President Barack Obama invoked a spirit of confidence

Obama promises bold action on economy
Story Highlights
Obama pledges "bold, swift action" on the economy

"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances," he says

Obama pledges an eventual return to fiscal responsibility

He renews promise to withdraw from Iraq and forge a peace in Afghanistan


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama invoked a spirit of confidence and renewal Tuesday, proclaiming to hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall that the country would ultimately thrive despite hard economic times.


The new president pledged both "bold, swift action" and a willingness to make tough choices in the name of economic recovery and eventual victory in the global war on terror.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real," Obama said. "They are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America -- they will be met."

The president called for an end to vitriol in the political process, declaring that Americans chose "hope over fear [and] unity of purpose over conflict and discord" in the 2008 election. Watch President Obama's inauguration speech »

"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics," Obama declared. Read speech transcript

"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

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