The Past as a Guide for an Inaugural Address That Frames the Moment - NYTimes.com

The Past as a Guide for an Inaugural Address That Frames the Moment - NYTimes.com: "As his family studied Lincoln’s inaugural words, carved into the memorial’s stone, they began discussing Mr. Obama’s own inaugural speech, he told CNN. His 10-year-old daughter, Malia, then turned to him and blurted out: “First African-American president. Better be good.”

That special burden just adds weight to a task that is already daunting — following his eloquent predecessors as he marks the peaceful transfer of power on Tuesday with an Inaugural Address, only the 56th in the nation’s history."