Obama’s ringing defense of liberalism

Updated 6:50 PM EST, Mon January 21, 2013
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama head out for their first dance together at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, honoring U.S. service members and their families, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday, January 21.
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama head out for their first dance together at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, honoring U.S. service members and their families, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday, January 21.
PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS/AFP/Getty Images
The president and first lady share a moment during the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on January 21.
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The president and first lady share a moment during the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on January 21.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, each dance with service members at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on January 21.
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Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, each dance with service members at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on January 21.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Police take the lead in the inaugural parade January 21 as the first couple walk down a part of Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Police take the lead in the inaugural parade January 21 as the first couple walk down a part of Pennsylvania Avenue.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
The president and first lady greet crowds as they move along Pennsylvania Avenue on January 21.
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The president and first lady greet crowds as they move along Pennsylvania Avenue on January 21.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators watch as the president and first lady travel along Pennsylvania Avenue on January 21.
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Spectators watch as the president and first lady travel along Pennsylvania Avenue on January 21.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
President Obama exits his limousine to walk during a portion of the presidential inaugural parade on Monday.
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President Obama exits his limousine to walk during a portion of the presidential inaugural parade on Monday.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
People stand on barricades near the White House while trying to catch a glimpse of the president's parade on January 21.
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People stand on barricades near the White House while trying to catch a glimpse of the president's parade on January 21.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Sasha, left, and Malia Obama take a photo of themselves during the inaugural parade.
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Sasha, left, and Malia Obama take a photo of themselves during the inaugural parade.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images
Men in traditional colonial garb perform as President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk along Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday.
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Men in traditional colonial garb perform as President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk along Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd as they make their way along the parade route on Monday.
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd as they make their way along the parade route on Monday.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The president walks a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue on the parade route during the 57th presidential inauguration on January 21.
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The president walks a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue on the parade route during the 57th presidential inauguration on January 21.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the inaugural parade walk along Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday.
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Members of the inaugural parade walk along Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday.
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People watch as President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are driven past crowds during the Inauguration parade on Monday, in Washington. President Obama was sworn in for a second term office at the U.S. Capitol building.
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People watch as President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are driven past crowds during the Inauguration parade on Monday, in Washington. President Obama was sworn in for a second term office at the U.S. Capitol building.
John Moore/Getty Images
President Obama waves as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital on Monday.
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President Obama waves as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital on Monday.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The Obamas walk to the reviewing stand for the inaugural parade January 21.
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The Obamas walk to the reviewing stand for the inaugural parade January 21.
ROD LAMKEY JR./AFP/Getty Images
President Obama shares a moment with House Speaker John Boehner, second from right, as first lady Michelle Obama applauds at the inaugural luncheon in Statuary Hall on Inauguration Day at the U.S. Capitol building on Monday.
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President Obama shares a moment with House Speaker John Boehner, second from right, as first lady Michelle Obama applauds at the inaugural luncheon in Statuary Hall on Inauguration Day at the U.S. Capitol building on Monday.
Allison Shelley/Getty Images
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael J. Linnington, center, joins the Obamas and Bidens to watch a review of the troops on the East Side of the Capitol on January 21.
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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael J. Linnington, center, joins the Obamas and Bidens to watch a review of the troops on the East Side of the Capitol on January 21.
CJ Gunther/Pool/Getty Images
Obama signs nominations for Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state, White House Chief of Staff Jacob Lew as treasury secretary, former Sen. Chuck Hagel as defense secretary and John Brennan as CIA director after swearing-in ceremonies at the Capitol on January 21.
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Obama signs nominations for Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state, White House Chief of Staff Jacob Lew as treasury secretary, former Sen. Chuck Hagel as defense secretary and John Brennan as CIA director after swearing-in ceremonies at the Capitol on January 21.
Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Getty Images
Senate and House leaders and Vice President Joe Biden applaud the president after he signs a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration on January 21.
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Senate and House leaders and Vice President Joe Biden applaud the president after he signs a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration on January 21.
Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Getty Images
Former President Jimmy Carter, left, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, center, and former President Bill Clinton arrive at the Inauguration for President Obama's second term of office on Monday.
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Former President Jimmy Carter, left, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, center, and former President Bill Clinton arrive at the Inauguration for President Obama's second term of office on Monday.
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Left to right, Donica Perez, Janelle Stewart, Shani Perez, Kinda Romero and Danielle Houston watch the Inauguration on the Jumbotron near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall.
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Left to right, Donica Perez, Janelle Stewart, Shani Perez, Kinda Romero and Danielle Houston watch the Inauguration on the Jumbotron near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
President Barack Obama delivers his inaugural address January 21. A flag-waving crowd was noticeably smaller than those who turned out four years ago, but it still packed the National Mall for blocks.
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President Barack Obama delivers his inaugural address January 21. A flag-waving crowd was noticeably smaller than those who turned out four years ago, but it still packed the National Mall for blocks.
Mark Gail/MCT/Getty Images
Obama takes the oath of office January 21. The nation's first African-American president used a pair of Bibles -- one from Abraham Lincoln, the other from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Obama takes the oath of office January 21. The nation's first African-American president used a pair of Bibles -- one from Abraham Lincoln, the other from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Igor Naumovski is among the flag-waving celebrants on the National Mall during the inauguration ceremony on Monday, in Washington.
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Igor Naumovski is among the flag-waving celebrants on the National Mall during the inauguration ceremony on Monday, in Washington.
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First lady Michelle Obama makes her way to watch her husband take the oath of office for a second term in a public ceremony Monday.
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First lady Michelle Obama makes her way to watch her husband take the oath of office for a second term in a public ceremony Monday.
Molly Riley/Pool/Getty Images
People cheer at a television camera on the National Mall before the inauguration ceremony Monday in Washington.
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People cheer at a television camera on the National Mall before the inauguration ceremony Monday in Washington.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
President Barack Obama addresses the audience after taking the oath of office on January 21.
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President Barack Obama addresses the audience after taking the oath of office on January 21.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Tourists watch Monday's inauguration from Times Square.
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Tourists watch Monday's inauguration from Times Square.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of people attend the 57th presidential inauguration on January 21 in Washington.
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Thousands of people attend the 57th presidential inauguration on January 21 in Washington.
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Michelle Obama arrives with daughters Sasha, left, and Malia for the inauguration on January 21.
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Michelle Obama arrives with daughters Sasha, left, and Malia for the inauguration on January 21.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Obama speaks after taking the oath of office on January 21.
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Obama speaks after taking the oath of office on January 21.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir performs at the inauguration ceremony on January 21.
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The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir performs at the inauguration ceremony on January 21.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
People gather for the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 21.
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People gather for the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 21.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
Michelle Obama holds the Bible as her husband takes the oath of office on January 21.
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Michelle Obama holds the Bible as her husband takes the oath of office on January 21.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Obama waves during the public ceremonial inauguration on January 21.
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Obama waves during the public ceremonial inauguration on January 21.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
Attendees wave flags at the public ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Obama on January 21.
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Attendees wave flags at the public ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Obama on January 21.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
People watch from the National Mall as Obama is sworn in on January 21.
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People watch from the National Mall as Obama is sworn in on January 21.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Obama takes the oath of office on January 21.
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Obama takes the oath of office on January 21.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
Kelly Clarkson performs "My Country 'Tis of Thee" during the presidential inauguration ceremony on January 21.
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Kelly Clarkson performs "My Country 'Tis of Thee" during the presidential inauguration ceremony on January 21.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Obama, center, pauses before walking out the door of the U.S. Capitol to begin swearing-in ceremonies on January 21.
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Obama, center, pauses before walking out the door of the U.S. Capitol to begin swearing-in ceremonies on January 21.
Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images
Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch on Monday, January 21.
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Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch on Monday, January 21.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had already taken quiet oaths the day before Monday's public ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
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Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had already taken quiet oaths the day before Monday's public ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
The president and first lady appear exuberant Monday as Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York joins them at the inauguration.
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The president and first lady appear exuberant Monday as Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York joins them at the inauguration.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Celebrity couple Jay-Z and Beyonce arrive Monday at the inauguration.
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Celebrity couple Jay-Z and Beyonce arrive Monday at the inauguration.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
The president greets his daughters Sasha and Malia at the Capitol on Monday.
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The president greets his daughters Sasha and Malia at the Capitol on Monday.
John Moore/Getty Images
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter greet the crowd Monday.
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter greet the crowd Monday.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Obama salutes as he arrives Monday at the West Front of the Capitol.
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Obama salutes as he arrives Monday at the West Front of the Capitol.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Bonita Volcy and nephew Cullan King, 10, of Texas try to keep warm on the National Mall in Washington on Monday.
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Bonita Volcy and nephew Cullan King, 10, of Texas try to keep warm on the National Mall in Washington on Monday.
Andre Chung/MCT via Getty Images
The Lee University Festival Choir from Cleveland, Tennessee, performs Monday on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
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The Lee University Festival Choir from Cleveland, Tennessee, performs Monday on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A presidential cutout rises above the crowd gathering Monday near the Capitol.
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A presidential cutout rises above the crowd gathering Monday near the Capitol.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The U.S. Capitol Police stand guard Monday atop the Capitol.
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The U.S. Capitol Police stand guard Monday atop the Capitol.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
A place card awaits President Barack Obama for Monday's inaugural luncheon in the Capitol's National Statuary Hall.
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A place card awaits President Barack Obama for Monday's inaugural luncheon in the Capitol's National Statuary Hall.
Allison Shelley/Getty Images
Throngs gather Monday for the inauguration.
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Throngs gather Monday for the inauguration.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Crowds await the start of the presidential inauguration Monday on the Capitol's West Front .
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Crowds await the start of the presidential inauguration Monday on the Capitol's West Front .
John Moore/Getty Images
Police stand guard along the inauguration parade route Monday.
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Police stand guard along the inauguration parade route Monday.
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People gather near the Capitol on the National Mall for Monday's inauguration ceremony.
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People gather near the Capitol on the National Mall for Monday's inauguration ceremony.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A woman with an Obama button waits near the Capitol on Monday.
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A woman with an Obama button waits near the Capitol on Monday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The president and his daughters return to the White House from prayer services at St. John's Episcopal Church on January 21.
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The president and his daughters return to the White House from prayer services at St. John's Episcopal Church on January 21.
ROD LAMKEY JR./AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama arrives Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church hours before taking part in a ceremonial swearing-in for his second term.
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President Barack Obama arrives Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church hours before taking part in a ceremonial swearing-in for his second term.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
An inaugural attendee yawns while others huddle beneath a blanket Monday at the Capitol.
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An inaugural attendee yawns while others huddle beneath a blanket Monday at the Capitol.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images
President Barack Obama takes the oath of office Sunday from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts as first lady Michelle Obama holds the Bible, with daughters Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, by their parents' side in the White House Blue Room.
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President Barack Obama takes the oath of office Sunday from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts as first lady Michelle Obama holds the Bible, with daughters Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, by their parents' side in the White House Blue Room.
Larry Downing/Pool/Getty Images
People gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the ceremony on Monday.
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People gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the ceremony on Monday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Roberts arrives to administer the oath of office to Obama at the White House on Sunday.
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Roberts arrives to administer the oath of office to Obama at the White House on Sunday.
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Michelle Obama embraces her husband after he took the oath of office January 20. Daughters Malia, left, and Sasha watch from the side.
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Michelle Obama embraces her husband after he took the oath of office January 20. Daughters Malia, left, and Sasha watch from the side.
Charles Dharapak/Pool/Getty Images
A stage technician from Maryland Sound International sets up microphones for the presidential inauguration at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday.
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A stage technician from Maryland Sound International sets up microphones for the presidential inauguration at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
David Carr poses with one of the Barack Obama doll heads he is selling as Washington prepares on Sunday for Obama's second inauguration.
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David Carr poses with one of the Barack Obama doll heads he is selling as Washington prepares on Sunday for Obama's second inauguration.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
A chorus rehearses at the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday.
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A chorus rehearses at the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday.
John Moore/Getty Images
Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York greets people at the Capitol on Sunday.
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Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York greets people at the Capitol on Sunday.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
Christian evangelist Mary Clement of Silver Spring, Maryland, sings and reads from her Bible as she walks along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House on Sunday.
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Christian evangelist Mary Clement of Silver Spring, Maryland, sings and reads from her Bible as she walks along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House on Sunday.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Obama and Biden lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on January 20.
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Obama and Biden lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on January 20.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol building on January 20 as Washington prepares for Obama's second inauguration.
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An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol building on January 20 as Washington prepares for Obama's second inauguration.
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