days when an oath can carry the weight of we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
Obama and King: Thoughts shift to historic black figures as Obama is inaugurated as the nation’s first black president.
The Senator’s View: From his seat behind the podium, Sen. Bob Casey Jr. could see the more than 2 million people who crowded National Mall to witness Obama’s defining moment.
Young and Lucky: As their bus idled in the congested stadium parking lot, Casey Rose and Eric Nole rewound to the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Roadblocks to History: For some, the trek to D.C. ended in disappointment as security equipment broke down, crowds overflowed and ticket holders were turned away.
“Obama!” they chanted, and, borrowing from a slogan Obama used throughout his campaign, “Yes, we can!”
“I was just amazed at how upbeat and positive people were — even in the midst of a tough economy,” said Casey, a Scranton native.
“It’s because they have a strong belief in his ability to lead, his ability to put a good team on the field to help him and his ability to continue to inspire people to bring about the positive change that we need,” Casey said.
Casey spoke with reporters at his office in the Russell Senate Office Building — hours after the inaugural ceremony and minutes after learning Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., had collapsed and suffered a seizure in the Capitol during a luncheon honoring Obama. Casey had not been at the luncheon, he said.
“I just pray to the Lord that he’s OK; that he can get through this day,” Casey said.
Kennedy, who supported Obama and spoke on his behalf at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last August, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last May.
Casey saw Kennedy on Tuesday morning, as members of the Senate were lining up and taking their places on the inaugural dais. They spoke by telephone last week after Casey was named to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions — a panel chaired by Kennedy.
“He looked strong and sounded strong,” Casey said.
Casey, who was elected in 2006, and Obama, who entered the Senate from Illinois in January 2005, forged a friendship last spring after Casey broke with Pennsylvania Democrats and endorsed Obama over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in the state’s April primary.
They played pick-up basketball games together twice last March and again on Election Day in November — a tradition Casey said he would continue, if asked.
“If I am called, I will serve,” Casey joked.
Casey appeared with Obama at a rally in Scranton last April and ate banana crème pie during a stop at the Avenue Diner in Wyoming last September. Casey spoke on Obama’s behalf at the opening of his general election campaign office in Wilkes-Barre and filmed television commercials outlining how Obama’s message of hope and optimism would affect Pennsylvanians.
“I was honored I had the chance to campaign with him and to get to know him as a person — he’s a husband, a father, he was a colleague in the Senate at the time — I enjoyed getting to know him in that way,” Casey said. “I also enjoyed the battle and getting to the end of the road, so to speak, in the election.”
With the battle over, and Obama the president, Casey will rejoice — but not for long.
“Today is a day for celebration,” Casey said. “Tomorrow we’ve got to get to work.”
