Obamas Meet Wild Cheers

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama today emerged twice from their limousine to respond to wildly cheering crowds along the inaugural parade route from Capitol Hill to the White House. The couple waved to chanting, flag-waving crowds lining Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate the start of Obama's second term. Spectators began shouting "Obama, Obama" as they returned the greetings from the first couple. Many in the crowd used their cellphones for picture-taking to capture the scene. The first lady blew air kisses to the crowd as the couple got back in their limousine after walking about three blocks.

The Obamas later got out of their limousine again closer to the White House, waving and walking hand-in-hand. The crowd roared as the Obamas walked by bleachers in front of the White House, waving and smiling. Michelle Obama occasionally clapped her hands when she wasn't holding hands with the president. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill also left their limousine to acknowledge the crowds. Biden on several occasions bounded over to the barricades to shake hands with spectators and pose with children. Some spectators who weren't along the route where the Obamas walked said they were happy nonetheless. See more here. (More President Obama stories.)