Attorney General Chris Koster was sworn in first this morning, leading off a series of swearing-ins in front of the state Capitol.

Second was new Treasurer Clint Zweifel, followed by Secretary Robin Carnahan. Then Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, the only Republican to be sworn in today.

State Supreme Court Justice Laura Denvir Smith did the swearing-in honors for new Gov. Jay Nixon. (Trivia question: What’s Nixon’s middle name? “Wilson.” Heard it first during the swearing in.)

Nixon actually was sworn in a few minutes early, because the other proceedings took less time than anticipated. (Senate President Pro Tem Charles Shields “blamed” the shorter-than-expected invocation by the Rev. Ron Webb, pastor of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse in Poplar Bluff.)

The Army Band was called on to play an extra number to kill time before Nixon’s swearing in. But when a few droplets offered the threat of a downpour (which did NOT happen), the decision was made to get on with it — and Nixon, et al, approached the lectern.

The crowd was estimated by me to be less than 5,000 (there were 4,000 reserved seats, and they were filled after Shields announced right before proceedings began than they were “released” and anyone could sit in them. That’s standard protocol.).

Larger crowds were on hand in 2005 and 2001, unless my memory is WAAY off (possible).

One could blame the weather, but it was drier than 2005 (also cloudy, and had rained the night before, leaving some parts muddy) and in 2001 (a snow storm earlier had blanketed the Capitol crowds, and this reporter remembers it being MUCH colder in 2001 than today.)

Don’t remember much from 1997, but 1993 was BITTER cold. (The parade route was longer then, and I remember then-Gov.-elect Mel Carnahan walking at least some of the route.)

This time, Nixon and his wife rode a red convertible (saw an exuberant Nixon pump his fist with a smile, as the car passed some onlookers.)

Kinder, Koster, Zweifel and Shields walked the parade route. State Auditor Susan Montee (whose term isn’t up for 2 years) rode atop a yellow convertible, while Carnahan and her husband traveled on the back of a blue one. House Speaker Ron Richards and his wife rode seated in the back seat of their convertible.

A Koster aide was tossing candy to children during the parade.)

Today’s dignitaries on hand for the swearing in included:

Former Govs. Roger Wilson (D), Bob Holden, (D) and John Ashcroft (R).

Former state First Ladies Betty Hearnes and Jean Carnahan also were introduced.

U.S. Sens. Christopher S. Bond and Claire McCaskill.
(The latter was spotted talking briefly with Robin Carnahan before the swearing-ins began. Wonder what the state’s two most prominent Democratic women said to each other, especially since Bond is retiring in 2010? “It’s a great job, Robin. Go for it,” is one guess.)

Before the closing, Shields observed to the crowd that the event signaled “a really good sign — ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Rabbi Susan Talve of St. Louis’ Central Reformed Congregation gave the benediction and drew a chuckle when she began: “I’ll try not to put us back on schedule.”