The president was in a cosmic frame of mind on the eve of his inaguration as he anticipated placing his hand on the Bible and promising once more to faithfully defend the Constitution.

Bush was beginning Inauguration Day — officially — at a worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. At noon, he was to become the 16th second-term president.

Early in the morning, workers checked microphones and lights on the podium where Bush was to be sworn in. A sign near the reviewing stand read "Eyes Left," a cue for those in the parade to look toward the president, not the media, as they filed past.

Freedom "is a cause that unites our country and gives hope to the world," he said Wednesday evening just before red, white, blue and gold fireworks showered the dark sky over the National Mall. Then, reaching to his religious faith, Bush said, "We have a calling from beyond the stars to stand for freedom, and America will always be faithful to that cause."

Although Bush extolled that heavenly blessing for the cause of liberation, he also acknowledged an earthly recognition of the limits of power. "I'm going to give it my all for four more years, and then I'm coming home to Texas," he told cheering supporters.

His White House chief of staff, Andy Card, said Bush wants to make the best of the time he has left in office.

"The president fully understands that he has an opportunity to change America and to change the world, and the window of opportunity won't stay open very long," Card told ABC's "Good Morning America."

The nation faces unsettling threats from terrorists and anxiety about the steady uptick of U.S. deaths in Iraq (news - web sites). There are worries about Social Security (news - web sites)'s future and stress over the pricetag of medical care and a slow job market.

Inaugurations, though, are a time to talk about hope.

"The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands," Bush was telling inauguration watchers in this country and across the globe. "The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."

More than a half million people were gathering in the snowy capital in near-freezing temperatures for the swearing-in at the West Front of the Capitol and the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Snipers were dispatched to rooftops and bomb-sniffing dogs into the streets. Miles of metal barricades gave a fortress-like feel to the city, which is well acquainted with post-Sept. 11 security.

The inauguration was to be witnessed by his mother, Barbara Bush, in addition to his father, along with a host of distinguished guests that included former presidents Carter and Clinton and their wives.

Inauguration is a time of unity for our country, the president said.

"With the campaign behind us, Americans lift up our sights to the years ahead and to the great goals we will achieve for our country. I am eager and ready for the work ahead."
 

yahoonews.com