MSNBC’s Chris Matthews compared President Barack Obama’s second inaugural speech to Lincoln’s Gettysburg address saying that, it reminded him “of another second inaugural, Lincoln’s, so much of Lincoln in that speech, from the Gettysburg Address to the second inaugural itself.” Matthews then added, “He talked about the government that we want, which is infrastructure, education, regulation, all the good things, and then recognizing that government can’t solve all the problems.”
David Corn wrote in Mother Jones that the address “targeted Obama’s people. He paid homage to Seneca Falls (women’s rights), Selma (civil rights), and Stonewall (gay rights). He spoke directly to those Americans attuned to those progressive struggles of the past and their present-day manifestations.”
However, Obama’s inauguration did not appear to fire up his base the way his first inauguration did. For one thing, thousands of un-ticketed inauguration attendees (many of whom only made it to the ceremonies towards the end after looping around closed off sections of Washington) did not hear the speech in its entirety due to a malfunctioning jumbotron on the mall’s north lawn.
In 2009, the idea of experiencing a “historic” moment, even in frigid weather, was worth just being at the inauguration of the first black president. This time around, many Obama supporters opted to stay home in front of the TV. In fact, a good number of individuals described the inauguration and parade as simply “boring” on Twitter.
Here are some tweets describing the “boring” inauguration and/or parade that followed:
The inauguration parade is boring me. Id much rather see stacy dash n lil kim. N tae heckard walking down the street
♉G. Lawrence♉– (@Enticingee) January 21, 2013
This inauguration was boring compared to the last one..
— Depressed Lakers Fan (@Miami_Chica) January 21, 2013
In 2009 I watched the inauguration from start to end. Even the boring bits…I miss having time like that!
— Renata (@ReneeHK_) January 21, 2013
All these kids are home today and I would bet few of them watched the inauguration. My little sister was like “this is boring” #sad
— Born2BReal (@1mocha89) January 21, 2013
Who can really Sit and watch this Inauguration all Day!? Shits Boring!
— Brandon (@BrandonGMC) January 21, 2013The Inauguration parade is so boring to me. Just marching bands & the P/VP.
— SR (@Squisite1) January 21, 2013Jill Biden’s dress is boring. It appears to be off the rack
— SR (@Squisite1) January 22, 2013Anyone else confused about the guy who read a poem at the inauguration? #Boring #ItWasASpeech
— Katy (@Kbwonderita) January 21, 2013
These bands boring. (@ The National Mall for 2013 Presidential Inauguration w/ 105 others) 4sq.com/Tc5DeA
— Tony Tescadero (@Tescadero) January 21, 2013This terms’ inauguration was boring as hell. The poet made me wanna rip my hair out.
— Chickadee † (@TakeCareLoves) January 21, 2013The inauguration wasn’t interesting than before. It was so boring I turned to Spongebob and watch that.
— LMAO;)23 (@ndancy22) January 22, 2013
After Alicia Keys performed this inauguration has become VERY BORING! #LHHNY
— Kristen Northern(@KrissyNachelle) January 22, 2013
@rolandsmartin inauguration is very boring stuff dude.
— Darryl Jordan (@darryljordan1) January 22, 2013Michelle Obama’s Inauguration outfits were boring.Shes too fly for those ill-fitting Jason Wu designs. #myFLOTUSisHot
— *~*Shongretta*~* (@iDoNewMedia) January 22, 2013That poem from Richard Blanco @ inauguration was WACKED, boring, retarded..yeah I said it !!He was all over the place, I kept asking what?
— Sweedde (@sweedde) January 22, 2013
Beyonce star spangled banner at the inauguration was mediocre… boring.
— FutureSexLoveSounds (@iSnapbaxKMONROE) January 22, 2013