Big inauguration comes with a big price tag
President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration likely to shatter attendance records

Officials taking steps to accommodate up to 2.5 million people expected



From Rachel Streitfeld
CNN.com

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- When President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office next month, the nation's capital will be the site of a massive celebration. But local officials are worried they might get stuck with the check.


Members of the media inspect an inauguration planning map at the DC Armory in Washington on Thursday.

Even for a city used to big crowds, Obama's inauguration promises to shatter records for attendance. City officials predict up to 2.5 million people will converge on the capital January 20, and they are taking unprecedented steps to accommodate the masses.

Plans are in the works to open up the National Mall, extend hours for public transportation and -- perhaps most daunting -- provide parking for the influx of revelers.

"Even though we're very practiced at inaugurations and large events, this is one that will rewrite the book on inaugurations," said Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-Washington, D.C., who has requested an additional $15 million from Congress to help the city cover costs. That would double the $15 million Congress has already allocated to pay for all national events and demonstrations in Washington during 2009.

Mayor Adrian Fenty agreed that costs for increased security and crowd control would dwarf the original allocation. And for a city facing a budget shortfall and the same economic downturn affecting the rest of the country, now is not the time to rack up debt, Fenty told CNN.

"We are in talks with the federal government as we sit here today to let them know -- I think they already know that that's not enough," he said, referring to the initial $15 million allocation. "Now the question is if you want to make sure that you cross every 't' and dot every 'i,' it does look like it's going to be significantly more than that."

Fenty predicted costs for the city would near $50 million, the same amount Congress provided to both Denver, Colorado, and St. Paul, Minnesota, to host the Republican and Democratic conventions earlier this year.

Record-breaking numbers of people, he said, mean more services: "More buses, more federal cooperation, more emergency medical service workers, more police officers needed, more hotel rooms needed, more streets that are going to have to be closed, more water in case it's hot and more places to stay if it gets particularly cold and people need some type of hypothermia relief."

And relief of another kind will be provided. The Washington Post reported Friday that Emmett Beliveau, executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said there would be 5,000 temporary toilets available on the Mall and along the parade route.

Also, the city will double its 4,100-member police force by calling in officers from other districts and is working with local transportation officials on how to move people downtown to watch the festivities.

It's not all bad news. With the crowds comes an uptick in tourism, city officials said. Bars will be open until 4 a.m. to accommodate revelers, and hotels in the area are selling at two or three times the normal rates. Washington residents are embracing the news by flooding the Craigslist Web site with offers to rent their homes and apartments to out-of-towners.

"There'll be plenty of people coming, using our grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels; spending money, enjoying themselves," Fenty said. "And when they see how great a city this is, if they didn't already know, they certainly will return."

Inaugural planners say interest in the inaugural celebrations has been enthusiastic and nonstop. Inaugural Committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass said 35,000 people have already registered to volunteer.

"We know there's a lot of energy here, and we want to do everything we can to accommodate that," Douglass said. "We've been told there is going to be a very big crowd coming, and we are working with the city and the federal officials to do everything we can to make sure they can get here, that they'll be safe, that they'll be comfortable and that they'll be able to participate in some way."

For all the tourists who do turn out, Fenty said no matter what the cost, the city will work to charm its visitors.

"We want everyone to have a great time," Fenty said. "We want everybody to enjoy the nation's capital, and come bring your friends, bring your family and then hopefully just be a part of history."



This is a crock of shit with times as hard as they are..Total waste of money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree its a waste of money and time. I found this statement particularly interesting "Bars will be open until 4 a.m. to accommodate revelers". Its nice to know they are looking out for the party people too. I mean, if they are going to throw a party, lets do it right, right? Never mind the country is in debt up to its ears, lets throw a party and spend more millions of dollars and celebrate it!!!!

Just more typical fuzzy feel good sensations us Americans so desperately seek.

we spend tax dollars on hundreds of things from crowd controll extra ppl to things i cant imagine, and washington dc, business will make tons off of the lets call it a giant convention comes to town. like it said hotels , resterants , movies, etc, will reap the benefits and thats ok , its just the heavy lifting for all this is done by the tax payer, and some kid in college will have to shell out later for a new history book, well i finally got coldre here , im glad it has been like in the low 70s, its been cloudy and wet for 2 weeks, i hope it stays dry, but i dont think its going to, and its not real cold just not as balmy as it has been , take care,

it has always been a biggy,president inauguration
Clinton was 33million,Bush 29. million for the second term, the first term close to that~or more.. I think it is ridiculous that much money spent, it has always been like that
checking back it has always been a big hullabaloo!

I didn't vote for Buckwheat , why should my tax dollars pay for his 50 mil party. Of course there will be plenty of bling, should we expect anything else you know how flashy (they) like to be ..baaaaa humbug

hah,, my vote didn't pay for Bush, and some others

I do agree it is not a good thing

for taxes to pay

this inauguration,as all are,it is BS..
but it is a celebration!! ye haw!!

Who brought on these hard times, fill us in

Who the hell do you think brought on these hard times greedy uncontrolled politicians , auto executives with lavish life styles, banks with CEO's who don't have enough common sence to poor piss out of a boot, and every American who hasn't voiced a concern loudly, you know the arm chair quarterbacks who sit back with the shoulda, coulda, woulda attitude. Sounds great in a forum but what about voicing concerns to congressmen, senators and representatives. Damn if I will be quiet about the whole friggin mess.
You can stop singing the blues about Bush he has less than 30 days , start warming up to eat crow about Buckwheat, he is already doing the crawfish walk and he isn't even in office yet..

SSC wrote:I didn't vote for Buckwheat , why should my tax dollars pay for his 50 mil party. Of course there will be plenty of bling, should we expect anything else you know how flashy (they) like to be ..baaaaa humbug

because u r american as I am

Being an American has nothing to do with wasted money, the very thought of 50 million dollars being spent allocated by congress to pay for this gala event it total bullshit. If they want to spend my money ask me first. Explain this to the homeless or the ones who have just lost their jobs , or the children who believe in Santa and the tree if there is one will be empty. This is just another shameful waste of money.Great way for Buckwheat to start out.

like I said I agree it is all BS ,and I for one agree, And voice , it has been happening with all presidents sworn in, for a long while ,I don't think it is the president elects throwing this shin dig~ as far as Obama goes we will just have to wait,and see~

http://www.clickondetroit.com/president-obama/17886503/detail.html#-




Inauguration Day Traditions Started In 1789
What To Expect On Jan. 20, 2009

UPDATED: 12:15 am EST November 5, 2008
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Those who voted on Nov. 4, 2008, will undoubtedly look forward to Jan. 20, 2009, the day on which the United States' new president-elect will be sworn into office on the 56th quadrennial Inauguration Day.

Many U.S. citizens are familiar with the words, "I do solemnly swear..." which start the oath of office, but few are familiar with the traditions behind them.

The oath of office was first taken by George Washington on April 30, 1789, in New York City. Prior to the enactment of the 20th Amendment, which made Jan. 20 the official date for Inauguration Day, state officials had a full four months to name the president. The oath is found in the U.S. Constitution. It reads: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Washington took the oath once more in 1793, but that time it was in Philadelphia. It wasn't until 1801, when Thomas Jefferson first took the oath of office, that Washington, D.C., became the traditional location of the presidential inauguration.

Of course, Inauguration Day has many procedural traditions. After Washington was inaugurated in Philadelphia, he delivered what has become known as the shortest inaugural address in U.S. history. At 135 words, Washington's address greatly contrasts that of William H. Harrison, who notoriously delivered his 8,445-word speech during a frigid rainstorm in 1841 and subsequently died of pneumonia.

Washington was also the first president to attend a church service prior being sworn in. However, this practice wouldn't have been considered a tradition had it not been for Franklin D. Roosevelt. Because Roosevelt was sworn into office four consecutive times (1933-1945), his Inauguration Day routine set an example for future presidents.

Other Inauguration Day traditions include the procession to the Capitol, the vice president's swearing-in ceremony, an inaugural luncheon, an inaugural parade and the inaugural ball.

The procession to the Capitol has been a tradition since 1837, when Andrew Jackson traveled with Martin Van Buren in a carriage partially constructed of wood from the U.S.S. Constitution. 1921 marked the year in which the first automobile was used to transport the president-elect, Warren Harding. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson preferred to ride in a bulletproof limousine -- in great contrast to Jimmy Carter, who walked more than a mile to the Capitol with his wife and daughter in 1977.

The vice president's swearing-in ceremony, prior to the president-elect reciting it, is a procession that has changed substantially since its introduction in 1789. Of all the changes, the most significant was the revision of the oath of office in 1884. Since then, the vice president -- as well as senators, state representatives and other government officers -- recites: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

The inaugural luncheon is a tradition that began with the Senate Committee on Arrangements hosting lunch for a sworn-in William McKinley in 1901. Since then, it's been a common practice for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to host the meal.

The inaugural parade is a tradition that reveres the president's role as commander-in-chief. Beginning with George Washington first being unwittingly escorted by various servicemen on his journey to New York in 1789, the inaugural parade has grown to be one of the most celebrated spectacles in politics. It is currently managed by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. Its participants are chosen by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to perform in marching bands, horse-mounted formations and other patriotic displays.

Although the first inaugural ball was held in Washington's name, it wasn't until James Madison's inauguration in 1809 that it became a custom. The inaugural ball is open to the public, who must buy tickets. In 1953, the demand for tickets was so great that organizers added a second event, which eventually resulted in numerous inaugural balls being hosted. Since then, the demand has remained steadily high.

Next year's Inauguration Day will proceed much like it has since 1953: morning church service followed by the procession to the Capitol; the swearing-in of both the vice president-elect and president-elect; the inaugural address; the luncheon; the parade; and, finally, the inaugural balls.

You know what Gypsy, have you ever heard the phrase "the buck stops here"..well I don't care about tradition, past presidents or protocol, what I care about is a gigantic waste of money in a time when the country is struggling to stay afloat. The services this wasted money could have helped are endless. What would have been wrong with a quiet swearing in ceremony, and channeled the money to the agencies helping the homeless. What makes Buckwheat special, not a damn thing, but he is high maintance and obviously getting good at wasting money already.

SSC I said I agree,but I don't think the president elect has anything to do with this.. I think it is a shame, that much money spent,as with lots of things government does~like the bail outs, but I guess it is necessary , prevention would have been better.. hopefully they have learned? I doubt it but maybe so. I do hope Obama will stop the buck ..as I said we will just have to wait and see, I don't think in four years he can fix it all

after all this took many years of failure to cause this mess~

Many years indeed at least 50 or more, but you can't tell me if Buckwheat said NO to a big fancy party that the whole thing wouldn't have been changed. One simple sensible decision to stop the wasted money, but obviously this is not going to happen. Bring on the bling...

I am not being a wise A!!, but if McCain had won would you feel the same way?

How great would it have been if president elect said "No" to having a party and 'Yes" to taking that money and sending it to the homeless? It would have sent a message to the world that we are serious about our debt problems and overall problems as a nation. It would clearly say to the world we are going to fix our finances and take care of our own. But instead of that noble act, they would rather throw a party and spend even more money. Its a crock of shit, and its been going on now forever, so I don't expect that to change just like I don't expect our problems to go away with our new president Obama. To answer Gypsys earlier question on another topic awhile back about how long will take to fix our problems, my answer is I don't foresee any changes in the future, none that will affect your life or mine. No one person or "President" has the power to turn it all around becuase the issues are too diverse and complex that take too many people to agree on the issues to pass, it just will not happen. No one person has enough power to do it, it would take a dictatorship government run by 1 person to do the things we want done, and we don't have or want that kind of government, that's the kind Hitler ran. So I say nothing will change, its too late we put too many people in charge and they can't agree on anything.

Thats my take on our government in a nutshell.

gypsy wrote:I am not being a wise A!!, but if McCain had won would you feel the same way?

Yes Gypsy I would feel the same way, wasted money whether is be abused by Dems Or Repubs is still wasted money, and could have been spent in much better ways.

I agree Tyler, that would have been a great thing~and Generous for president elect to do..it is a shame it isn't being done.yes it would be hard for any president to correct what is going now`I hope i live long enough to see that happen`


Yes SSC I believe the way you do ,about this,some one needs to make the first step, or the Buck stops here, as you quoted..

well this is not about the inaugurations ,, but i can say neither one of my senators have voted for any of the bailouts. i personally think some was needed, and the auto ppls loan will not last long and if they dont get many things changed fast gm and Chrysler, especially, the money only keeps them afloat till like march, and if they don't do a deal with the unions benefits i dont think congress will keep giving them money. but we don't know this will be a more liberal congress that took alots of bucks from the unions, there might be a delima. they might have to reorganize under bankrupsy like some of the airlines did. some say its a north vs south thing, since the south has many car manufactures now, there sales are down to, but not in trouble, i think the pay per hour is close to the same , but its the benefits that is the problem. as for the inauguration, well everything in washington just gets bigger and more expensive, it seems to have no end....take care,