With thousands of supporters looking on, Bush stood in front of the red-and-white awnings of Florida's Old Capitol and raised his right hand as state Supreme Court Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead administered the oath of office. It was the first time in Florida history that a Republican governor has been inaugurated for a second term.

Bush enters his second term as the most powerful Florida governor ever. He will work with a Republican-controlled Legislature and will head a Cabinet devoid of Democrats.

The state Board of Education, whose members Bush appointed, will carry out the governor's sweeping educational reforms. And Bush is slowly remaking the judiciary in a more conservative mold, using powers the Legislature granted the governor to control appointments to judicial nominating commissions.

Bush made it clear he will use his consolidated power to further reduce government and diminish the barriers between church and state. He harkened back to his inaugural message four years earlier, when he told supporters ``government is not the answer'' to family disintegration and other social ills.

``In the past, our response has been to raise more taxes, grow more government and embrace the thin fiction that if only we can hire one more social worker or complete one more form, then we can somehow reverse these corrosive trends and salvage lives,'' he said.

3-Day Celebration

The swearing-in ceremony was the highlight of a three- day inaugural celebration that started in Miami with a barbecue, then moved to Tallahassee for a blue-jeans-and-bow- ties gala Monday night and a Tuesday morning prayer breakfast at Florida A&M University. The festivities wound up with a street carnival and open house at the Governor's Mansion.

At the prayer breakfast, more than 1,000 early risers, bundled up in hats, overcoats and mufflers, were treated to music from the FAMU band and choir and the gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama.

As the low-hanging winter sun slowly warmed the capital, crowds filled seats facing an 8- foot-high platform extending from the Old Capitol steps. Bands played, choirs sang, cannons roared, and F-15 fighter jets swept overhead during the 90-minute ceremony.

There may have been no safer square mile in the state. Law enforcement helicopters circled the city most of the day. Tallahassee police parked RV- like vehicles across the road in front of the Old Capitol. Officers could be seen atop the 22- story Capitol and the adjoining five-story House and Senate office buildings.

Just as he did on election night, Bush on Tuesday first thanked God for giving him the opportunity to be governor. He returned to religious themes throughout the inaugural speech, along with calls for Floridians to build strong families and to sacrifice for their communities.

These ideas resonated with many in the audience.

``I think he represents a lot of the values that I believe in, that our nation was built on,'' said Kathy Lischer, a schoolteacher from Clearwater. ``I think he's a God-fearing man who's not afraid to stand up for God.''

Kathy Starnes of Plant City agreed, calling the speech inspirational.

``He stressed God and family, and I need to hear more of that,'' she said.

`Very moving'

Bush's recommitment to family was symbolized by the public reappearance of Noelle, his 25-year-old daughter who has struggled with drug problems. She was ordered into treatment last year for trying to obtain drugs with a fraudulent prescription.

During the past year, Bush has acknowledged his decision to become governor brought stress to his family.

``Although it is an intensely private, and at times painful, matter, you should know I have rededicated myself to being a better father and husband,'' Bush said in his address.

First lady Columba Bush and the Bush children - George P., Noelle and Jeb Jr. - stood behind the governor as he swore to defend the state's constitution. Seated nearby were the governor's father and mother, former President Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush.

``Looking today at the faces of my wife and children, all three of them, I realize that any sense of fulfillment I have from this event is meaningless unless they too can find fulfillment in their lives.''

Bush wept as gospel singer and family friend Michael W. Smith sang ``Above All,'' a song about the pressures of leadership.

Bush's airing of his family difficulties may become the most-remembered part of the speech.

``The focus on family, in light of his daughter's problems, I thought that was touching,'' said Joe Sanchez, a Miami resident. ``Sometimes that's the price you pay when you devote all your efforts to government.''

Democratic legislative leaders held a news conference after the inauguration to mildly rebut Bush's address. Sen. Walter ``Skip'' Campbell, D- Fort Lauderdale, said Bush's willingness to continue to blame big government for state problems shows the governor hasn't learned the lessons of Rilya Wilson, the child who disappeared while under care of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

``We all must remember and never forget children like Rilya Wilson, who is missing today and presumed dead because of a system that is understaffed and over-burdened,'' Campbell said.

The lead singer of the rock group Blues Traveler, John Popper, turned political analyst after performing the national anthem on harmonica. Popper, a Republican, said the inauguration forever quashed Democrats' hopes of riding anti-President Bush anger to power in Tallahassee.

``Today sort of marked the end of the 2000 election,'' he said.

Reporters Mike Salinero and Joe Follick can be reached at (850) 222-8382.