Barack Obama sworn in for a second term as President

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Photo: President Barack Obama receives the oath of office as First Lady Michelle Obama looks on at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)  

My day at the inauguration

I was super excited to witness history in the making, the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama taking the oath of office for the second and last time.

My editor Dante and I met early in the morning to make our way to the designated area where we had tickets. By the time we got there, tens of thousands of people had already gathered on the National Mall and more were yet to come. They had started pouring in since before sunrise, even though the ceremony was scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Everywhere I looked I saw folks wearing inauguration memorabilia: buttons, hats, scarves, flags, bagsand backpacks, and even jackets with the presidential seal. People had come from all over the country to be together for this momentous occasion. I spoke with members of a family who came from Florida, Georgia, New York, and Texas for a reunion on the National Mall on Inauguration Day!

A crowd of great diversity was making its way slowly but steadily towards the Capitol Building. Kids of all ages, parents, and grandparents tried to find a spot in front of the giant screens placed strategically on the Mall. The atmosphere was charged with boundless energy as the crowd was anticipating the President’s oath and speech.

Everywhere you went was jam-packed with people. Dante and I had tickets for the South Standing area. Because no one seemed to be checking tickets once we were inside, we moved with the crowd to the West Standing area. It was mobbed by thousands of people. At one point we were even squashed between a massive crowd and the doors of a port-a-potty!

My inauguration weekend

I was very excited when I first heard that my editor Dante assigned me to cover the Inauguration Day. But when I arrived in Washington, D.C., on Saturday my weekend got even better.

Being at the inauguration is very important to me because it completes the election cycle I have been writing about since the primaries. I’ve learned a lot about the issues and the candidates in the process, and witnessing the President taking the oath of office will be the final page in my election book.

My excitement doubled when I heard that I would also be covering the Kids’ Inaugural Concert, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The concert took place on Saturday before the inauguration and it highlighted support for the military spouses and children. Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Fun., Brad Paisley, and host Nick Cannon performed for a huge audience at the Convention Center.

My dad and I arrived two hours in advance to pick up our credentials, talk to some young spectators, and take in the atmosphere. I was so eager to hear the music and see all of the entertainers, I could hardly contain myself! The venue was absolutely packed with thousands of excited kids who felt just like me.

Just as the show was about to start, I received a message from Dante that Wolf Blitzer wanted to interview me live on CNN’s The Situation Room. Although I was sad that I didn’t get to see the concert, I was very much looking forward to this new opportunity.

America Prepares for Inauguration Day

The 2012 presidential election cycle reaches its official conclusion on Monday. That's when citizens and elected officials will gather in Washington, D.C., to witness President Barack Obama be sworn in for his second term in office.

According to the 20th Amendment of Constitution, the current President's term ends at noon on January 20 after serving out a four-year term. The incoming or reelected President is then sworn in by taking the Oath of Office, also established by the Constitution. The Oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

"The inauguration acknowledges the change of administration under the Constitution, in a peaceful transfer of power," explained William B. Allen, a retired dean and professor from James Madison College at Michigan State University. "This Oath, taken by all Presidents, is necessary before being allowed to execute the role of the President and it is required by the Constitution. It is a reminder of the source of their authority and the limitations on that authority."

"Young people should learn early that such testimony is an affirmation of their liberty and what it takes to sustain it," Allen added.

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder

Photo: Barack Obama, joined by his wife Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)   

The view inside Obama HQ

In the main event space at President Barack Obama's Election Night party at McCormick Place in Chicago, hundreds of national and international news agencies were set up and broadcasting. After my parents, brother, and I arrived and explored, we made our way to a workspace that looked on to a TV that was showing six different news stations simultaneously. Massive overhead screens also hung throughout the event space. Obama supporters at the event focused on those screens and cheered loudly whenever a projection favoring Obama was announced.

Of course, when it was announced that President Obama had won re-election, McCormick Place erupted with cheering and chants of "Four More Years!

The announcement was made at around 11:20 p.m., and as the crowd waited for the President to deliver his victory speech they danced, clapped, sang, and waved little American flags. The music was loud, and so was the crowd!

But everyone at McCormick Place had to wait a long time for the President. Mitt Romney delivered his concession speech at 1 a.m. — nearly two hours after Obama was declared the winner. The crowd seemed to lose some of its energy as the night dragged on. Except for the section of supporters directly behind the President's podium. Their presence was revealed a short while before the President took the stage. They were concealed behind a blue curtain. This newer, fresher cheering section was located directly in the sight line of most of the major TV outlets, providing them with images of energetic attendees.

Obama finally took the stage at 1:40 a.m. He was met with wild, loud, and long cheers. First Lady Michelle Obama joined him on stage, then left the President by himself to deliver his victory speech.

In his speech, Obama thanked his supporters, his family, his Vice President, Joe Biden, and even his opponent, Mitt Romney.

But he also spoke to pulling the country together after a divisive presidential election. "We are an American family, and we rise and fall together as one nation and one people," President Obama said.

A big part of the President's speech was that it's now time to move past the campaign and focus on working to improve the country. Obama said that he wants to work with Romney to solve the problems facing the nation.

"In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward," Obama said.

When President Obama concluded his speech, the crowd went wild! He was joined by his family and the Biden family. Then an explosion of red, white, and blue confetti filled the air.

Obama supporter A.J. Dilay summed up the feelings of a lot of the people at McCormick Place last night. "Being here tonight has been so uplifting," he said. "Just the energy is like nothing I've ever felt. I'm just screaming inside and full of joy."

I know it's a night that I will never forget!

—Kid Reporter Natalie Wexler

Photo: Supporters cheer at the end of President Barack Obama's remarks during an election night party, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The view inside Romney HQ

Last night, hundreds of people from around the world gathered at the Boston Convention and Expo Center to see if their choice for President, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, would be the next President of the United State. His hopeful supporters waited for hours to get into the center. Even Donald Trump was there to show his support for Governor Romney. The mood was calm but happy, A sort of “We got this” feeling was in the air.

As I talked to supporters, they seemed happy but also a little nervous. “I’m not sure who will (win), but I hope its Romney,” said Lisa Gibbs from Birmingham, Alabama.

As the votes came in, Romney held a small. early lead. But President Obama kept it tight right and was right on Romney’s tail. People outside started to get more excited and people started answering my questions as if Romney had already won. “We came from Baltimore early this morning to watch history be made here,” said Joe Tristani.

Though Romney had a small lead, he lost it very quickly and became neck and neck with Obama. There was a new sort of tension in the air with people starting to realize that Romney might not be the next President. His supporters went back to saying “if” he wins. I asked supporters what they thought the most important issue in America is and how Romney would help solve it if elected. Nancy Young of Massachusetts said, “We hope to get rid of Obamacare and get the healthcare plan back on track.” Others like Janet Fogerti thought that the economy was the biggest issue.  “I think the biggest issue is the economy but also national security,” she said. 

At 11:30 p.m., most of the national TV news outlets had projected Ohio would be won by Obama, which would mean he won re-election. Governor Romney's campaign wasn't ready to concede defeat — they wanted to see more results come in from Ohio first. But as the night went on, Obama won more states and it was clear Romney would not be the winner.

At 12:55 a.m., Romney took the stage at the convention center to deliver his concession speech. His speech was gracious. He thanked his family and staff, as well as his supporters and his running mate, Paul Ryan. “Next to Ann,” Romney said, “Paul is the best choice I’ve ever made.”

Romney also said he wanted the country to pull together and get to work fixing the nation's problems. "The nation, as you know, is at a critical point," Romney said. "At a time like this, we can't risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people's work. And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion.

He then gave advice on how Americans, as working people, can help fix the economy. "This election is over, but our principles endure," Romney said. "I believe that the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to a new greatness."

When he finished his speech, his family, as well as Ryan and Ryan's family, came together on the stage to thank their supporters.

—Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg

Photo: Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg outside Mitt Romney's campaign night event in Boston. (Courtesy Coleman Hirschberg)

Editor's note: Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg had to leave the Romney event early because he got sick as the night wore on. As a result, he wasn't able to speak to Romney supporters after Romney delivered his concession speech.

A tight race for Governor in Indiana

Mike Pence and John Gregg went head to head yesterday for the title of Governor of Indiana. Both with their separate reasons for wanting to be elected, both anxiously watched the votes come in.

This is the first Governor election where the powerful incumbent, Mitch Daniels, wasn’t running. Both candidates are diverse, which made it a more difficult decision for Indiana voters.

“The governor’s race has been interesting because it started out so quiet and then has been much more vocal at the end,” said Dr. Sarah Stelzner of Indianapolis. “I think got a little bit dwarfed by the whole controversy with the senate race and obviously with the presidential race. So, that one has been a little bit harder to follow for me and the fact that there’s two people trying to put themselves forward as opposed to an incumbent that you have some experience with but it was easy for me to make a decision.”

Amidst the chaotic Election Day, a foreigner who wasn’t able to vote headed to the polls with a friend for the experience. Valerie Spriet of Indianapolis enjoyed comparing and contrasting the elections here and in her native country, France.

“It’s not allowed,” Spriet said about campaign ads still being broadcast on Election Day. “Because at this stage in France, 24 hours before the election everything must be stopped. The candidates mustn’t speak on TV anymore. Nobody is allowed to give papers for the different parties outside the place you vote.  It is totally forbidden.  They think that they have to leave people on their own to think now to begin to make their own choice and that they don’t have to interfere anymore.  So they stop all the campaigning.”

The votes were neck and neck for a great amount of time until Mike Pence pulled ahead to become the next Governor of Indiana with 50 percent of the vote to Gregg’s 46 percent.

I interviewed both candidates about the governor's race in Indiana. You can read more about it on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website.

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: Governor-elect Mike Pence (Courtesy Pence campaign) 

Nevada: A swing state no more?

History is made in Nevada.

President Obama captured re-election last night with the assistance of Nevada's six electoral votes.

Obama won the state by 51 percent of the popular vote, with 47 percent going for Romney. This is the second consecutive year Nevadans have voted blue (Democratic). This swing state has predominately voted red (Republican) since 1912.

It appears Nevada may be starting a new trend for their future.

—Kid Reporter Cheyenne Ruiz

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on the rise after elections

Election night was a good night for Maryland Democrats, but especially for Governor Martin O’Malley. In addition to voting to reelect President Barack Obama, Marylanders renewed mandates for the Democratic ticket: Senator Ben Cardin, US Representatives John Sarbanes, Steny Hoyer, and Chris Van Hollen, and denied 6th district Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett an 11th term in favor of Democratic newcomer John Delaney.

Governor O’Malley had four other reasons to smile, too. His constituents voted “Yes” on all statewide ballot measures championed by the Governor and Democratic Party leaders.

Four More Years!

President Barack Obama defeats Mitt Romney to earn another term

After months of campaigning, the 2012 presidential election came to an end last night.

President Barack Obama defeated former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to earn four more years in the White House.

President Obama won the popular vote 50 percent to 49 percent, as of early Wednesday morning. But he won nearly 300 electoral votes, with Florida still not called for either candidate. The first candidate to 270 electoral votes is declared the winner.

At a rowdy Election Night event in Chicago, was met with wild, loud, and long cheers. First Lady Michelle Obama joined him on stage, then left the President by himself to deliver his victory speech. 

Check out the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website for the rest of the story!

—Kid Reporters Natalie Wexler and Coleman Hirschberg

Photo: President Barack Obama waves as he walks on stage with First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night party Wednesday, November 7, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)