WASHINGTON - In his first speech as the nation’s chief executive, President Bush delivered a stunning address capable of reuniting a nation bitterly divided, many say.

A plethora of flags hanging behind the U.S. Capitol stage, Bush spoke to a crowd of thousands after being sworn in to office Saturday. And it was a speech lined with obvious passion and a call for all Americans to unite, especially since the Florida ballot melee has left a sour taste in the mouth of much of America.

“I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity,” he told a crowd so Republican that it heavily booed both President Clinton and Vice President Gore when the pair were introduced before the swearing-in ceremony began.

“We are confident in principles that unite and lead us onward. America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds; riches above our interests and teaches what it means to be citizens.”

During his two-year long campaign, Bush several times claimed to be a “uniter, not a divider.” Now, with ceremonies over and the world’s most premiere job already in his control, the ultimate test begins.

And many legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike, say the former Texas governor is up to the challenge.

“The speech really had a good tone, I thought,” U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint, said Saturday night at the Michigan State Society Ball. “It sound as if he wants to reach out and solve this nation’s problems.”

Meanwhile, members of the GOP couldn’t agree more, saying it’s time to put aside the bitter partisanship that some say has occupied the capital city - and the nation - for much too long.

“He has a great record in Texas,” U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, said before exiting a party breakfast early Saturday morning. “He got started out on the right foot there.

But Bush will have to work “very hard” to unite Americans now, Upton said. And while the congressman insists he’s optimistic both parties will rally behind the nation’s 43rd president, “the proof will be in the pudding,” Upton said.

Rusty Hills, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, said Bush clearly has the ability to accomplish great things while working in Washington.

“The man has come in there and said, ‘I am going to do something.’ And he really plans to get things done,” Hills said midway through Saturday night’s state inaugural ball.

Developing good relations with opposite parties is of key importance for the GOP and Democrats, now more than ever. Though the Republicans control the Congress and the White House, the party edge in the Senate is a single vote. Deadlocked at 50-50, Vice President Cheney could cast a slew of deciding votes throughout the next for years.

But some say Cheney’s one extra GOP vote won’t guarantee the Republicans passage of all key legislation. Many moderate members of the Senate’s GOP caucus don’t always vote down party lines, and many Senate bills require more than a simple majority of votes for passage.

Bush’s speech, aside on calling for “one nation,” also emphasized ideas he stressed relentlessly during his two-year campaign for the presidency.

He pledged to reform Social Security and Medicare “to spare our children of struggles we have the power to prevent.”

As governor of Texas, he was noted for taking a strong stance at reforming education. He wants no less on a national spectrum, saying schools must be saved “before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.”

And he didn’t fail to mention his plan to cut taxes immensely - a statement that drew perhaps the speech’s largest ovation.

His $1 trillion tax cut proposal is deemed risky by many on Capitol Hill, but the president has vowed to fight on with his ideas.

Of all his plans and policies he’s outlines thus far, Hills said it’s the tax cut that would most likely positively affect the residents of Michigan.

“It would keep the economy going, especially in the auto industry, which is experiencing a little hiccup now,” he said.

It’s the tax initiative that’s caused much of the criticism of Bush. But while his $1 trillion tax cut proposal is deemed risky by many on Capitol Hill, the president has vowed to continue fighting for the proposal he unveiled months ago.

Bush didn’t take long starting and finishing his inaugural address. The speech, flooded with optimism, was 15 minutes long - more than an hour less than the longest swearing-in speech, which was given by William Henry Harrison on March 4, 1841. Of course, Harrison gave his speech without wearing a coat, then traveled the entire parade. He caught pneumonia and died in office a month later.

Saturday, Bush didn’t spend more than 10 minutes out in the cold during the Inaugural Parade. Bush and First Lady Laura left their new armored limousine only briefly, but not until approaching the final stretch of the procession - which was only accessible by tickets. The blunt of the trip saw the Bushes tucked securely inside the presidential limo, surrounded by slews of security.

Protesters heavily lined at least one portion of the parade - a stretch in which the president’s motorcade sped up so significantly that surrounding security officers were taking part in a near-sprint to stay side-by-side with the vehicle.

Many demonstrators were displaying their displeasure with Bush’s narrow margin of victory of Vice President Gore late last year. Many held signs saying “Hail to the Thief” or “You’re not my president!”

While there were no official tally of protesters arrested, some news reports said it had reached between six and nine.

The nation’s closest presidential election ever has in some ways divided a country - Florida results were so close that the election wasn’t final until more than a month after polls closed.

“I just think it’s time to put this chapter behind us,” Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus said Saturday morning, before speaking to the state GOP delegation. “It’s time to move to the next chapter.”

Freshman U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Brighton Republican, agreed.

And, he has said Bush’s Cabinet selections are only proof the president is showing definite signs of reaching out to all Americans and being inclusive.

“He has put together the most diverse Cabinet ever,” Rogers, a longtime Bush supporter, said of the posts that include new Energy Secretary and former U.S. Sen. Spence Abraham, of Auburn Hills. “It includes all Americans. I think his spirit is a good thing for the future of the country.”

Many of those who attended Saturday’s swearing-in gala, seemingly from all 50 states, also say they’re ready to follow the leadership of Bush.

“He’s worked really hard for this,” a woman from Louisiana said with a sincere smile.

Others simply nodded in admission when Bush suggested “sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems as if we share a continent, but not a country.”

Nearby, young children danced to patriotic tunes while donning Bush supporter pins.

And some just reveled in an opportunity to witness history - as this was only the 54th American inauguration.

Some MSU students made a three-day trip to the capital, and took in swearing-in festivities and did plenty of sightseeing.

“It’s just great to see a peaceful transfer of power. You know many countries don’t have that,” said Jason Ahrens, chairman of the MSU College Republicans, shortly before eating a late dinner Saturday night.

“And I think Bush’s speech was great,” the food industry management junior said. “He’s playing both sides of the issues, and he’s keeping up his bipartisan approach.”

Jay Compton, vice chairman of the MSU College Republicans and a finance sophomore, said he enjoyed the speech and political festivities, but said he also “had fun just touring this city.”

Aaron Stryker, an 18-year-old senior at Barchment High School in Kalamazoo, Mich., was lucky enough to earn an upclose look at a historic weekend. He was selected as a Presidential Classroom student.

Stryker arrived in Washington on Thursday for a seven-day trip that included a trip to the swearing-in of Bush, and a host of other activities, including the opportunities to participate in friendly mock debates.

While Stryker admits he has no strong ties to politics, he was enjoying his vacation.

“I though the speech was good,” Stryker said of Bush’s address, before refusing to dub himself a Republican or Democrat. “I don’t really lean either way.”

He may not have been ready to establish his political ties yet. But one thing Stryker was sure of was that he wasn’t exactly escaping the chilly weather Michigan has received recently.

Washington was bombarded with rain, snow and frigid temperatures. Thousands of people packed The Mall between the Washington Monument and the Capitol to hear the speech, only to be standing on increasingly muddy turf.

But it didn’t seem to matter, as this capital district was clearly no less patriotic.

Very little seemed to damper the spirit of the nation’s first 21st century inauguration.

Most those attending the speech arrived early - standing in a sea of people-congestion for more than two hours just to get a glimpse of the U.S. Capitol. As for seeing the president take the 35-word oath of office, those in standing-room only sections (most everyone) had no chance without binoculars.

Yet many sported smiles throughout the entire address, despite weather or poor view.

Meanwhile, Bush uttered words seemingly aimed at proving to the country and the large crowd in attendance for his speech that he’s willing to work for all Americans - and not just pick and choose who thrives.

“We have a long way yet to travel, and the ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools and hidden prejudices and circumstances of their birth,” Bush told the crowd.

Just paragraphs later, he boldly insisted that “no insignificant person is ever born.”

Tony Paul can be reached at paulanth@msu.edu.