Obama Express heading for DC

President-elect Barack Obama started from Philadelphia in the morning heading to Washington DC on an historic train ride mirroring the last leg of Abraham Lincoln's inaugural journey to the nation's capital.

Obama stopped in Wilmington, Delaware and Baltimore, Maryland before boarding the chartered train to DC with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and both of their wives and families. The Obamas will stay in Blair House, the official presidential guest house, until the inauguration.

A number of balls and galas are scheduled to take place in the capital prior to the inauguration, which is expected to attract around 2 million people.

BBC News

Obama in Delaware
New York Times - 1 hour ago
Following is the prepared text of Barack Obama's remarks in Wilmington, Del., as provided by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Video: Obama's Whistle-stop Tour Makes First Stop AssociatedPress


Obama calls for 'new declaration of independence'USA Today



Seattle Post Intelligencer
All Aboard the Obama Express!
Buzz Log, CA - 34 minutes ago
by Mike Krumboltz Barack Obama will soon have the toughest job on the planet. But at least he's traveling in style for his first day at the office. ...
Obama joins list of presidents arriving by train St. Augustine Record

President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden are planning a pre-inaugural celebration with their families in Baltimore on Jan. 17.

Obama will start the day in Philadelphia and the event will focus on the inaugural theme of "Renewing America's Promise" -- featuring cities with historic connections to that theme: Philadelphia, where the nation's founders signed the Declaration of Independence; Baltimore, "where the country's independence was defended,"; and Washington, the nation's capital.

"As part of the most open and accessible inauguration in history, we hope to include as many Americans as possible who wish to participate but can't be in Washington," Emmett S. Beliveau, director of the inaugural committee, said in a statement. "These events will allow us to do that while honoring the rich history and tradition of previous inaugural journeys."

Telegraph.co.uk

Obama, Biden to hold event in Baltimore before inauguration
Baltimore Sun - 1 hour ago
By Paul West | paul.west@baltsun.com WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will hold a pre-inaugural event in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 17, as they travel to Washington by train for the ...
Obama, Biden Inauguration road show to hit Philadelphia ... Chicago Sun-Times
Obamas & Bidens to Arrive By Train to Kick-Off Inauguration Weekend ABC News

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon endorses Barack Obama

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon endorses Barack Obama

by Sam Graham-Felsen, Monday, January 21, 2008 at 07:49 AM

BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his commitment to bringing people together to create change that matters for all of America's families.

Mayor Dixon said, "I am proud to support Barack Obama because he is the candidate in this race who has proven he can bring people together to create change that matters for working families. As a community organizer he made life better for the poorest people in Chicago by improving housing and fighting job loss. In the Illinois state senate, he brought people together to pass universal health care for children. And in the United States Senate, he has reached across the aisle to fight the power of special interests on our government. He has a plan to make sure every child has a world-class education and every family has affordable health care, and those are the things that truly matter in people's lives. I am proud to support his campaign."

Senator Barack Obama said, "As the first woman to hold this office in Baltimore, Mayor Dixon is a trailblazer, and she has spent a lifetime working to make life better for Baltimore's families. From her years as a Kindergarten teacher to serving as president of the Baltimore City Council to fighting poverty and homelessness as Baltimore's mayor, Mayor Dixon has worked to bring change that matters in people's lives. As a working mother herself, she knows firsthand the demands on working families in our country, and she is committed to making policies that work for the future of Baltimore. I look forward to working with her to bring change in the months and years to come."

Mayor Sheila Dixon became mayor in January 2007, and is Baltimore's first female mayor. Previously, she served as the first African American female to serve as the Baltimore City Council president. Dixon also sat on the Baltimore City State Central Committee, and spent years as a kindergarten teacher in Baltimore.

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Obama Campaign stops in South Carolina

Greenville -- Jan. 22
Greenwood -- Jan. 22
Orangeburg -- Jan. 22
Rock Hill -- Jan. 23

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