All ears for 44th president's speech

US president-elect Barack Obama faces the challenge of reassuring Americans they can rebound from a time of economic peril in an inaugural address that is one of the most eagerly anticipated in modern times.

Obama's speech, delivered from the steps of the US Capitol moments after he is sworn into office today, will give him his best opportunity to advance the goals of his White House before a massive audience.

Former presidential speechwriters said they expected Obama to avoid outlining a laundry list of proposals and instead use his lofty oratory to describe the challenges Americans face and a way out of them.