US president-elect didn't seem nervous on the eve of his big day
US president-elect didn't seem nervous on the eve of his big day
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If Barack Obama felt nervous about becoming US president in a few hours, he didn't show yesterday, as he cracked jokes and breezed through a series of volunteerism events and bipartisan dinners. "I don't sweat," said the man about to inherit responsibility for two wars and an economy in crisis. "You ever see me sweat?"
It was vintage no-drama Obama, who seemed determined to carry his not-too-high, not-too-low demeanor to the Capitol steps for his swearing-in tonight.
Aides said Obama felt fully prepared. He had practised and polished his inaugural address, they said, and he was ready for a string of White House meetings Wednesday on the economy, Iraq and other issues.
Public service
Obama spent the day moving around Washington to celebrate public service and Martin Luther King Jr's birthday. "Make sure I do something simple," he told volunteers sprucing up Sasha Bruce House, a shelter for homeless teens in one of Washington's poorer neighbourhoods. "Don't give me plumbing or electrical work."
He took a roller and began painting a dorm wall blue as reporters, photographers, volunteers and Secret Service agents jostled for space.
"That's a good stroke there, what do you think?" Obama said, admiring the smooth blue coat. "This is good practice because I'm moving to a new house tomorrow."
He quoted King as saying, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve."
"Right?" he asked the late civil rights leader's eldest son, Martin Luther King III, who was almost overlooked while painting nearby.
"Right," King assured the president-elect.
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