Did the inaugural address live up to expectations?

Barack Obama faced a challenge to deliver an inaugural address befitting the historic occasion of his election as the nation's first African-American president.

His skill as a public speaker alone did much to elevate expectations. Many thought his speech would rank right up there with other great presidential speeches from the past.

That would be nearly impossible, but that’s not Obama’s fault. When so many people expect so much it is nearly impossible to live up to the unrealistic expectations.

At least he didn’t speak for over two hours using over 8,000 words as did William Henry Harrison in 1841 nor did he only use 135 words as George Washington did in his second inaugural address.

Presidents often try for immortal words but only a few succeed. Jefferson's first inaugural speech declared, "We are all republicans, we are all federalists." Lincoln's second contained the unforgettable words "With malice toward none, with charity for all ..."

What will stand out in Obama’s inaugural address?