Crowds Greet Obama At White House

WASHINGTON DC (WUSA) -- They lined the streets leading to the White House to watch the motorcade carrying President Elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle this afternoon.

The crowds on the southside got a glimpse as the heavily guarded vehicles entered the compound, where they were greeted by the President and Laura Bush.

The few hundred that gathered on the north side, on the Pennsylvania avenue sidewalk, had to settle for a peak through the fence at the spacious White House lawn, hoping the four would emerge eventually for a photo session.

That also happened on the southside. Among the onlookers was a mother and son from Silver Spring. She was hoping Obama listens to his security team and doesn't take unnecessary risks. Her son would settle just to see the next President.

A young couple from North Carolina was there with their two children. The family skipped school and drove to DC for the day, just to witness history.

Others said expectations were high for the new President; yet they realized the problems were great. The economy and two wars should be President elect Obama's first two priorities they said.