7:15pm: your verdicts

Did Obama's speech hit the right note with you? Share your thoughts in the comments section. I'll be back tomorrow with more analysis. G'night.

6:30pm: the new semantics?

Back to the instant verdicts:

Conservative author S E Cupp told Fox News: "This was a great speech. President Barack Obama hit every centrist note — strength in our defense, but with restraint. Pride in country, but with humility. Help for the poor, but not for the lazy. Great challenges, but tremendous optimism for the future. Peace for the willing, opposition against the unwilling. He spoke respectfully and sincerely to both sides of the aisle. There is no doubt in my mind (nor was there ever) that Barack Obama will govern from the center. And this is very good news."

In the Daily Mail, commentator Liz Jones writes that, at times, Obama almost had the "cadence and emotion" of Dr Martin Luther King: "This wasn’t a speech that dodged any issues, and parts of it will be difficult to swallow for many Americans, especially the super rich and the famous ones. I think his sombre words will herald the end of the silly celebrity culture, the ridiculous consumer culture, that Americans have lapped up for so long."

Political blogger Michael Tomasky, writing in the Guardian, says he was surprised by how "rooted in the moment" the speech was. "Obama chose to speak in specific terms – one might even say programmatic ones – about the dire present moment and his plans for how to get out of it... A few of the lines were so on-message that they would have worked well in a closing statement during a presidential debate."

Elsewhere, a tag cloud of words used by Obama during his address reveals that 'nation' dominated, followed  - apparently in equal quantity - by 'America', 'people', 'world', 'work' and 'today'. Words such as 'God', 'patriot', 'danger' and 'defence' were used only sparingly - a deliberate reversal of his predecessor's preferred rhetoric? It certainly seems to emphasise the difference between the two presidents' priorities.

5:45pm: The post-speech analysis begins

The most important part of today's spectacle was Obama's speech, delivered immediately after he became the new US president. Commentators across the world are now poring over the full text, analysing every syllable. What were the main messages? Was there any subtext? Is it comparable to the inaugural speeches of any previous presidents?

Obama's main message - that the US needs to pick itself up, dust itself off and reclaim its position of leadership - was a direct jab at the many failings of the Bush administration. Some commentators are comparing the speech to the one given by John F Kennedy, who also inherited a country that had been united by fear.

* Quick aside: Dubyah has left the building (well, the Hill), heading for Andrews Air Force base and then onto the former First Family's new home in Texas. Cheers in the MSN newsroom... 

5:05pm: Barack Obama is now president of the United States

Here comes the man of the hour, his hand on Lincoln's bible... And he stammered! Stumbled on his words. "I will execute faithfully... faithfully execute... (smiles all round) " BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Obama speaks: he's thanking George Bush for his cooperation. "Every so often, the oath is taken in rising storms and gathering clouds.. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood." Lost homes, failing schools, dependence on foreign energy - these are the indicators of crisis, he's saying. "No less profound is the sagging of confidence in our country..." The challenges will be many, "but know this, America - they WILL BE MET... On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances, the worn-out dogmas, that for too long have strangled our (government)... All are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness..."

He's paying homage to the ancestors of today's generations of Americans. "They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions... Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of rebuilding America."

Science will be "restored to its rightful place" in the new administration, he's saying - core to solving some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today, such as global warming and energy production. "All this we can do; all this we will do."

Not a square inch of ground on Capitol Hill that isn't covered by human beings, listening intently. No sign of any notes or autocue - can't imagine Dubyah pulling off a lengthy speech quite so eloquently.

"We reject the choice between our safety and our ideals" - a return to the rule of law, even in the face of terrorism. "We are ready to lead once more." Cheers. Fascism and Communism were faced down with sturdy convictions, not just tanks, he's saying.

"The lines of tribe shall soon dissolve" - his tone is overwhelmingly pluralist, one of working together to defeat common foes such as climate change and energy shortages.  "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility." Now he's reciting Washington's own words - those of carrying forward freedom and delivering it safely into his people's hands."

This is a man who means business - and will be sitting in the Oval office tomorrow morning with a pile of enormous problems waiting in his in-tray. The biggest ovation came when he referenced the fact that 60 years ago, a man of colour would have struggled to get a seat in a restaurant - and certainly wouldn't have been standing on Capitol Hill accepting the US presidency.

5pm: theme by John Williams

Joe Biden is now vice president of the United States. Legendary Hollywood composer John Williams, he of Star Wars fame, penned the piece of music that will usher Obama onto the stage. It's a sweeping, orchestral version of Lord of the Dance. Not bad. It's now noon in DC. The inauguration is running slightly behind schedule - a rare thing indeed. Everyone's on their feet.

4:45pm: Barack Obama takes the stage

It's a cliche, but the applause that greets him is thunderous. This is the dream that Martin Luther King spoke about four decades ago. Silence falls for a second before the soon-to-be-president and his VP, Joe Biden, are introduced. "The world is watching as our great democracy engages in this peaceful transition of power..." Ballots are more powerful than bullets, the speaker is saying: hear, hear. 

This just in from our blogger in DC: "Eerie silence as crowd awaits swearing in. Dubya appears to chants of 'na na na na na na na na hey hey hey goodbye' and boos."

4:35pm: George W gets less-than-enthusiastic greeting

Barely cracking a smile, the outgoing president has just taken his place to watch the inauguration of his successor. Muted boos from the crowd when his arrival was announced, the BBC's man-on-the-spot is reporting. Just spotted this on Twitter, from tanyaslonik: "Show some respect, people. No booing today! No shoes, either."

Why no shoes? It's six below freezing in DC...

And here comes Obama, looking every inch the statesman. The volume on the TV has been cranked right up here in the newsroom - my colleagues have downed tools are peering over the tops of their monitors like meerkats. Excitement levels almost as high as they were on election night. The horns are blowing: the ceremony is officially underway...

4:20pm, inauguration day:

With less than an hour left of the Bush presidency, the global chatter about the handover of the White House has reached deafening levels. Twitter, the comversation platform of choice for Democrats during the elections, is again playing host to millions of Obama devotees. Here are a few snippets from the conversation:

katofawesome: Now for the moment we've all been waiting for. I can feel it, the time is coming. :D

linlori: A huge day in history and neither of my girls are old enough to understand what's going on.

Sharoney: Long shot of the Mall. A sea of happy humanity. No exaggeration. None at all.

caseymorell: Hillary looks pissed...

Elaine, who's blogging live for us from DC, just caught a glimpse of George Bush senior - leaning heavily on his wife's shoulder and looking none-too-steady on his feet. Here's what she told me: "Just saw Bush senior on screen hobbling with cane. Cheers ripple through crowd as Gore, then Carter then Clintons come into view."

Any minute now... 

2:30pm, inauguration day:

What's happening:

It's been a long time coming, but change is finally here: today, at about 5pm GMT, Barack Obama will make history when he puts his hand on Abraham Lincoln's bible on the steps of the US Capitol and takes the oath of office, officially becoming the 44th president of the United States.

What people are saying:

More than a million people are braving the crush in Washington DC to witness the moment firsthand - including our Campaign Tales blogger, Elaine Monaghan, who's covering the event live for us. Here's her latest dispatch: "Finally made it into the city, nearly three hours after leaving home. Entertained during hour-long train ride that usually takes 10 minutes by beautiful gospel singing - Amazing grace, Lean on me, and endless chants of "yes we can" and "amen". Train absolutely jammed full, but as it edges along the track, there is not a single gloomy face: amazing atmosphere of joyfulness. As we arrive in the city, crowds are streaming towards the mall, the odd armoured personnel carrier is in view and people are handing out maps and stickers. It's absolutely bitterly cold, below freezing, unusual for washington, but no one seems to mind..."

Why we should give a damn:

The global conversation is overwhelmingly optimistic: the BBC World Service polled 17 nations and 15 of them said the majority of their population believe Obama's presidency will lead to improved relations between the US and the rest of the world. What do you think? Does Obama's inauguration herald a brave new world? I'll be live blogging throught the day and we'll be bringing you full coverage in our Obama inauguration special. Thanks for keeping me company.

Also on MSN:

Campaign Tales: live blog from Washington DC

President Barack Obama: inauguration special

Goodbye, Bush: a fond(-ish) farewell

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