0 not just in the eyes of god, but also in our own. >> that is an american value. the speech focused on a range of american experiences with particular attention to the peoples whose really lives are so very different from those in the top 2% of this country. this is a president who understands clearly that he represents all americans. the connection that he has made with the american people was obvious by the way the president was received by this massive crowd here in washington today. you did not need to look very hard to find enthusiasm in the streets of d.c. these masses, these wage earners, these americans are the people the president of the united states represents. >> we do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky or happiness for the few. we recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job loss or a sudden illness or a home swept away in a terrible storm. >> the president's commitment to the middle class was a benchmark of his presidential campaign. he has not abandoned these principles. in fact, he insisted on strengthening obligations to those who need help the most. >> we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prestigious, not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes -- tolerance and opportunity, human dignity and justice. >> and clearly president obama did not ignore a policy agenda in his speech. he also took on the position to these policies. the president spoke at length about the threat of climate change and the desire and the dire consequences of doing something about it. >> we will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. >> he didn't stop there. the president went after the climate change deniers, daring them to stop progress at this point in time in history. >> some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms. the path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult, but america cannot resist this transition. we must lead it. we cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries. we must claim its promise. >> this is not a president who is blind to the history of any given moment. today's inauguration ceremony was filled with moments of historical importance. myrlie evers williams, the widow of medgar evers became the first woman to deliver the inaugural prayer. poet richard blanco is the first latino to recite the inaugural poem, as well as the first openly gay american to perform the honor. supreme court justice sonia sotomayor became the first hispanic american to administer the oath of office when she swore in vice president joe biden. president obama spoke with these historical moments in mind during his speech. >> our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see america as a land of opportunity. >> in many ways, this speech was progressives. this is what we have been waiting for to hear for four years. the president is older now, and certainly wiser to the position about how washington works. but at least for today he will not let trivial politics derail the progressive course that this country is on. president obama looked out to the crowd on the national mall today and saw the full scope of america, young and old, rich and poor, black, white, hispanic, asian. he recognized the moment. he captured it. the mission he is charged with today is perhaps greater than his mission of four years ago. in 2009, he was of course there to lead us out of this economic tragedy that we were living in. in 2013, he needs to lead this country and make it the country that we all want to achieve. >> you and i as citizens had the power to set this country's course. you and i as citizens have the obligation to shape the debates of our time, not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals. let us each of us now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright. with common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future the precious light of freedom. thank you, god bless you, and may he forever bless these united states of america. >> we are the people, but it will take leadership to guide us to the more perfect union we desire. president obama today accepted the charge for four more years. get your cell phones out. i want to know what you think tonight. tonight's question, will the president's goals be achieved in his second term in office? text a for yes. text b for no, to 622639. you can always go to our blog at msnbc.com. we'll bring you the results later on in the show. joining me is congressman keith ellison of minnesota, who is part of the congressional progressive caucus. congressman, good to have you with us tonight. >> always great to be here, ed. >> we are made for this moment. what does that mean? >> it means that we're up to the task at hand. and what is the task at hand? to meet the challenge of income and equality. i mean, the president specifically mentioned social security, medicare and medicaid, and then tied them all three to income equality and the need to face this challenge that, you know, some of us are doing really, really well, and most of us are struggling to get by. >> i'm saying it was a very progressive speech. >> yeah. >> your thoughts. you believe it was? did you expect that? >> as the coach here of the progressive caucus, it is my considered opinion that this was a progressive speech. it was a speech that any progressive could say that's what i'm talking about. i found myself spontaneously cheering in the middle of the speech. it was the kind of speech that made me feel really good, because he combined our common humanity, combined our need for economic, combined the better days are coming if we will step up to them and meet them. >> the republicans are complaining, saying he didn't reach out enough. what is your reaction to that? >> who are they talking about? this was an incredibly inclusive speech. you know, you had -- you had him talking to gay america, you had him talking to new americans, you had him talking to americans of a diverse economic backgrounds. even if you are a fortunate enough to be a rich person and no problem with that, you could feel good about this speech because it meant that this is the land of opportunity, and how can you climb up that ladder and then pull it up after you. i don't know what they meant. if they think that he is going to somehow start catering to the koch brothers agenda, they're just wrong. >> are we going to see a different republican agenda? i mean, it was four years of we're against everything. i mean, are we going to see that again, or do you see any movement at all from the conservatives that they're willing to work with this president? now that he has won two elections, and clearly the last one? >> you know, i hope so. we talk off camera -- >> you don't sound confident. >> well, here is the thing there are a lot of good folks in the republican caucus. i want to say that. and i mean that. but once they start voting, will they vote their conscience or will they vote what the tea party extremists demand. and that is the question. that's a question they have to answer. now some of their leaders said we're going to give -- we're going to take him out. our key agenda is to take out obama and make him a one-term president. they failed. i hope enough republicans are out there to do what is right now. >> congressman, four years ago tonight, there were a group of republicans that met at a restaurant. >> yes, there was. >> that set the course of obstruction. and they said we're going to say no to everything. what kind of dinner are they going to have tonight? >> is crow on the menu? >> i said that earlier today in our broadcast. they should probably be serving that today. but the point is, look what they have to show for it. they didn't do anything in the senate, okay. they wanted to defeat president obama. it didn't happen. you picked up seats in the house. >> sure did. >> the momentum, the polls are with the democrats on every major issue. would they dare obstruct the way they did in 112th? >> oh, yeah. but i think it's important to know if you just left the republicans and the democrats in a room, we could probably come out with some solutions. they articulate their values. we would fight for ours too. but you have these puppet masters out there like grover norquist, like the koch brothers. and the question is will the republicans cut those strings and do what is right for the american people. will they say we're in here to help -- to promote the common welfare. >> we're going to talk more about this later on in this broadcast. but i want your take on this. what can be done on immigration reform? tell me where the republicans are going to move on this issue. >> well, i tell you. they -- i think we're going to move forward, because i know people like luis gutierrez and others are absolutely committed. he tells me that they're working as they can in a cooperative way. but, you know, he is hopeful. and if he is hopeful, i'm hopeful. >> historical importance of today's speech in your opinion. >> it is a speech for the ages. i really believe that. it was inspiring. it was informative. it set a bold vision. and in my view, it is going to set a template for the next four years. >> what about the progressive caucus? are you going to hold the president's feet to the fire? >> absolutely. >> he is not up for reelection now. what are your expectations? >> the progressive caucus's role is not to be a cheerleader, nor to be an opponent of the president. it is to uphold progressive values no matter what the weather may be. and if he is doing good, we're going to back him. if he is deviating, we're going to call him, just like we said hey, man, knock off that chained cpi talk. but now today we're heaping about what he is saying about supporting the big three. it's not our job to cheerlead, be it is our job to hold him to the values. and today he lived up to our expectations. >> all right. congressman keith ellison, great to have you with us tonight. >> any time. >> thanks for coming in. remember, answer tonight's question at the bottom of the screen. share your thoughts on twitter and facebook. we want to know what you think. republicans say the president didn't do enough to reach out them today. we'll talk about the big three and bipartisanship when we come back. you're looking at live pictures of the salute to heroes ball, where the vice president is expected to speak shortly. and we're awaiting the president's arrival at the commander in chief's ball. he is expected to speak within the hour, and we'll bring those to you live here on "the ed show" on msnbc. stay with us. we're coming right back.