By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
A number of Rowan County Democrats gathered at Taste Buds, a downtown Salisbury coffee shop, to watch Tuesday’s presidential inauguration.
“It was standing room only, it was wonderful,” said Arba Knapp, who owns the establishment along with her husband, Kirk.
By about 1 p.m., as the masses in Washington, D.C., awaited the presidential parade that followed the swearing in, Knapp turned to a television mounted on a wall there in her place of business.
“I’m 56,” she said, “I’ve waited a long time for this.”
Knapp apparently wasn’t the only one.
Also watching the proceedings in Taste Buds was Kathy Lufkin, a Rowan County Democrat who served as a volunteer last fall for Barack Obama’s campaign.
On Tuesday, Lufkin wore two buttons pinned to her coat. One of the buttons included a picture of Obama and a single word: “Hope.”
The other button also included Obama’s picture as well as the words: “Vote Nov. 4th.” Around the perimeter of that second button were the words: “Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.”
Lufkin said she was giddy as she watched Tuesday’s swearing-in.
“I’m not black, but I feel almost liberated ó liberated from Bush,” she said.
Then Lufkin laughed excitedly.
“I was overwhelmed,” she said, referring to her emotions as she watched the oath of office. “I had to hold back tears of joy.”
Lufkin said it wasn’t just Americans who celebrated Tuesday. She said she’d read of parties in France, Italy and across much of the rest of the world as people rejoiced.
“I don’t know if other Americans felt the relief and joy I felt, but it was tremendous,” Lufkin said. “I feel as though I’ve been held hostage by Bush. I’ve experienced freedom at last.”
She admitted concern, however, noting that expectations for Obama might be too grand. Lufkin said foreigners are expecting Obama to remedy not only the U.S. economy but the world economy, as well.
“But you know what?” Lufkin said. “I think he can do it.”