SEVEN MINUTES

At 4:03 PM, secret servicemen held their breath as Barack and Michelle Obama stepped out of their armored car to talk a walk along Pennsylvania Avenue. They waved to the crowd with big smiles on their faces, soaking it all in. The walked for about seven miutes before getting back in the limousine. 

It was quite a sight... and at about 4:27 PM, it happened again - another seven minute stroll.

The area was secure, but surely, the secret service and other security forces must have been on edge, regardless of how much they've been preparing. All foreseeable contingencies appear to have been taken into account. Buildings overlooking the parade route must have been secured and all the spectators behind the barricades went through a thorough screening process - they weren't even allowed to bring umbrellas.

He was safe (he looked genuinely happy and unworried). He could have even shook hands with some people in the crowd if he wanted, but it's not surprising that he elected not to. 

A little later, Joe Biden took a walk with his wife (he even jogged a bit), but that was no big deal. Nobody really wants to shoot him... Still people were chanting his name and he was getting his props. Nevertheless, it was Obama's day.

It was nice seeing him on the street, although I doubt the press would have given him much of a hard time if he stayed in his car. In 1981 Jimmy Carter and his family walked all the way from the Capitol to the White House, but the last two inaugural processions weren't as peaceful - with mass protests and people pelting W's car with eggs.

I guess it makes sense that the Barack and Michelle limited their strolls to seven minutes. They stayed in the secure confinements of their armored limousine for the rest of the way.

At 4:37 PM the Obamas finally arrived to their new home. Let's hope this is the start of something good. Surely it can't be any worse than the last eight years.