From The Hartford (Conn.) Courant — Originally published Tuesday, Jan. 20

Talk about pressure. Barack Obama, already enshrined in the pantheon of great American speakers, is expected to give the speech of his life today when he is sworn in as the nation’s 44th president.

Even his daughter said to him, “First African American president. Better be good.”

Probably Mr. Obama could read the phone book and the crowd would cheer, so excited is the nation about this audacious young president.

But in dark days like these, we all ache for the kind of magical, reassuring, edifying words that Mr. Obama’s rhetorical forefathers left us with: “Better angels of our nature.” “Nothing to fear but fear itself.” “We as a people will get to the promised land.”

Much is asked of this new leader, who has raised the hopes of a nation tired of war and worry. Americans will be listening hard today.