The New York Times: President Obama is expected to sign executive orders Thursday directing the Central Intelligence Agency to shut what remains of its network of secret prisons and ordering the closing of the Guantánamo detention camp within a year, government officials said."

The Washington Post on yesterday's activity…  "President Obama moved swiftly yesterday to begin rolling back eight years of his predecessor's policies, ordering tough new ethics rules and preparing to issue an order closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which has been at the center of the debate over the treatment of U.S. prisoners in the battle against terrorism. Acting to address several promises he made during his campaign, Obama met with top generals about speeding the withdrawal from Iraq and gathered his senior economic advisers as he continued to push for a massive spending bill to create jobs."

"The burst of activity gave Obama a running start on his foreign and domestic policy agendas and fulfilled several campaign pledges that were crucial to the support he received from core Democratic constituencies," the Boston Globe writes. "But his first actions also seemed explicitly designed to sweep away lingering policies of former President Bush, who left office Tuesday as one of the most unpopular chief executives in US history."

This hasn't gotten enough attention… The Los Angeles Times writes, "Obama also issued a trio of decrees intended to make government more transparent. The moves were applauded by historians, political scientists and lawyers who took their battle for access to executive branch records to court during the Bush presidency. The first order effectively undid a Bush administration policy that had restricted the release of presidential documents -- a rule that had been challenged in court by the National Security Archives and by historians."

"Bush's rule allowed former presidents, vice presidents and their heirs to cite executive privilege to block the release of documents after they have left office. With his order, Obama essentially threw out that rule, allowing only the current president to block the release of documents and depriving heirs of that right."

Obama "plunged into the Mideast conflict with a series of phone calls from the Oval Office, and immediately caused a flap over who he called first." Palestinian officials boasted that Obama called Abbas first; Israel brushed it off. "Diplomatic sources said who a President phones first when he makes a flurry of calls is more often a matter of scheduling and availability, not favoritism."

Lost in much of the drama around Caroline and the new oath was the CBO report questioning how quickly Obama's stimulus plan could help the economy. Congressional Republicans jumped all over the criticism, noting it may take longer than the administration has been claiming. Obama has agreed, by the way, to meet with House GOP leaders about their stimulus plans, sometime next week.

Just how much time will Americans give Obama on the economy? The latest Ispos/McClatchy poll is further evidence suggesting a pretty patient public: 45% say they wouldn't expect to see results from an economic stimulus package for more than a year. (53% said they would expect to see results within a year -- 23% within six months, 26% within a year and even 4% within just a month). 56% said they would WANT to see results within six months, however.

The Daily News' DeFrank: "The honeymoon begins in unadulterated swoon. It will end; they always do. Staff missteps, rookie mistakes and legislative rebuffs go with the exalted turf of every Oval Office. A year from now, his numbers won't be so lofty. But Obama's honeymoon is apt to last longer than most."

"In golf, they call it a mulligan. A do-over," the Washington Post writes. "There's no formal name for what President Obama and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. did last night. After flubbing his one role on Inauguration Day -- administering the oath of office to Obama -- Roberts traveled to the White House to re-administer the oath. Just to make sure."

"'We decided it was so much fun . . .,' Obama joked while sitting on a couch in the Map Room. Obama stood and walked over to make small talk with pool reporters as Roberts donned his black robe. 'Are you ready to take the oath?' Roberts asked. 'I am, and we're going to do it very slowly,' Obama replied."

The New York Times adds, "While about two million people were on hand to watch the first swearing-in, a figure that does not include the hundreds of millions who watched it on television in the United States and around the world, only nine people witnessed the do-over. There were four aides, four reporters and a White House photographer present on Wednesday evening. Mr. Obama raised his right hand and did not use a Bible."

While NBC's Pete Williams says the oath isn't necessary to serve as president, what about this idea of executing the powers? And we're just asking, but by retaking the oath last night, does that mean the White House is acknowledging there is some question about its ability to execute the powers of the presidency? So does that mean he needs to re-sign every executive order he's issued since taking office?

Also, the Washington Post's Kornblut has this interesting piece noting the lack of technology in the White House. "Two years after launching the most technologically savvy presidential campaign in history, Obama officials ran smack into the constraints of the federal bureaucracy yesterday, encountering a jumble of disconnected phone lines, old computer software, and security regulations forbidding outside e-mail accounts. What does that mean in 21st-century terms? No Facebook to communicate with supporters. No outside e-mail log-ins. No instant messaging. Hard adjustments for a staff that helped sweep Obama to power through, among other things, relentless online social networking. 'It is kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari,' Obama spokesman Bill Burton said of his new digs."

By a 94-2 vote, Hillary Clinton was confirmed as Secretary of State.

"Republicans put new obstacles in the path of Eric H. Holder Jr.'s quest to become attorney general, raising concerns that he would prosecute intelligence agents who engaged in potentially illegal interrogation techniques and postponing consideration of his nomination," the Washington Post says. More: "The Senate Judiciary Committee decided yesterday morning to delay a vote to send Holder's nomination to the full Senate while lawmakers attended the morning National Prayer Service with Obama. The hearing was rescheduled for yesterday, but Republicans then requested a one-week delay on the nomination that Democrats were required to grant under committee rules." 
 
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee "approved [Susan Rice's] nomination [for UN Ambassador] by voice vote. The action paves way for her confirmation by the full Senate. A full Senate vote had not been immediately scheduled."

Republicans not ready for a fight? Think again. Check out what they're doing in the House: "Republicans are hoping to foment divisions in the Democratic ranks and force a clear wedge between Pelosi and Obama. The GOP tactic came into full view during a House Appropriations Committee markup, where Republicans complained for hours about the lack of subcommittee hearings on the Democrats' economic plan." 
 
"The Senate formalized committee assignments for the 111th Congress on Wednesday night, passing an organizing resolution that leaves some spots for both Democrats and Republicans open in order to accommodate vacancies caused by Cabinet nominations and an unresolved Senate race in Minnesota."

MINNESOTA: Roll Call checks in with Norm Coleman, who apparently was on the Hill yesterday as was competitor Al Franken. The paper called Coleman "noticeably relaxed" and "expressed confidence." "We believe that when the ballots that have been double-counted are taken out and the absentee ballots are counted in a uniform manner, that the lead that Franken has is artificial and we'll be back on top," Coleman said. His trial is set to begin Monday. "Coleman counted back from his 225-vote deficit in the interview, arguing that without double-counted votes and counting every remaining wrongfully rejected absentee ballot -- many of which he argued are from Republican areas -- the lead that he had on election night would hold. 'Reports of my defeat are greatly exaggerated and very much premature,' said Coleman, paraphrasing author Mark Twain's famous words."
 
By the way, he and his staff are still in his Senate office. Though his term ended Jan. 2nd, "The bottom line is that I believe we have until Feb. 4 to pack up the office and transfer the cases," Coleman said.

NEW YORK: The New York Daily News uses the quippy headline on its Web site: "Hil seat blues" referring to Caroline Kennedy withdrawing her name from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton. "Caroline Kennedy's brief political career ended Wednesday night as abruptly as it began after she withdrew her bid to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton."

The New York Post, which first reported the news last night, writes, "Kennedy's move reshuffled the deck of contenders for Paterson, who will choose Clinton's replacement. The seat officially became vacant after Clinton was confirmed nearly unanimously by the Senate as secretary of state yesterday."

The New York Times says that Kennedy's decision "appeared to catch the governor off guard, throwing the Paterson administration into confusion and setting off conflicting news media reports. After frantic talks between the governor's operation and Ms. Kennedy's camp Wednesday evening, Ms. Kennedy appeared to waver on whether to withdraw, and was preparing a statement reasserting her interest in the job. But just after midnight, she decided to make clear she was taking her name out of consideration and released the statement saying so."

What happened? No one will know for sure, as the tick-tock on Caroline appears to be all over the place. Two sources told NBC News that she started telling friends and advisers of her hesitance over the weekend. But those same sources thought whatever second thoughts she was having were eliminated by Monday or Tuesday. So what happened? Was she upset by how the process was going? Did something happen between Kennedy and Paterson? Did something come up in the vetting process that she didn't want to deal with publicly? Was this a "stomach" issue -- i.e., she didn't have the iron stomach for New York politics? Was she always hesitant about doing this put felt pressure from her family to push for the appointment?

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
President Obama will host the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress at the White House on Friday in order to discuss the broad legislative agenda, according to multiple congressional sources. Tentative time: 9:45 a.m. ET.

Also, House Republicans will get their wish for a sit down with the president on the issue of the stimulus and their ideas for the measure. They had sought a meeting for tomorrow, Thursday, but the confab will happen next week instead.

House Republicans, as you know, are unhappy with both the policy and process involved in the $825 billion stimulus colossus and had, in effect, called the president on his pledge of bipartisanship, asking for a meeting two days after the inauguration.

From NBC's Libby Leist
The Senate has voted 94-2 to confirm Sen. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

The no votes were Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and David Vitter (R-LA).

*** UPDATE *** From NBC's Domenico Montanaro 
94-2 makes 96 votes. So who are the four that didn't vote?

-- Ted Kennedy (who spent the night in the hospital after suffering a seizure at the joint inaugural committee luncheon yesterday)
-- The vacant Minnesota seat (that race is still undecided. Al Franken currently leads by 225 votes, but Norm Coleman has taken the matter to the Minnesota courts.)
-- The vacant Colorado seat (held previously by Ken Salazar, who was confirmed as Obama's Interior Secretary. His replacement, Denver schools chief Michael Bennett has not been sworn in yet.)
-- Hillary Clinton (Per NBC's Mike Viqueira, she did not vote for -- or against -- herself)

*** UPDATE II *** NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports, Hillary Clinton was sworn in today at her Senate office moments after the confirmation vote, with her husband and staff looking on.

*** UPDATE III *** Here's Sen. John Cornyn's justification for holding up Clinton's confirmation but then later voting for her: "I wish President Obama and his administration well. His success will mean America's success. But if we're going to restore trust between the American people and their government we need to be careful that the reality matches the rhetoric. My concern is not whether our colleague, Senator Clinton, is qualified to be secretary of state or not. She is. And I intend to vote for her confirmation but I also believe it's very important to flesh out some of the concerns that have been raised legitimately."

From NBC's Mark Murray
The last time members of the Democratic National Committee gathered at the Marriott-Wardman Park hotel in D.C. was in late May, when they met to resolve the fate of those Florida and Michigan delegations.

After an eventual ruling that cemented Obama as the party's presidential nominee, and that angered quite a few Hillary Clinton supporters, it seemed likely that the contentious Obama-Clinton primary season would leave the party splintered headed into the general election.

How wrong that thinking turned out to be. Almost eight months after that Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting over Florida and Michigan, DNC members reappeared at the Marriott-Wardman Park hotel to celebrate their party's political victories and unanimously elect Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as their new chairman.

"Today, we have a great president, a great vice president, and a party that is stronger than ever," said outgoing chairman Howard Dean, referring to the party's victories in 2006 and 2008. "Together, we did move our country forward." Dean received standing ovations before and after his remarks.

"I feel like I'm taking over for a three-time Super Bowl winner. I have big shoes to fill," Kaine later said after receiving the chairman's gavel, adding that the 50-state strategy Dean championed was a "magnificent success."

"I was the first beneficiary of it," Kaine said, referring to the DNC's help in his 2005 gubernatorial victory. "Every state, every region, every community matters. The 50-state strategy is now and forever what Democrats do."

Kaine noted that he has three goals as the new DNC chair: 1) promote Obama's agenda, 2) carry the party's banner, and 3) engage Americans at the grassroots level.

And reflecting that he is in many ways Obama's political soul mate, Kaine talked about his past community service (as a Catholic missionary), spoke fluently in Spanish (to big applause), and stressed the importance of successful governance. "Americans want leaders who are about solutions, not ideology."

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
Last week, we reported that House Republicans had privately requested a meeting for tomorrow with President Obama on the topic of the stimulus.

Today they put it writing in a letter, excerpted after the jump. Also, NBC's Ken Strickland notes that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will meet with Al Franken today at 5:30 p.m. ET today.

"During our meeting on January 05, 2009, you reached out to Congressional Republicans to help you craft an economic recovery plan that will help our fellow Americans, boost our economy and create jobs," said the leaders. "In response to your request for input, we created a House Economic Recovery Working Group from a broad cross-section of our House conference and started talking to experts, other elected officials and citizens from across the nation to hear their thoughts on what Congress needs to do to help our economy."

"With the Congressional Budget Office reporting earlier this week that the plan proposed last week by congressional Democrats would not have a significant impact on the economy for several years, Republicans are prepared to provide the president their ideas for a more rapid recovery plan.

"After thoughtful deliberations, we are ready to present our principles to you to continue the dialogue we started at the beginning of this year," the leaders continued. "At that time you stressed the urgent need for swift action, and in that vein, we are requesting a meeting with our Economic Recovery Working Group and you, Thursday, January 22, 2009. We are ready to continue our work to confront this economic challenge that is facing our nation and stand ready to work with you to do what is best for America."

OTHER HILL NOTES: NBC's Ken Strickland notes that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will meet with Al Franken today at 5:30 p.m. ET today. Franken holds a 225-vote lead in the Minnesota Senate race, which is still making its way through state court.

This is not an indication, says Reid's office, that a Franken seating is eminent. Franken just happens to be in Washington post inauguration.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
For those senior staffers making more than $100,000 a year, President Obama today announced a pay freeze on their salaries.

The president signed an executive order instituting stricter ethics rules, including a ban on lobbying the White House when current White House staffers leave their posts as well as a ban on gifts.

Video: At the swearing-in ceremony for senior White House staff, President Obama announces a pay freeze for those making over $100k per year, as well as lobbying

Obama said anyone who attains a government job will receive an ethics briefing and be required to sign off on it. (Obama said he received the very first one of the administration last week.)

The executive order, Obama said, "represents a clean break from business as usual."

He added that the government should be held "accountable" and should be more "transparent."

Americans should "know which decisions are being made" and "how theyre being made, so the American people are well served," Obama said, adding that there is "too much secrecy in this city."

He emphasized that government agencies should act in good faith with regard to the Freedom of Information Act.

"Starting today, every agency and department stands on the side of those who seek information," Obama said.

Some reporters, particularly those who traveled with the campaign, might see irony in statements like these, since the Obama campaign and transition were as tight and on message as the Bush campaigns and administration. It is no secret the news media -- the ultimate information seekers -- got as much information out of the Obama team, as it was authorized to give, which usually wasn't much.

Some information relating to national security and privacy would still be withheld, Obama said, but stressed, "Just because you have the legal power to withhold information, doesn't mean you should."

In cases when the president may not want certain pieces of information divulged in a FOIA request, Obama pledged to consult first with the Attorney General and White House Counsel.

"Transparency and the rule of law," Obama said, "will be the touchstones of this presidency."

Ribbing Roberts
After Obama spoke, Vice President Biden was slated to swear in senior staff. But the vice president, who seemed unaware that he would be leading the ceremony, quipped,  "My memory's not as good as the Chief Justice. (He may have been referring to his needing notes.)

NBC's John Yang notes, President Obama looked uncomfortable. ...

At the Democratic National Committee's meeting, where members will officially vote to make Tim Kaine their chairman, NBC's Mark Murray points out that outgoing chairman Howard Dean also took a shot at Roberts.

When mentioning a slight error in the meeting agenda, Dean said, "I wouldn't trade places with John Roberts."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Yesterday was a day of celebration for President Obama, but he, as much as anyone, has stressed the harsh realities the country faces. One of those challenges is the situation in Gaza.

This morning Obama made his initial contacts as president with prominent players in the region, including Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, Palestinian Authority President Abbas, Egyptian President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan.

"He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and to express his hope for their continued cooperation and leadership," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement. "In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, he emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the ceasefire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza. He pledged that the United States would do its part to make these efforts successful, working closely with the international community and these partners as they fulfill their responsibilities as well. The President appreciated the spirit of partnership and warm nature of these calls."

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Treasury Secretary nominee Tim Geithner, the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, filed his own taxes using Turbo Tax during the period he neglected to pay thousands of dollars in taxes.

Under questioning from Senate Finance Committee Republican member Chuck Grassley, Geithner was very reluctant to disclose which tax filing software he used. He quickly suggested the software wasn't the problem; he was.

Video: During opening remarks at his senate confirmation hearing, Treasury Secretary-designate Tim Geithner says that "the most prudent course, is the most forceful course," in fixing the American economy.

But Grassley pushed back, again asking what software he used. Geithner said, "Turbo Tax."  Grassley then asked if Turbo Tax has brought it to his attention that Geithner needed to pay more taxes. Geithner said, "No."

Today is the first day Geithner has publicly discussed the taxes issue. Last week, he explained himself before members of the committee in a closed session and followed up with phones calls to some Republicans on the panel.

The outlook for Geithner's nomination appears on track, with key Republicans last week calling the tax matter "troubling and serious" but not a "disqualifying factor."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In his opening statement at his confirmation hearing for Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner launched a preemptive defense of his failure to pay more than $30,000 in taxes, calling them "mistakes" that were "careless," "avoidable" and "unintentional."

He said he accepts "full responsibility" and apologized to the committee for having to deal with this when there are serious problems facing the nation.

Video: Tim Geithner, President Obama's pick for Treasury Secretary, apologizes for "careless mistakes" made on his tax returns, which are being scrutinized during his senate confirmation hearing.

Geithner's prepared remarks, by the way, did not include the defense.

"If you and your colleagues in the Senate give me the opportunity to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, I will do everything I can to justify your trust and confidence," he pledged.

Also on the Hill today, NBC's Ken Strickland reports that the final vote on Hillary Clinton's nomination to be Secretary of State should happen at about 4:30 p.m. ET. The vote will be preceded by three hours of debate. It's expected that she will be confirmed.

'To: #44, From: #43'
President Obama spent about 10 minutes alone in the Oval Office this morning, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. While there, "he read the note left to him by President Bush that was in an envelope marked 'To: #44, From: #43,'" Gibbs said in a statement.

At 8:45 a.m., Obama was joined by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to discuss the day's schedule; 25 minutes later, the president was joined by Michelle Obama.

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Jim Miklaszewski
Pentagon and White House officials tell NBC News that NO OFFICIAL ORDER to suspend legal proceedings against terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay has been given by the White House or Pentagon -- at least not yet -- but that is clearly the intent. 

A military prosecutor filed a late-night motion Tuesday to suspend the military commission's legal proceedings against terror suspects pending a review of the process by the Obama administration. The prosecutor, Clay Trivett, said he filed the motion at the direction of the president and Defense secretary.

This morning, a senior Pentagon official told NBC News that Defense Secretary Gates verbally handed down the president's order to suspend the legal proceedings at Gitmo, and that a formal written order would follow perhaps as early as today. But the prompt response from military prosecutors in filing the motion appears to have taken both the Pentagon and White House by surprise. Officials at both places tell NBC News that the prosecutors "got a little ahead of themselves" by making the motion late yesterday and beating both the White House and Pentagon to the punch. 

In any event, when the administration does make its intent to suspend the legal proceedings at Gitmo official, Pentagon officials stress that the decision to suspend the proceedings would be up to the presiding military judges. Pentagon officials say disbanding the commissions would take an act of Congress, which created the legal process in the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

*** UPDATE *** Per Mik, Pentagon officials now confirm that at the "direction of the President" Defense Secretary Gates verbally ordered military prosecutors to seek a 120-day suspension of all military commission legal proceedings at Guantanamo Bay.

The officials expect more detailed guidance on the next step but call this action "the first step in a broader, more comprehensive review of policies and procedures related to detainees at Guantanamo." That more comprehensive review is expected to ultimately include orders to close the detention facility altogether.

From NBC's Ken Strickland
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed its 10:00 am ET session where it was expected to vote on Eric Holder's vote to be attorney general. According to committee press staff, the delay is to accommodate members who wanted to attend this morning's prayer service for President Obama.

The vote could happen later today. Holder is expected to be voted out favorably from the committee. The final vote before the full Senate will then have to be scheduled.

*** UPDATE *** Holder's hearing will resume at 2:30 p.m. ET today.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have exercised their right to delay a committee vote on Eric Holder's nomination for Attorney General for one week. The vote will likely happen next Wednesday.

This turn pushes the full Senate vote back further, denying President Obama another key cabinet post for an unknown amount of time.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Obama gets to work: In his first full day as president, Barack Obama participates in a prayer service this morning at Washington's National Cathedral. He also will sign a few executive orders, including one that bans any White House staffer from lobbying the Obama White House if he/she leaves. The big meetings of the day takes place later in the afternoon, when the president sits down (1) with his economic team and then (2) with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Gen. David Petraeus and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen. This second meeting fulfills a promise that Obama made during the summer, as the AP reminds us. "My first day in office, I will bring the Joint Chiefs of Staff in, and I will give them a new mission, and that is to end this war responsibly and deliberately but decisively," he said then. Sources tell us that Obama will indeed ask for a plan to begin the process of troop redeployment in Iraq in the next 16 months. As for Gitmo news, it appears the military lawyers quoted in the various news stories circulating got a bit ahead of themselves; still, it's the intent of the new administration to begin closing it. And new White House press secretary Robert Gibbs plans to hold his first briefing at noon ET, though this could get pushed back a day. By the way, yesterday's immediate change at whitehouse.gov was pretty striking, and what stood out to us were all the issue pledges the Obama team included. Many are not detailed, but the pledges are there for all to see. The Web site has more of the feel of a campaign Web site than the official White House site. It also appears a bit more interactive than Bush's or Clinton's sites.

*** Looking back at the inaugural address: As for yesterday's speech, the rhetoric might not have been as soaring as we're used to, but Obama pivoted from being candidate Obama (the inspirer), to President Obama (the guy elected to get things done). "For everywhere we look, there is work to be done," he said. "The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth." As others have noted -- including Maureen Dowd, who compared it to Stephen Colbert's brutal roast of Bush at the '06 White House Correspondents' dinner -- Obama's speech also was a not-so-subtle rebuke of the past eight years. The market's "power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control, and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous." More: "[We] reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." And: "[W]e will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." And don't let it go unnoticed that Obama laid down a marker when it comes to dealing with the Muslim world. Obama goes down in history as the first president to say the word "Muslim" in an inaugural address. Historians will use that anecdote some day. Of course, yesterday was a memorable day for Obama and the country on a whole other level. But, even as the new president reminded us, it will last the test of time not for what happened yesterday, but what happens afterwards. "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given," he said. "It must be earned."

*** Another busy day on the Hill: By unanimous consent, the Senate yesterday confirmed seven of Obama's cabinet picks -- Chu (Energy), Duncan (Education), Napolitano (Homeland Security), Orszag (OMB), Salazar (Interior), Shineski (Veterans Affairs), and Vilsack (Agriculture). The notable absence from this group, of course, is Hillary Clinton, whose confirmation was held up by GOP Sen. John Cornyn. NBC's Ken Strickland reports that Clinton's final confirmation vote will occur sometime this afternoon after three hours of debate (the hope in the White House is that she'll be confirmed in time to participate in the national security meeting). In addition, we'll see two confirmation hearings today -- Geithner's for Treasury at the Senate Finance Committee at 10:00 am ET, and Ray LaHood's for Transportation at the Senate Commerce Committee at 2:00 pm. Also today, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Holder's confirmation at 10:00 am.

*** The GOP's demographic challenge: With Obama now in the White House, it's as good of a time as any -- especially with the RNC chair contest coming up next week -- to break down some of the challenges the Republican Party faces heading into 2010 and 2012. We'll begin today looking at the party's demographic hurdle. In short, the GOP has increasingly become a party that's appealing only to white voters, hardly good news when you consider that the United States will become a majority-minority country in three decades. In the presidential election, McCain grabbed just 4% of the black vote, 31% of the Latino vote, and 35% of the Asian-American vote -- all down from George W. Bush's haul in 2004. Put another way, some 90% of McCain's voters were white; that's compared with some 60% of Obama's voters. In a country that's now just 74% white (at least via its voting electorate), no national candidate can expect to win the presidency based on just white voters.

*** Latinos and younger voters: The struggle that McCain -- a senator from the border state of Arizona -- had with Latinos could be particularly troublesome for Republicans. Matthew Dowd, who served as Bush's chief strategist in the '04 election (and who later parted ways with Bush and the GOP), says that future Republican presidential nominees will need to get more than 40% of the Latino vote to be able to win. What's more, McCain lost voters ages 18-29 by more than 30 points (66% to 32%). That represents an entire generation of first- or second-time voters who pulled the lever for the Democratic Party. "Losing young voters by 30-plus points is a major fire alarm," Dowd said.

*** Filling Dean's shoes: Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will be formally elected as the new DNC chairman when the Democratic National Committee meets today at 1:00 pm ET in DC.

*** Mr. Franken comes to Washington: And Al Franken ended up attending Obama's swearing-in yesterday. "It was a great honor to join so many hopeful, excited Americans in Washington today to witness the inauguration of our new president," he said in a statement. "The next few years will call for bold action and courage on the part of our leaders and our citizens. And I know that, with all of us working together, we will meet that call." Sounds a lot like he's prepping for another return to DC. By the way, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid secured Franken's swearing-in tickets, according to informed sources.
 
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 7 days
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Pretty much every newspaper in the U.S. -- as well as a majority of newspapers in the world -- has Obama's inauguration on the cover:

The Washington Post's Balz writes, "Obama's somber address -- and his exhortation to the country to pull together -- fit the times in which they were delivered. 'Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real,' the president 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.' Yet at a time of doubt and despair, and on a day when the stock market plummeted again, Obama's inauguration showed another side to the nation's current mood -- hopefulness and a sense of confidence that has been invested in a young and relatively untested new president." 

The New York Times: "Barack Obama's Inaugural Address on Tuesday was a stark repudiation of the era of George W. Bush and the ideological certainties that surrounded it, wrapped in his pledge to drive the United States into 'a new age' by reclaiming the values of an older one… [N]ot since 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt called for a 'restoration' of American ethics and 'action, and action now' as Herbert Hoover sat and seethed, has a new president so publicly rejected the essence of his predecessor's path."

The New York Daily News' DeFrank calls the speech "part sermon, part tutorial, part call to arms, well-packaged and elegantly delivered. Yet for all the inspiring, hopeful flourishes of his 18-minute inaugural address, Obama also served up a stark, tough-love message: Grow up, guys."

The Los Angeles Times: "More than a million people flocked to the National Mall to take part in the event, spilling outward from the gleaming white Capitol steps toward the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial more than a mile away. Choirs sang. Some of the world's finest musicians -- including classical violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, along with soul singer Aretha Franklin -- performed. High school bands paraded. And tears streamed down faces, weathered and smooth alike, here and around the globe, as the son of a white American and a black African ascended to his place in history."

The Wall Street Journal: "Mr. Obama acknowledged the significance of his rise to power for a nation where race has long been a highly charged subtext. He linked his family's immigrant past -- his father, who hailed from Kenya, once herded goats -- to the legacy of segregation experienced by many of the thousands of African-Americans who came from around the country to witness his inauguration."

The Boston Globe looks at what the day meant for African Americans.

"Barack Obama took the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, becoming the nation's first black chief executive nearly 144 years after the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, and nearly 45 years after Congress guaranteed black Americans the right to vote," Roll Call writes. "Obama's swearing-in was the climax of a days-long inaugural celebration that spread across D.C., a majority-black city whose citizens have rarely, if ever, found themselves at the center of 'official' Washington's attention."
 
Obama, by the way, cut Chief Justice John Roberts some slack on the oath. "We're up there, we've got a lot of stuff on our mind, and he actually helped me out on a couple of stanzas there," Obama told ABC News backstage at the 'Neighborhood Ball.' 'So overall, I think it went relatively smoothly and I'm very grateful to him.'"

There were logistical hiccups with some ticketholders left out, but in all, the Secret Service "breathed a sigh of relief that the day's events went off without major injuries or security breaches, despite concerns that the inauguration might be the target of a little-known terrorist group based in Somalia." 
 
With the handoff of power, came that nuclear briefcase.

The AP says, "Although he may not get to bed before 3 a.m., Barack Obama plans to make his first full day as president a jam-packed affair of prayer, diplomacy, war discussions and welcoming hundreds of visitors to the White House."

More: "Perhaps no one will be watching more intently than anti-war activists who backed Obama from the start because of his promise to extract U.S. forces from Iraq, a conflict that has lasted nearly six years. He said in July: 'I intend to end this war. My first day in office, I will bring the Joint Chiefs of Staff in, and I will give them a new mission, and that is to end this war responsibly and deliberately but decisively.' That's just what Obama will do on Wednesday, said a top adviser, noting that the meeting also will include military commanders and aides outside the Joint Chiefs. The adviser would speak only on condition of anonymity because the Wednesday meeting has not been formally announced." 

It was a pretty awful day on Wall Street yesterday -- a reality check of just what Obama faces. Things were great in DC, but the economy is faltering ... big time.

Obama's legislative team's "main focus: trying to find a middle ground on the economic stimulus package that the president is urging bipartisan support for. So far, their approach with Congress has been much more cooperative than that of the Bush administration's team, according to veteran Capitol Hill lobbyists."

By the way, we guess it pays to dine with George Will. The conservative columnist writes, "Obama, whose trumpet never sounds retreat, overstated the scale of our difficulties with his comparison of them with those the nation faced in the almost extinguishing winter of 1776-77. Still, the lyrics of cultural traditionalism with which he ended -- the apostle of 'change we can believe in' urging the nation to believe in 'old' values -- reinforced his theme of responsibility, summoning the nation up from childishness."

Also today, infrastructure industry experts will release a new report outlining how the Obama administration, Congress, and governors can utilize the over $180 billion in readily available private equity to create new jobs.

Bush's Exit: "But surrounding Bush throughout the day were sights and sounds that his presidency, which began amid great controversy eight years ago, had ended in controversy as well," the Los Angeles Times writes. "Just as demonstrators clogged the barricades to protest his Supreme Court-mediated victory in 2000, so the disenchanted lined Pennsylvania Avenue yesterday… Bush is famously thick-skinned. But as the morning wore on, his smile appeared to grow more strained. Perhaps one reason was the unmistakable enthusiasm for his successor, who drew far larger crowds than Bush did to either of his two inaugurations. Or perhaps it was that despite Obama's repeated thanks to Bush, many of the words of the inauguration speech must have stung."
 
On Dick Cheney, the New York Post writes, "No, that wasn't Dr. Strangelove sitting on the platform as Barack Obama was sworn in as president."

What signal was the GOP sending with Cornyn's hold of Clinton's confirmation? That the party won't roll over? Did it look petty? Eye of the beholder, we guess. "Although the delay on Clinton is not likely to last long -- the Senate is expected to hold a roll-call vote on her nomination today -- it is nonetheless a signal that the GOP minority in Congress will seek every opportunity to exert its will."

Politico: "Hillary Clinton had a very public tête-à-tête Tuesday with the man who squashed her dreams of an Inauguration Day confirmation -- Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Neither blinked. Clinton and Cornyn talked intently and gestured meaningfully at the entrance to Statuary Hall, moments after Barack Obama was sworn in. This attracted the attention of reporters who had been staking out Obama's lunch with congressional leaders and noticed the two hashing something out 50 feet away." 

Bloomberg News adds, "The delay in confirming Clinton means that Obama assumes office with vacancies in his two top Cabinet posts: State and Treasury. Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner is scheduled to appear at his Senate confirmation hearing tomorrow."   

As much as Geithner's tax issue is a political problem, what the incoming Treasury Secretary has to say about the financial crisis will probably cause the markets to move. That's the REAL test today.

The Boston Globe on Ted Kennedy: "...Kennedy suffered an apparent seizure yesterday that a doctor said was probably caused by "simple fatigue," inserting a dramatic turn of melancholy amid a triumphant celebration of the liberalism that Kennedy holds most dear… Less than two hours earlier, the Massachusetts Democrat had sat in a black fedora and sky-blue scarf feet away as Obama became the first black man to read the presidential oath taken by Kennedy's brother John nearly a half-century ago. For months, Kennedy had anticipated the historic occasion as the culmination of decades of his work on civil rights and immigration law."

MINNESOTA: In the Coleman-Franken race, which has now gone on 78 days past election day, an "avalanche of legal filings continued Tuesday," the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes. Franken asked a three-judge panel to dismiss Coleman's lawsuit trying to recount every rejected absentee ballot, and Coleman filed a "subpoena that seeks testimony from a state elections official regarding the campaign's claim that discrepancies in recount figures may have cost the Republican 10 to 15 votes." The state's attorney general opposed it, but "it underscores how Coleman is leaving no stone unturned in a search for votes that might close the gap." Also, Coleman said, "Franken is no Obama" in a fundraising e-mail appeal. Here's another item exploring the complicated double-ballot issue.

NEW YORK: "Gov. David A. Paterson said on Tuesday that he would announce no later than Saturday whom he would appoint to fill the Senate seat that is being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton… 'I have a good idea now which direction I want to go,' Mr. Paterson said."

"Then, explaining why he would wait to reveal his choice, he added: 'I thought that with something this serious -- that when I came to a point of view -- that I wouldn't react to it immediately. So since I'm going to be here for another couple of days, I thought I would see if it feels the same way when I come back on Wednesday as it did, I guess toward the end of yesterday afternoon, when I think I started to come to a point of view.'"

From NBC's Frank Thorp
With the inauguration complete and the new furniture in place, the Obamas are not the only ones getting ready for their stay at the White House. Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs met with the White House press corps for the first time today in an informal discussion at the door of the West Wing briefing room. He unfortunately did not come with much information to share. 

Does Barack still have his blackberry?
"It's a good question; I just don't know the answer."

What did Bush and Obama talk about at coffee?
"I have...I will check." 

Do you expect action on Secretary of State-designate Clinton tomorrow?
"I know congressional relations was working on that this morning, and I don't know where they are."
 
He did mention that outgoing Press Secretary Dana Perino had left him a note to read once he took his seat at the White House. He explained how grateful he was that she, and the rest of the Bush team, was helpful during the transition. Perino and Gibbs met four times before the inauguration, he said. While he hadn't gotten around to reading the note she left him, he quipped, "I assume one of the notes said 'don't unlock the door.'"
 
But he did unlock the door, and the press joked, "Welcome. This is your future!" 

And as he stepped out of the briefing room he said, "Somebody lock this door behind us,"  keeping the press corps out of the West Wing offices.

From Stokes Young, director of multimedia @ msnbc.com
There have been a lot of historic firsts today. Here at NBC News we're excited that, on the occasion of Barack Obama's oath of office and inaugural address, we're offering our own small first step for online news video. For the first time, you can use a video clip's transcript to:

• Jump to and play any point in the video by clicking on the word where you want to begin
• See the most commonly used terms in a video clip and select them to see them highlighted in the transcript and on the timeline
• Search a video clip's transcript for the words you want to watch play in the video, and go right to them
• Select a subclip of a longer clip to embed on your blog or Web site

That last feature bears some explaining, even though in the end it's about as simple as copying and pasting in a text document. For the example below, I first went to the clip of the swearing-in and inaugural address at http://inauguration.msnbc.com.

Then, with the transcript view open, select the block of text you want to embed as video and click the "Clip & Embed" button that pops up. You can then drag the "in" and "out" marks to make sure you have the bits you want, and preview with the "play" button:

Then, hit the "copy" button to get the embed code on your clipboard:

Then, paste the clip into your blog:

One of the best features of the dashboard, beyond the technology, is having a wealth of archival NBC News footage of past inaugurals. It's easy to lose yourself watching silent clips dating back to McKinley and transcript-indexed full speeches back to Truman (with some indexed FDR clips in between). Compare the clip of President Obama, above, with this excerpt from President Reagan's first inaugural address:

Finally, don't forget to select the "NBC News analysis" radio button to see select analysis and commentary on specific moments in the speech, many of them from right here in First Read. We call the feature Video Explorer. Have fun with it, and tell us what you think, but make sure you check out our Photosynths as well. . .

Photosynth is a Microsoft technology that "stitches" together a large selection of pictures from one location to allow you to really feel like you are there. We made one from pictures from the inauguration ceremony, and you can click the 'next' and 'previous' buttons to see a selection of several more covering the inaugural.

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Sen. John Kerry went to the hospital to see Sen. Ted Kennedy. Kerry said Kennedy will spend the night there to rest but is doing well. 

"His Irish is up. He's in good shape, laughing and joking, anxious to get back to work," Kerry said, describing Kennedy's mood.

Kerry added that Kennedy expects to be back in the Senate and views this as a momentary interruption.

He also said that the kind of seizure Kennedy experienced today "goes with the territory" of the brain cancer he is battling.

*** UPDATE *** Statement by Dr. Edward Aulisi, Chairman, Neurosurgery, Washington Hospital Center:
"Senator Edward Kennedy experienced a seizure today while attending a luncheon for President Barack Obama in the U.S. Capitol. After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue. Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning."

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Domenico Montanaro
The Senate confirmed six of Obama's Cabinet nominees, plus Peter Orszag for OMB Director. (Though OMB is cabinet-rank, it is not an official cabinet post.)

This makes one fewer secretary confirmed for Obama by inauguration day than for George W. Bush by inauguration day 2001 -- so far.

The members were confirmed by unanimous vote. They were: Steven Chu (Energy), Arne Duncan (Education), Janet Napolitano (Homeland security), Ken Salazar (Interior), Eric Shinseki (Veterans Affairs), Tom Vilsack (Agriculture).
 
The final Senate confirmation vote on Hillary Clinton will be some time tomorrow after three hours of debate. 

Others big name nominees still awaiting confirmation include Tom Daschle (HHS), Tim Geithner (Treasury), Susan Rice (UN) and Eric Holder (Justice).

"Twelve of President Ronald Reagan's 14 Cabinet members were confirmed within two days of his first inauguration in 1981, while 13 of President Bill Clinton's 15 Cabinet members were confirmed within one day," Reuters reported. "President George W. Bush's Cabinet took longer to seat, with seven winning confirmation the first day and the rest approved within 11 days, according to Senate Democrats."

BREAKING NEWS: From AP: "Sens. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., have been taken from an inauguration luncheon for
President Barack Obama. A Capitol police officer stood up at the luncheon and said medical attention was needed."

NBC's Mike Viqueira witnessed Kennedy wheeled out the South Door on a stretcher. NBC's Ken Strickland reports that one source who talked with someone involved in transporting Kennedy described the incident and was "seizure like" symptoms.

Reuters and AP cite a congressional aide who said Kennedy apparently suffered convulsions.   

A somber and clearly affected Obama said during remarks at the luncheon that he was out of the room, but that his thoughts and prayers were with the Kennedys.

Orrin Hatch told reporters briefly that he and John Kerry went to the ambulance with Kennedy and that he looked better there.

"It was a difficult thing," Hatch said. "It looked to me like he was going to be OK" when he was with Kennedy at the ambulance.

Hatch said he'd also heard there was an emergency for Byrd but didn't know the details and didn't see what happened.

*** UPDATE *** NBC station WSAZ of Huntington, W.Va., reported that a spokesperson for Senator Byrd said the veteran senator "is fine and was not taken to the hospital."