Jan. 20: Bush to Take Oath of Office

W A S H I N G T O N, Jan. 20 -- George W. Bush, after narrowly winning the presidency in one of the most unusual elections in history, will take the oath of office at noon today as he is sworn in as the nation's 43rd president.

Today's events are unfolding amid gray, chilly and wet weather. Early this morning, the temperature stood at 33 degrees as precipitation wavered between rain and snow. But inaugural planners maintained that miserable weather would not force the swearing-in ceremony indoors.

Across the street from the White House this morning, inside a three-building block of 19th century homes known as the Blair House, Bush woke around 6:30 a.m., and he and dozens of his family members were getting ready for the big day.

Bush, Vice President-elect Dick Cheney and their families are attending a 9:30 a.m. service at St. John's Church on H Street near the White House where many presidents, including the president-elect's father, often worshipped during their years in office.

After the service, Bush and Cheney will head to the White House for coffee with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. The Clintons and Bushes will share a car to the swearing-in ceremony, and the Cheneys and Gores will drive in another car to the U.S. Capitol.

Transition of Power

At 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., where President Clinton is spending his final hours as chief executive, a moving van was visible this morning on the south side of the White House.

The outgoing president plans to make headlines right up until the final hours of his administration. White House chief of staff John Podesta told ABC's Good Morning America today that Clinton "made a bunch of decisions" on presidential pardons last night, but "wanted to sleep on them."

On his final night in power, Podesta said, Clinton watched a movie and "packed up some last things in the Oval Office."

As President Clinton leaves the White House after eight years, Bush aides said the new president would waste little time in beginning to exercisehis presidential powers.

He may act as early as later today to issue an executive order toblock or delay a variety of President Clinton's executive ordersand last-minute rules, transition aides said.