Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
JCCIC Releases Map and Ticket Information for Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremonies
WASHINGTON, DC – The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies today released information about the ticket and access plan for January 20, 2009. The official map of the Capitol Grounds shows the various tickets sections, identifies the colors of the tickets that correspond to each section, and identifies the most convenient Metro Stop for that sections’ entry point.
Tickets for the Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremonies will be released to Members of Congress beginning Monday, January 12, 2009. Each Member’s office is then responsible for distributing their allotment of tickets to their constituents. Members of Congress are no longer taking requests for tickets.
The 240,000 color-coded tickets were printed by the Government Printing Office and contain multiple security features to protect against counterfeiting. Every person attending the Swearing-in Ceremonies on the Capitol Grounds is required to have a ticket, including children (with the exception of infants too young to walk).
Ticketed guests must enter the Capitol Grounds through the entry point designated for their particular section. Because of the large crowds expected to be travelling to the Capitol Grounds and the National Mall, and the numerous street closures and other security measures that will impact travel routes, ticketed guests are advised to make careful plans to ensure they arrive at their designated access point well in advance of the start of the official program. Security screening gates will open at 8:00 AM, music will begin at 9:00 AM, and the formal program begins at 11:30 AM. Guests not through the screening points by 11:30 AM may not be allowed to enter.
Following are important notes for ticketed guests coming to the U.S. Capitol Grounds:
Ticketed guests with tickets in any of the south sections (Orange and Blue) or the Mall Standing Areas (Silver) will enter through gates on the south side of the Capitol Grounds. Due to the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, those guests coming from the north will have to access the south side of the Capitol Grounds in the following ways:
* Metro: Use the Federal Center SW or Capitol South Metro stops, and walk from there (there will be signage, Wayfinders and U.S. Capitol police personnel directing tickets holders to the correct access points) Alternative Metro exits in case of overcrowding include L’Enfant Plaza to the west and Eastern Market to the east;
* On Foot from the East or Northeast: Walk around the east side of the Capitol using 2nd Street NE/SE (or streets further east) to reach C Street SE and walk west from there to the Blue, Orange and Silver gates.
* On foot from the North or Northwest: Use the 3rd Street tunnel, entrance at 3rd and D Streets near the Labor Department, NW to cross under Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall. The tunnel will be closed to through traffic and open for pedestrian use, and this will be the only way to cross Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall near the Capitol.
Ticketed guests in the north sections (Yellow and Purple tickets) will enter on the North side of the Capitol grounds. Guests will also need to follow routes that do not require them to cross Pennsylvania Avenue.
* Metro: Union Station is the best access point for Yellow Ticket Holders; Judiciary Square is the preferred Metro station for Purple ticket holders.
* On foot from the South or Southwest – Use the 3rd Street tunnel to cross under the Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. One side of the tunnel will be closed for pedestrian use, and this is the only way to cross the Mall near the Capitol. Or, walk around the Capitol to the east using 2nd Street SE/NE (or streets further east) to reach the north side of the Capitol Grounds.
Metro riders should be aware that Metro trains may not be able to stop at stations that are deemed to be overcrowded for safety reasons. If this happens, and ticketed persons miss the designated stop for their ticket area, they should get off at the next possible stop and walk back toward their designated station.
Information about how to access the Capitol Grounds and other important information for people with tickets to the Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremonies is available on the website of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, http://www.inaugural.senate.gov. The website also includes an interactive map that allows users to enter their address and find public transportation routes to the Capitol. The map includes markers for all VRE, MARC, and Metrorail train stations operating on Inauguration Day outside the District of Columbia. When a marker is selected (or clicked) an information bubble displays showing the station name, address, type of transportation (metro, VRE, MARC), and two links: one to the station web page and one to the inauguration page setup by either VRE, MARC, or metro. This will help people make decisions about which form of transportation is best to use.
Tickets for the Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremonies will be released to Members of Congress beginning Monday, January 12, 2009. Each Member’s office is then responsible for distributing their allotment of tickets to their constituents. Members of Congress are no longer taking requests for tickets.
The 240,000 color-coded tickets were printed by the Government Printing Office and contain multiple security features to protect against counterfeiting. Every person attending the Swearing-in Ceremonies on the Capitol Grounds is required to have a ticket, including children (with the exception of infants too young to walk).
Ticketed guests must enter the Capitol Grounds through the entry point designated for their particular section. Because of the large crowds expected to be travelling to the Capitol Grounds and the National Mall, and the numerous street closures and other security measures that will impact travel routes, ticketed guests are advised to make careful plans to ensure they arrive at their designated access point well in advance of the start of the official program. Security screening gates will open at 8:00 AM, music will begin at 9:00 AM, and the formal program begins at 11:30 AM. Guests not through the screening points by 11:30 AM may not be allowed to enter.
Following are important notes for ticketed guests coming to the U.S. Capitol Grounds:
Ticketed guests with tickets in any of the south sections (Orange and Blue) or the Mall Standing Areas (Silver) will enter through gates on the south side of the Capitol Grounds. Due to the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, those guests coming from the north will have to access the south side of the Capitol Grounds in the following ways:
* Metro: Use the Federal Center SW or Capitol South Metro stops, and walk from there (there will be signage, Wayfinders and U.S. Capitol police personnel directing tickets holders to the correct access points) Alternative Metro exits in case of overcrowding include L’Enfant Plaza to the west and Eastern Market to the east;
* On Foot from the East or Northeast: Walk around the east side of the Capitol using 2nd Street NE/SE (or streets further east) to reach C Street SE and walk west from there to the Blue, Orange and Silver gates.
* On foot from the North or Northwest: Use the 3rd Street tunnel, entrance at 3rd and D Streets near the Labor Department, NW to cross under Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall. The tunnel will be closed to through traffic and open for pedestrian use, and this will be the only way to cross Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall near the Capitol.
Ticketed guests in the north sections (Yellow and Purple tickets) will enter on the North side of the Capitol grounds. Guests will also need to follow routes that do not require them to cross Pennsylvania Avenue.
* Metro: Union Station is the best access point for Yellow Ticket Holders; Judiciary Square is the preferred Metro station for Purple ticket holders.
* On foot from the South or Southwest – Use the 3rd Street tunnel to cross under the Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. One side of the tunnel will be closed for pedestrian use, and this is the only way to cross the Mall near the Capitol. Or, walk around the Capitol to the east using 2nd Street SE/NE (or streets further east) to reach the north side of the Capitol Grounds.
Metro riders should be aware that Metro trains may not be able to stop at stations that are deemed to be overcrowded for safety reasons. If this happens, and ticketed persons miss the designated stop for their ticket area, they should get off at the next possible stop and walk back toward their designated station.
Information about how to access the Capitol Grounds and other important information for people with tickets to the Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremonies is available on the website of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, http://www.inaugural.senate.gov. The website also includes an interactive map that allows users to enter their address and find public transportation routes to the Capitol. The map includes markers for all VRE, MARC, and Metrorail train stations operating on Inauguration Day outside the District of Columbia. When a marker is selected (or clicked) an information bubble displays showing the station name, address, type of transportation (metro, VRE, MARC), and two links: one to the station web page and one to the inauguration page setup by either VRE, MARC, or metro. This will help people make decisions about which form of transportation is best to use.
Inauguration Day MARC Tickets SOLD OUT
For those folks coming in from the Baltimore MD area, this update is for you..
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is announcing that all MARC Train tickets to the Inauguration are sold out.
Customers are strongly encouraged to use the MTA’s special Commuter Bus service to Metrorail on Inauguration Day. Commuter Bus shuttles will operate between 5:30am and 10:30 am from selected park and ride locations and the DC Metrorail with fifteen-minute intervals.
Return trip service will resume at 4:00pm until 9pm. Reservations are not required and customers can purchase their round trip tickets onboard Inauguration Day. Tickets are $10.00 and customers must have exact change.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is announcing that all MARC Train tickets to the Inauguration are sold out.
Customers are strongly encouraged to use the MTA’s special Commuter Bus service to Metrorail on Inauguration Day. Commuter Bus shuttles will operate between 5:30am and 10:30 am from selected park and ride locations and the DC Metrorail with fifteen-minute intervals.
Return trip service will resume at 4:00pm until 9pm. Reservations are not required and customers can purchase their round trip tickets onboard Inauguration Day. Tickets are $10.00 and customers must have exact change.
The Washington Post's FAQ for the Inauguration
Inauguration Day Timing
Some of this information is preliminary. More detail will be added as it becomes available.
* 4 a.m. -- Metro opens (at rush-hour service and fare levels).
* 5 a.m. -- Monday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends; they can remain open 24 hours through Jan. 21.
* 8 a.m. -- Security gates open for ticketed guests
* 9 a.m. -- Ceremony gates open.
* 10 a.m. -- Musical prelude. See the full schedule.
* Noon -- Ceremony ends, followed by the inaugural address, luncheon, departure of President Bush and parade.
* 7 p.m. -- Rush-hour Metro service levels end.
* 2 a.m. -- Metro closes.
* 5 a.m. -- Tuesday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends.
Open and Closed
Transportation
* Metro's Smithsonian and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter subway stops will be closed Jan. 20
* For bridge and road closures and parking moratoriums, see http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/01/road_restrictions_for_inaugura.html
Facilities
* Tickets required for area of mall immediately west of Capitol (map)
* Multiple closed areas on parade route (map)
* Washington Monument will be closed
* Phillips Collection, Corcoran Gallery, Museum for Women in the Arts, the Library of Congress, Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery and most of the National Gallery will be closed.
* The West Building of the National Gallery and all other Smithsonian museums will be open
* Newseum will be open, but apparently has sold all tickets for the time of the parade.
The Post's Inauguration FAQ
Need to know exactly what to expect during Inauguration Week -- and the big day itself?
Here's your starting point: Inauguration Watch's list of frequently asked questions. (We'll be adding to this document over time as more information becomes known -- many of these items are still developing.)
Of course, you can also e-mail us directly with information or questions -- we'll do our best to help.
Click on the sections below to jump directly to the information you want.
Sections
* Inauguration Day Timing
* Open and Closed
* Prohibited Items
* The Ceremony
* The Parade
* The Balls
* Lodgings and Getting Around
* Dining, Nightlife and Entertainment
* For Washington-Area Residents
* More Resources
Inauguration Day Timing
Some of this information is preliminary. More detail will be added as it becomes available.
* 4 a.m. -- Metro opens (at rush-hour service and fare levels).
* 5 a.m. -- Monday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends; they can remain open 24 hours through Jan. 21.
* 8 a.m. -- Security gates open for ticketed guests
* 9 a.m. -- Ceremony gates open.
* 10 a.m. -- Musical prelude. See the full schedule.
* Noon -- Ceremony ends, followed by the inaugural address, luncheon, departure of President Bush and parade.
* 7 p.m. -- Rush-hour Metro service levels end.
* 2 a.m. -- Metro closes.
* 5 a.m. -- Tuesday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends.
Open and Closed
Transportation
* Metro's Smithsonian and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter subway stops will be closed Jan. 20
* For bridge and road closures and parking moratoriums, see the Get There blog
Facilities
* Tickets required for area of mall immediately west of Capitol (map)
* Multiple closed areas on parade route (map)
* Washington Monument will be closed
* Phillips Collection, Corcoran Gallery, Museum for Women in the Arts, the Library of Congress, Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery and most of the National Gallery will be closed.
* The West Building of the National Gallery and all other Smithsonian museums will be open
* Newseum will be open, but apparently has sold all tickets for the time of the parade.
* Restuarants: For the latest list of open eateries, check the Going Out Gurus blog's inauguration category
Prohibited Items
The Obvious
* No firearms (real or simulated)
* No mace or pepper spray
* No fireworks or other explosives
* No animals other than service animals
* No knives, blades or sharp objects
* No pocket or hand tools such as the “Leatherman”
* Security screeners have the power to prohibit any items that may pose a threat to the security of the event.
On the Mall
* No tents or that includes no camping out
* No glass bottles-
* No alcohol
On the Metro
* No bicycles for the entire inauguration weekend
* No signs or placards more than 18 inches by 18 inches
* No signs or placards affixed to a pole
* No using metro bathrooms -- they will be closed for security purposes
* No parking at Greenbelt, Van Dorn Street or Morgan Boulevard stations
* No plastic or checks for Metro parking -- cash only
Along the Parade Route and at Official Balls
* No bicycles
* No backpacks, large bags, suitcases or duffel bags. Bags smaller than 8 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches are allowed.
* No aerosol cans, which could include silly string
* No coolers
* No thermal or glass containers
* No chairs or strollers
* Signs are allowed, but only if they are no more than 3 feet in length, 20 feet wide or a quarter inch thick. They must be made out of poster board, cardboard or cloth.
* Cameras are allowed; tripods and camera bags are not
* No staking out spots until 7 a.m.
On Capitol Grounds
* Ticketed attendees only
* No strollers
* No laser pointers
* No umbrellas
* No posters
* No food or beverages, but small snacks are allowed
* No thermoses or coolers
* No backpacks, large bags, suitcases or duffel bags
* Walkers and canes will be allowed
The Swearing-In Ceremony
What takes place during the ceremony?
The sitting president and president-elect, as well as the vice president-elect, travel to the Capitol from the White House for the swearing-in ceremony. Weather varies, but it typically is close to the freezing point with a good chance of snow on the ground, according to historical data compiled by the National Weather Service.
The president and vice president elect take the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., after which the new president delivers his inaugural address. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. on the west front of the Capitol, which faces the National Mall. Obama must be sworn in by noon.
The schedule is as follows (read more about inaugural poet Elizabeth Alexander here and the complete biographies of all participants here):
Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band
Musical Selections
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin
Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court The Honorable John Paul Stevens
Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger
• Itzhak Perlman, Violin
• Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
• Gabriela Montero, Piano
• Anthony McGill, Clarinet
Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama
By the Chief Justice of the United States The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Inaugural Address
The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama
Poem
Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
After the address, the new president escorts the outgoing chief executive to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
Do I need a ticket to view the ceremony?
Tickets will be needed for the areas closest to the stage in front of the Capitol. A total of 240,000 have been printed so far; they will be distributed before the inauguration by members of Congress and the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
The likeliest way to obtain a ticket is to contact your local member of Congress, though many legislators have already reported a deluge of requests.
If you can't get a ticket, you can still watch from various free areas on the National Mall. Large television screens are expected to be set up in various spots around the area.
What else takes place on Inauguration Day?
In recent years, the day has started with the president-elect attending a morning worship service, a custom started by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. After the worship service, the president-elect is escorted to the White House by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
President Bush is expected to leave the Capitol right after the swearing-in, and, following a formal departure ceremony, leave Washington from the east front of the Capitol via helicopter.
The new president's day usually concludes with one or more official inaugural balls.
The Parade
What takes place during the parade?
After his luncheon, President Obama will travel to the White House, where he will watch the parade from a reviewing stand.
What is the parade route?
The parade, which takes place after the swearing-in ceremony, will run down Pennsylvania Ave. NW from the Capitol to the White House.
Who else will be in the parade?
Between 10,000 and 12,000 participants from college, high school, and military bands -- as well as drill teams, military honor guards and other groups -- are expected to march with Obama in the parade.
QUESTION: Do I need a ticket to view the ceremony?
ANSWER: Tickets will be needed for the areas closest to the stage in front of the Capitol. A total of 240,000 have been printed so far; they will be distributed before the inauguration by members of Congress and the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
The likeliest way to obtain a ticket is to contact your local member of Congress, though many legislators have already reported a deluge of requests.
If you can't get a ticket, you can still watch from various free areas on the National Mall. Large television screens are expected to be set up in various spots around the area.
QUESTION: Do I need a ticket to view the parade?
ANSWER: Tickets are needed to sit in one of the 8,700 planned bleacher seats, but no ticket is required to watch from the sidewalk. Tickets will sold by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Unused bleacher seats are expected to be made available to the public a few minutes before the parade begins.
Some of this information is preliminary. More detail will be added as it becomes available.
* 4 a.m. -- Metro opens (at rush-hour service and fare levels).
* 5 a.m. -- Monday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends; they can remain open 24 hours through Jan. 21.
* 8 a.m. -- Security gates open for ticketed guests
* 9 a.m. -- Ceremony gates open.
* 10 a.m. -- Musical prelude. See the full schedule.
* Noon -- Ceremony ends, followed by the inaugural address, luncheon, departure of President Bush and parade.
* 7 p.m. -- Rush-hour Metro service levels end.
* 2 a.m. -- Metro closes.
* 5 a.m. -- Tuesday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends.
Open and Closed
Transportation
* Metro's Smithsonian and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter subway stops will be closed Jan. 20
* For bridge and road closures and parking moratoriums, see http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/01/road_restrictions_for_inaugura.html
Facilities
* Tickets required for area of mall immediately west of Capitol (map)
* Multiple closed areas on parade route (map)
* Washington Monument will be closed
* Phillips Collection, Corcoran Gallery, Museum for Women in the Arts, the Library of Congress, Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery and most of the National Gallery will be closed.
* The West Building of the National Gallery and all other Smithsonian museums will be open
* Newseum will be open, but apparently has sold all tickets for the time of the parade.
The Post's Inauguration FAQ
Need to know exactly what to expect during Inauguration Week -- and the big day itself?
Here's your starting point: Inauguration Watch's list of frequently asked questions. (We'll be adding to this document over time as more information becomes known -- many of these items are still developing.)
Of course, you can also e-mail us directly with information or questions -- we'll do our best to help.
Click on the sections below to jump directly to the information you want.
Sections
* Inauguration Day Timing
* Open and Closed
* Prohibited Items
* The Ceremony
* The Parade
* The Balls
* Lodgings and Getting Around
* Dining, Nightlife and Entertainment
* For Washington-Area Residents
* More Resources
Inauguration Day Timing
Some of this information is preliminary. More detail will be added as it becomes available.
* 4 a.m. -- Metro opens (at rush-hour service and fare levels).
* 5 a.m. -- Monday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends; they can remain open 24 hours through Jan. 21.
* 8 a.m. -- Security gates open for ticketed guests
* 9 a.m. -- Ceremony gates open.
* 10 a.m. -- Musical prelude. See the full schedule.
* Noon -- Ceremony ends, followed by the inaugural address, luncheon, departure of President Bush and parade.
* 7 p.m. -- Rush-hour Metro service levels end.
* 2 a.m. -- Metro closes.
* 5 a.m. -- Tuesday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends.
Open and Closed
Transportation
* Metro's Smithsonian and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter subway stops will be closed Jan. 20
* For bridge and road closures and parking moratoriums, see the Get There blog
Facilities
* Tickets required for area of mall immediately west of Capitol (map)
* Multiple closed areas on parade route (map)
* Washington Monument will be closed
* Phillips Collection, Corcoran Gallery, Museum for Women in the Arts, the Library of Congress, Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery and most of the National Gallery will be closed.
* The West Building of the National Gallery and all other Smithsonian museums will be open
* Newseum will be open, but apparently has sold all tickets for the time of the parade.
* Restuarants: For the latest list of open eateries, check the Going Out Gurus blog's inauguration category
Prohibited Items
The Obvious
* No firearms (real or simulated)
* No mace or pepper spray
* No fireworks or other explosives
* No animals other than service animals
* No knives, blades or sharp objects
* No pocket or hand tools such as the “Leatherman”
* Security screeners have the power to prohibit any items that may pose a threat to the security of the event.
On the Mall
* No tents or that includes no camping out
* No glass bottles-
* No alcohol
On the Metro
* No bicycles for the entire inauguration weekend
* No signs or placards more than 18 inches by 18 inches
* No signs or placards affixed to a pole
* No using metro bathrooms -- they will be closed for security purposes
* No parking at Greenbelt, Van Dorn Street or Morgan Boulevard stations
* No plastic or checks for Metro parking -- cash only
Along the Parade Route and at Official Balls
* No bicycles
* No backpacks, large bags, suitcases or duffel bags. Bags smaller than 8 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches are allowed.
* No aerosol cans, which could include silly string
* No coolers
* No thermal or glass containers
* No chairs or strollers
* Signs are allowed, but only if they are no more than 3 feet in length, 20 feet wide or a quarter inch thick. They must be made out of poster board, cardboard or cloth.
* Cameras are allowed; tripods and camera bags are not
* No staking out spots until 7 a.m.
On Capitol Grounds
* Ticketed attendees only
* No strollers
* No laser pointers
* No umbrellas
* No posters
* No food or beverages, but small snacks are allowed
* No thermoses or coolers
* No backpacks, large bags, suitcases or duffel bags
* Walkers and canes will be allowed
The Swearing-In Ceremony
What takes place during the ceremony?
The sitting president and president-elect, as well as the vice president-elect, travel to the Capitol from the White House for the swearing-in ceremony. Weather varies, but it typically is close to the freezing point with a good chance of snow on the ground, according to historical data compiled by the National Weather Service.
The president and vice president elect take the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., after which the new president delivers his inaugural address. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. on the west front of the Capitol, which faces the National Mall. Obama must be sworn in by noon.
The schedule is as follows (read more about inaugural poet Elizabeth Alexander here and the complete biographies of all participants here):
Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band
Musical Selections
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin
Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court The Honorable John Paul Stevens
Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger
• Itzhak Perlman, Violin
• Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
• Gabriela Montero, Piano
• Anthony McGill, Clarinet
Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama
By the Chief Justice of the United States The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Inaugural Address
The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama
Poem
Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
After the address, the new president escorts the outgoing chief executive to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
Do I need a ticket to view the ceremony?
Tickets will be needed for the areas closest to the stage in front of the Capitol. A total of 240,000 have been printed so far; they will be distributed before the inauguration by members of Congress and the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
The likeliest way to obtain a ticket is to contact your local member of Congress, though many legislators have already reported a deluge of requests.
If you can't get a ticket, you can still watch from various free areas on the National Mall. Large television screens are expected to be set up in various spots around the area.
What else takes place on Inauguration Day?
In recent years, the day has started with the president-elect attending a morning worship service, a custom started by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. After the worship service, the president-elect is escorted to the White House by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
President Bush is expected to leave the Capitol right after the swearing-in, and, following a formal departure ceremony, leave Washington from the east front of the Capitol via helicopter.
The new president's day usually concludes with one or more official inaugural balls.
The Parade
What takes place during the parade?
After his luncheon, President Obama will travel to the White House, where he will watch the parade from a reviewing stand.
What is the parade route?
The parade, which takes place after the swearing-in ceremony, will run down Pennsylvania Ave. NW from the Capitol to the White House.
Who else will be in the parade?
Between 10,000 and 12,000 participants from college, high school, and military bands -- as well as drill teams, military honor guards and other groups -- are expected to march with Obama in the parade.
QUESTION: Do I need a ticket to view the ceremony?
ANSWER: Tickets will be needed for the areas closest to the stage in front of the Capitol. A total of 240,000 have been printed so far; they will be distributed before the inauguration by members of Congress and the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
The likeliest way to obtain a ticket is to contact your local member of Congress, though many legislators have already reported a deluge of requests.
If you can't get a ticket, you can still watch from various free areas on the National Mall. Large television screens are expected to be set up in various spots around the area.
QUESTION: Do I need a ticket to view the parade?
ANSWER: Tickets are needed to sit in one of the 8,700 planned bleacher seats, but no ticket is required to watch from the sidewalk. Tickets will sold by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Unused bleacher seats are expected to be made available to the public a few minutes before the parade begins.
The Inauguration of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
The inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, 2009, is expected to be one of the largest public gatherings ever to take place in Washington, D.C. Millions are expected to visit the National Mall and other nearby points to view the ceremony either in person or via telescreens, watch the parade from the U.S. Capitol to the White House, and more. On this 2009 inauguration map, The Post will detail information visitors can use to plan their trips downtown. It will be updated periodically as more information becomes available.
Getting Around on the DC Metro System: Inauguration Tips
http://wmata.com/getting_around/metro_events/inauguration.cfm
Capacity Crowd Will Close Checkpoints Inaugural Parade Route Can Hold About 300,000, Security Official Says
Taken from the "Washington Post"
Security officials will count the number of spectators arriving for the inaugural parade, and when the crowd reaches capacity, they will turn people away. Officials warned that could happen well before the parade begins between 2:30 and 3 p.m.
"Once the sidewalks on the north and south side of Pennsylvania Avenue reach capacity, at that point we will close our checkpoints so no more folks can get onto the parade route," said Malcolm Wiley, a spokesman for the Secret Service.
He declined to say how many people would have to arrive to reach capacity. But according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to comment, capacity is expected to be between 280,000 and 300,000. That number will include only those people standing on the sidewalks; it does not include the 5,000 people who have tickets to sit on bleachers along the parade route. Officials estimate that at least 1.5 million and possibly more than 3 million people will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20.
ad_icon
After the swearing-in ceremony, the sidewalks from Capitol Hill to the White House are expected to be packed along the entire parade route, which goes west on Pennsylvania Avenue from Capitol Hill, north on 15th Street, and west again on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.
"There's just a finite amount of people we can put on the parade route," the security official said. "For safety and fire reasons, we'll have to cut it off."
Officials said police at parade checkpoints will count each of the spectators, who might arrive as early as 7 a.m. to snag a good spot. The Metrorail system will open at 4 a.m.
Separately, two key downtown Metro stations will close early on Inauguration Day for security reasons. Those stations are close to the buildings hosting official balls that Obama is expected to attend. The early closures, on top of two previously announced Metrorail station closings, will make it more difficult for people taking public transit that day, especially if they are planning to ride the subway to attend or work at the balls at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
The Mount Vernon Square/Seventh Street-Convention Center Metrorail station on the Yellow and Green lines will close at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 20. The Judiciary Square Station will close at 4 p.m. The stations are scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. the next day.
The Mount Vernon Square station, at Seventh and M streets NW, is right by the Convention Center, which is hosting six of the 10 official balls that Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. are scheduled to attend.
The Judiciary Square Station, at 450 F St. NW, is across the street from the National Building Museum, which is hosting the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball for active duty and reserve military.
Two other Metrorail stations will be closed all day Jan. 20 for security reasons: Archives-Navy Memorial, at Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, along the parade route, and Smithsonian, which is on the Mall.
Metro is encouraging people to use nearby Metrorail stations, including Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown or Union Station. Those centrally located stations are likely to be so crowded that passengers might have to wait before setting foot in the stations and then wait again on jammed platforms for a train.
The closing of the Mount Vernon Square station will make it difficult for hundreds of people who have to work at the inaugural balls.
"If they're taking Metrorail, they will have to walk longer distances just to get to work," Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said.
Four years ago, the Mount Vernon Square station closed at 3 p.m. and reopened at 1 a.m. But four years ago, there were fewer balls at the Convention Center, fewer people at Mount Vernon and fewer people using the rail system compared with what is expected this year. Judiciary Square closed at 5:30 a.m. and reopened at 1 a.m.
Security officials will count the number of spectators arriving for the inaugural parade, and when the crowd reaches capacity, they will turn people away. Officials warned that could happen well before the parade begins between 2:30 and 3 p.m.
"Once the sidewalks on the north and south side of Pennsylvania Avenue reach capacity, at that point we will close our checkpoints so no more folks can get onto the parade route," said Malcolm Wiley, a spokesman for the Secret Service.
He declined to say how many people would have to arrive to reach capacity. But according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to comment, capacity is expected to be between 280,000 and 300,000. That number will include only those people standing on the sidewalks; it does not include the 5,000 people who have tickets to sit on bleachers along the parade route. Officials estimate that at least 1.5 million and possibly more than 3 million people will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20.
ad_icon
After the swearing-in ceremony, the sidewalks from Capitol Hill to the White House are expected to be packed along the entire parade route, which goes west on Pennsylvania Avenue from Capitol Hill, north on 15th Street, and west again on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.
"There's just a finite amount of people we can put on the parade route," the security official said. "For safety and fire reasons, we'll have to cut it off."
Officials said police at parade checkpoints will count each of the spectators, who might arrive as early as 7 a.m. to snag a good spot. The Metrorail system will open at 4 a.m.
Separately, two key downtown Metro stations will close early on Inauguration Day for security reasons. Those stations are close to the buildings hosting official balls that Obama is expected to attend. The early closures, on top of two previously announced Metrorail station closings, will make it more difficult for people taking public transit that day, especially if they are planning to ride the subway to attend or work at the balls at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
The Mount Vernon Square/Seventh Street-Convention Center Metrorail station on the Yellow and Green lines will close at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 20. The Judiciary Square Station will close at 4 p.m. The stations are scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. the next day.
The Mount Vernon Square station, at Seventh and M streets NW, is right by the Convention Center, which is hosting six of the 10 official balls that Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. are scheduled to attend.
The Judiciary Square Station, at 450 F St. NW, is across the street from the National Building Museum, which is hosting the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball for active duty and reserve military.
Two other Metrorail stations will be closed all day Jan. 20 for security reasons: Archives-Navy Memorial, at Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, along the parade route, and Smithsonian, which is on the Mall.
Metro is encouraging people to use nearby Metrorail stations, including Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown or Union Station. Those centrally located stations are likely to be so crowded that passengers might have to wait before setting foot in the stations and then wait again on jammed platforms for a train.
The closing of the Mount Vernon Square station will make it difficult for hundreds of people who have to work at the inaugural balls.
"If they're taking Metrorail, they will have to walk longer distances just to get to work," Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said.
Four years ago, the Mount Vernon Square station closed at 3 p.m. and reopened at 1 a.m. But four years ago, there were fewer balls at the Convention Center, fewer people at Mount Vernon and fewer people using the rail system compared with what is expected this year. Judiciary Square closed at 5:30 a.m. and reopened at 1 a.m.
Beyonce, Bono, The Boss part of Obama concert on Sunday, Jan 18th 2009 @ the Lincoln Memorial
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce the producers and initial talent lineup for WE ARE ONE: THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, to be presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday, January 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). The event will be free and open to the public, kicking off the most open and accessible Inauguration in history.
The special will be executive produced by George Stevens, Jr. (The Kennedy Center Honors), and produced by Don Mischer (Olympic Ceremonies) who will also direct the special, and Michael Stevens (The American Film Institute Salutes) who is also writing the special, and will be a production of The Stevens Company in association with Don Mischer Productions.
Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.
“Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail,“ observed George Stevens, Jr. “We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today.“
“This is a great opportunity to capture an historic event in a very meaningful setting,“ noted Don Mischer. “We will have the statue of Abraham Lincoln looking down on our stage and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people lining the mall—a tableau any director would relish.“
“We have found that the great artists are eager to take part and each one is working with us to find music that expresses the optimism and hope that people bring to the Obama inauguration,“ said Michael Stevens.
Televised to the nation, the Opening Celebration will be a declaration of common purpose and new beginnings. The Sunday afternoon performance will be grounded in history and brought to life with entertainment that relates to the themes that shaped Barack Obama and which will be the hallmarks of his administration.
HBO will televise the event on an open signal, working with all of its distributors to allow Americans across the country with access to cable, telcos or satellite television to join in the Opening Celebration for free.
The 56th Inauguration promises to be the most inclusive in history, and the Opening Celebration is one of a series of inaugural events that reflect that commitment. On Saturday, the President-elect, Vice President-elect and their families will journey to the nation’s capital via train, holding events that are free and open to the public along the way. They will be joined by a group of everyday Americans they met along their road to the White House. On January 19th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President-elect Obama will call on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. A new website, USAservice.org, makes it easy for Americans to organize service events or find existing events to participate in. To date, nearly 5,000 events have been organized across the country. That evening, Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and their families will host a free “Kids’ Inaugural” concert to honor military families, broadcast live on the Disney Channel and Radio Disney.
This spirit of openness will continue on Inauguration Day, when, for the first time in history, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public for the swearing in ceremony. Local D.C. students have also been given the chance to receive tickets in front of the White House for the Inaugural Parade for themselves and their family members based on the submission of essays answering the question, “How can I contribute to my neighborhood through community service?“
On the evening of Inauguration Day, the first ball that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend will be the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The ball will be broadcast live on ABC and over the Internet, bringing together neighborhoods across the country in the spirit of unity and celebration.
The sum of these public events is an Inauguration that allows more Americans than ever before to come together as one nation and one people, united in our resolve to tackle our greatest common challenges and move this country forward together.
The special will be executive produced by George Stevens, Jr. (The Kennedy Center Honors), and produced by Don Mischer (Olympic Ceremonies) who will also direct the special, and Michael Stevens (The American Film Institute Salutes) who is also writing the special, and will be a production of The Stevens Company in association with Don Mischer Productions.
Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.
“Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail,“ observed George Stevens, Jr. “We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today.“
“This is a great opportunity to capture an historic event in a very meaningful setting,“ noted Don Mischer. “We will have the statue of Abraham Lincoln looking down on our stage and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people lining the mall—a tableau any director would relish.“
“We have found that the great artists are eager to take part and each one is working with us to find music that expresses the optimism and hope that people bring to the Obama inauguration,“ said Michael Stevens.
Televised to the nation, the Opening Celebration will be a declaration of common purpose and new beginnings. The Sunday afternoon performance will be grounded in history and brought to life with entertainment that relates to the themes that shaped Barack Obama and which will be the hallmarks of his administration.
HBO will televise the event on an open signal, working with all of its distributors to allow Americans across the country with access to cable, telcos or satellite television to join in the Opening Celebration for free.
The 56th Inauguration promises to be the most inclusive in history, and the Opening Celebration is one of a series of inaugural events that reflect that commitment. On Saturday, the President-elect, Vice President-elect and their families will journey to the nation’s capital via train, holding events that are free and open to the public along the way. They will be joined by a group of everyday Americans they met along their road to the White House. On January 19th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President-elect Obama will call on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. A new website, USAservice.org, makes it easy for Americans to organize service events or find existing events to participate in. To date, nearly 5,000 events have been organized across the country. That evening, Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and their families will host a free “Kids’ Inaugural” concert to honor military families, broadcast live on the Disney Channel and Radio Disney.
This spirit of openness will continue on Inauguration Day, when, for the first time in history, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public for the swearing in ceremony. Local D.C. students have also been given the chance to receive tickets in front of the White House for the Inaugural Parade for themselves and their family members based on the submission of essays answering the question, “How can I contribute to my neighborhood through community service?“
On the evening of Inauguration Day, the first ball that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend will be the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The ball will be broadcast live on ABC and over the Internet, bringing together neighborhoods across the country in the spirit of unity and celebration.
The sum of these public events is an Inauguration that allows more Americans than ever before to come together as one nation and one people, united in our resolve to tackle our greatest common challenges and move this country forward together.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Obama Speaks on the Economy (@ GMU)
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
OUR ITINERARY FOR THE INAUGURATION (MEET US AT THOSE SPOTS)
Hello All & Welcome Back to the Blog:
It's been a while since I've posted anything, but, for good reason, how can you top the evening Barack Hussein (yea, I said it!) Obama was selected to be our 44th President of the United States..
Well, that day has come, its Inauguration Time.....So, to get things started,
provided below is a itinerary I created to keep everyone involved and a "hotspot" location throughout Washington DC..
So, Welcome to DC!! The Time is Upon Us (only 13 days away)
* The blog will be updated as we move forward to this wonderful day..
**Also, a special should out to my cousin, Kim Baum (she just rec'd a "OFFICIAL" inauguration invitation...So, for those that will be staying with me and Misses, get your pads, ready, because she will be taking the opportunity to provide you her autograph (LOL!)
FRIDAY (1-16) LOCATIONS:
Late Night Happy Hour/"Hotspot" Information..........
-Option #1
11pm-2am
*21 and above after 9pm*
@ Lucky Strike Bowling Alley
701 7th Street NW
Washington DC 20001
(Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Stop)
202.347.1021
Additional Info.....The following are not permitted:
- Athletic wear, sweats or sports jerseys
- MC colors
- Excessively baggy clothing (Tuck-ins are not permitted)
- Sleeveless T-shirts
- Plain white T-shirts (short or long sleeve)
- Construction boots
- Headgear
- Chains
-OR-
Late Night Happy Hour/Hotspot Information...............
-Option #2
11pm-2am
*21 and above after 9pm*
@ Bar Louie
http://www.barlouieamerica.com/washington
701 7th Street NW
Washington DC 20001
(Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Stop)
Telephone Number 202.638.2460
SATURDAY (1-17) LOCATIONS:
Brunch Information................
11:00a-1:30p
(FYI- Brunch goes from 10am-3pm)
@ Front Page
http://www.frontpagerestaurant.com/
1333 New Hampshire Ave NW
(1 Block from Dupont Circle Metro Stop)
Telephone Number 202.296.6500
Late Night Happy Hour/Hotspot Information................
10:00p-2:00a
@ Matchbox DC
http://www.matchboxdc.com/
713 H Street NW, Washington DC 20002
(1 Block from Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Stop)
Telephone Number 202.289.4441
SUNDAY (1-18) LOCATIONS:
The Official “Inauguration Kickoff” Event Information....................
Date of Event Sunday, January 18th, 2008
Time of Event • T.B.A.
@ Lincoln Memorial Monument
Independence Ave SW & 23rd St SW
Washington DC 20001
( Intersection of two streets near the Lincoln Memorial)
Additional Info.......
President-elect Barack Obama will kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington, D.C., with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event will be free and open to the public.
Event: Obama-Soca-Rama Inauguration Day Fete @ De Island Loft
"YES WE CAN, YES WE DID!"
What: Club Party
Host: East Coast Caribbean Events-Caribbean Nationals for Obama
Start Time: Sunday, January 18 at 2:00pm
End Time: Sunday, January 18 at 8:00pm
Where: De Island Loft - DC Farmer's Market District
"Plenty of Free Parking and you can also take the RED line Metro to New York Avenue and walk 2 blocks."
Food provided by the infamous Garage Boyz (DC MudMas) Chef , Captain Black Beard
Menu: Curry Goat and Dumplings, Curry Chicken, Spanish Rice and much more!
Alongside Sheldon the Corn Soup Man
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=43681247303
“The Last Sunday of the Bush Era” Happy Hour/Hotspot Information.............
6:30p-11:00p
@ Lauriol Plaza
http://www.lauriolplaza.com/
1835 18th Street NW, Washington DC 20009
(7-8 Blocks from Dupont Circle Metro Stop)
202.387.0035
MONDAY (1-19) LOCATIONS:
“MLK Had A Dream and We Are Here to See It” Happy Hour/Hotspot Information.........
5:00p-8:00p
@ Ozio Restaurant and Lounge
http://www.oziodc.com/
1813 M Street NW, Washington D.C. 20036
(7-8 Blocks from Dupont Circle Metro Stop)
Telephone Number 202.822.6000
“The Obama Era Begins” Information.........................
Date of Event Tuesday, January 20th, 2008
9:00am-til?
Obama Inauguration
Inauguration Parade
U.S. Capitol & Pennsylvania Ave -Washington DC
Additional Info.....
The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Festivities will commence at 10 a.m. on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:
•Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
•Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
•Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
•Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
•Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
•Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
•President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
•Inaugural Address
•Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
•Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
•The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
After President Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.
The Official Inaugural Schedule.................
The PIC will release further details about official inaugural events at a later date. You can find the latest information at www.pic2009.org
Obama, Bush and ex-presidents have 'historic moment'
President-elect Barack Obama, President Bush and all of the surviving past presidents got together Wednesday for a historic meeting at the White House.
Barack Obama meets with President Bush and past presidents in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Barack Obama meets with President Bush and past presidents in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
"One message that I have, and I think we all share, is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country," Bush told Obama before lunch with the former presidents.
Bush and Obama were joined by Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Obama thanked the president for hosting them and said he was grateful for the opportunity to get "advice, good counsel and fellowship" from the group.
Obama's press secretary said the presidents had a "very constructive conversation" and Obama appreciated "the spirit of bipartisanship they showed" in wishing him success.
"The president and the former presidents had helpful advice on managing the office, as well as thoughts on the critical issues facing the country right now. The president-elect is anxious to stay in touch with all of them in the coming years," Robert Gibbs said.
Presidential historian Doug Brinkley said it's "very smart politics for Obama to keep a channel open" with the former presidents.
"If he has a policy initiative that he wants to lead the country behind ... if he could get the signatures, the green light from all of the ex-presidents to say, 'Not only am I for this, but I have all of the ex-presidents backing me' -- that's powerful," he said.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the last time all of the living presidents got together at the White House was in 1981, and she called Wednesday's meeting a "historic moment."
She said the president was "delighted" to host the luncheon.
"Each of them expressed their desire for President-elect Obama to have a very successful presidency. During the lunch, they had a wide-ranging discussion on many different issues facing the United States, and they all look forward to remaining in contact in the future," Perino said.
The meeting marked the second time Bush has hosted Obama since the election. Obama suggested the meeting with all of the former presidents when he and Bush first met in November.
Perino said earlier she didn't know what they would talk about, but she said she'd love to be able to hear it.
"I'm sure all of us would love to be flies on the wall and listening to that conversation," Perino said during Tuesday's daily news briefing.
Perino speculated that they would discuss what it's like to raise children in the White House and how to protect them.
Brinkley predicted that first and foremost, the presidents would recall what it was like to be president.
"All of them will have little anecdotes. They'll see something in the White House that will bring back a memory. They'll try to bring some levity to this -- make it a very special and engaging and actually a fun afternoon for Barack Obama," he said.
Secondly, Brinkley said, the conversation would probably turn to what's going on in the Middle East.
Brinkley said that all of the men will be on their "best behavior," but, given the personalities at the luncheon, there could be some tension.
"The friction, if there is any, is between Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, who are known to not like each other at all," he said, pointing out that the Clinton team did not like Carter "parachuting for peace into Bosnia, North Korea and Haiti" during Clinton's administration.
"That's the relationship that is not warm, it's not good, and if you are a body language expert, you might home in on that," he said.
President Bush may find himself the odd man out at the meeting, at least in terms of popularity.
Bush registered only a 27 percent approval rating in a December CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey.
advertisement
In contrast, Obama had an 82 percent approval rating.
A new poll out Wednesday indicates that 69 percent of adult Americans approved of how Clinton handled his job as president, while 64 percent of adult Americans gave a thumbs up to Carter and 60 percent approved of George H.W. Bush.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
