Politics

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John Adams, the first to hold the job, dismissed the vice presidency as "the most insignificant office" ever invented. Mather Brown's oil painting of Adams was finished in 1788, while the future vice president was serving as a diplomat.

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AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES Associate Judge Kathleen Oberly swears in Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, on hand. Mrs. Clinton, who has been the junior senator from New York, won Senate confirmation in a 94-2 vote.

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President Obama, with his wife, Michelle, and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. with his wife, Jill, participate in the multidenominational prayer service. About two dozen clergy offered prayers, reflections, readings and traditional American hymns.

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Agence France-Presse/Getty Images A woman reading a newspaper on Wednesday in Beijing will not find President Obama's entire speech; the state news agency cut a reference to facing down "fascism and communism."

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Two Navy officers chat in a corner of the National Building Museum, which hosted the Commander-in-Chief's Ball on Tuesday. The Commander-in-Chief's Ball honors men and women in the military. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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**FILE** Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America by Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts Jr. at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2009. (J.M. Eddins Jr./The Washington Times)

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** FILE ** Then President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, leave St. John's Church on Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, 2009. Following the service at St. John's, the Obamas went to the White House to meet with President Bush and his wife before heading to the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration.

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** FILE ** Barack Obama takes the oath of office, becoming the 44th president of the United States and the first black person to hold the position on Jan. 20, 2009. He is joined on the Capitol steps by wife Michelle and daughters Malia (second from right) and Sasha. He was sworn in using the Bible from Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration, in 1861. (J.M. Eddins Jr./The Washington Times)

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This artwork by Paul Tong relates to Barack Obama's inauguration.

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A branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland is seen in London on Jan. 19, 2009. (Associated Press) **FILE**

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Charlie Brotman, shown here in a file photo surrounded by memorabilia in his basement in Takoma Park, was the president's announcer at the inaugural parade since 1957 and was the play-by-play announcer at annual T-ball games at the White House. (Associated Press)

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President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the Lincoln Memorial during an inaugural concert in Washington , Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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**FILE** Craigslist says Metro stations are prime places for 'Missed Connections' (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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Jim R. Fouts, the mayor of Warren, Mich., the largest suburb of Detroit. (John Tully/Special to the Washington Times)

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The White House is seen at dusk as illuminated by lights from the North Lawn in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2008. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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A row of portable toilets line the National Mall near the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) **FILE**

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The Pride of Baltimore II is a modern re-creation of a typical early United States privateering vessel. Civilians who took up privateering could hope to gain huge wealth while wreaking havoc on English commerce.

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Then-D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (left), Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier and then-City Administrator Dan Tangherlini huddle during a news conference on D.C.'s preparations for Inauguration Day. (Michael Connor/The Washington Times/File) **FILE PHOTO**

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** FILE ** Then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton confers with Sen. Charles E. Schumer before her confirmation hearing for secretary of state on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009. (The Washington Times)