# Anyone else going to President Obama's Inauguration? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 5, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317 "2008-11-05T18:23:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/21 "2008-11-06T19:00:36Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > šŸ˜ƒ > > Weā€™re staying with family of friends, so lodging wonā€™t be a problem. We havenā€™t even started looking into flights yet, but Iā€™m thinking about Saturday through Wednesday (if the people will put us up for that long). I hope thereā€™ll be flights even _available_! > > Iā€™m pretty sure you donā€™t have to have tickets to stand on the mall (or wherever they pack people in there), but Iā€™m trying to work my connections to get closer to the actual event. Wish me luck! There are flights available, but they are disappearing, and they arenā€™t super-cheap, either. Not even Southwest has great options at this point, and I may have to reluctantly bail on the idea of a non-stop flight completely. Nevertheless, weā€™re going to make this happen! We have friends in Southern Maryland who are really great people and would probably open their home to us, but there are allergy issues involved with their pets. Besides, itā€™s probably better to stay within public transportation distance, I would guess, because Iā€™d imagine trying to actually drive into DC that day would be suicide, no? Can someone in the know confirm this? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/22 "2008-11-06T19:03:34Z")
We went last week. In the future, I think youā€™ll find Inaugurations much less crowded _before_ the election. We had our pictute taken next to Barak on the platform constructed on the Capitol stepsā€¦ well, next to the lumber that will be the platform on the Capitol steps and where heā€™ll probably be standing. Iā€™ll never understand why other people put these things off until the last day. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/23 "2008-11-06T19:07:10Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Iā€™d imagine trying to actually drive into DC that day would be suicide, no? Can someone in the know confirm this? What about taking the train? Goes right to Union Station IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/24 "2008-11-06T20:51:53Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > What about taking the train? Goes right to Union Station IIRC. Thatā€™s on our list. In fact, one of our options is to spend the majority of our time (weā€™re probably going to arrive back east on Friday or Saturday) in New York and then take the train down to DC the morning of the inauguration, just staying in town for the day. Weā€™ve never been to New York, and we _have_ been to DC, so it might be a nice way to spend a mini-vacation. ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/25 "2008-11-06T20:54:25Z")
I volunteered to help organize a trip for my temple. It will be one of those 24 hour marathon drives. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/26 "2008-11-06T20:56:43Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > What about taking the train? Goes right to Union Station IIRC. Very good idea! I hadnā€™t thought of that yet. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/27 "2008-11-06T21:04:47Z")
I usually find inaugurations to be boring pomp and circumstance. I mightā€™ve considered going to this one just to see how it might be different, but itā€™s on the other side of the continent. I have a job, after all. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/28 "2008-11-06T21:11:06Z")
Went to the last one. Not to support Bush, but for the experience. Tickets were required, if I recall correctly ā€“ we had 4, though. I donā€™t know if this yearā€™s will be ticketed or not, but if demand is what Iā€™m guessing itā€™ll be, it wouldnā€™t be a bad idea. That area isnā€™t small, but itā€™s not really huge, either. Does the inauguration have to be in DC? If not, Obama should consider moving to a larger venueā€¦ [hereā€™s my suggestion](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/61/NAVAJO_POINT.jpg). šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/29 "2008-11-06T21:22:48Z")
Stupid question. The swearing-in is supposed to take place at noon. How foolish would it be to try to catch a flight out of Dulles at 4:30pm? Thereā€™s a significant cost difference in trying to fly back home Tuesday evening vs. Wednesday, but I wasnā€™t sure if that would leave us enough time to see the inauguration and still get to the airport in time. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/30 "2008-11-06T21:28:12Z")
I really want to go, and could stay with my parents, but my mom (and what little information I could find online) seemed to indicate that you need a ticket. Does anyone know the real logistics with regard to attending with or without one? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/31 "2008-11-06T21:50:27Z")
You donā€™t need a ticket to attend the inauguration, and there will be plenty of events that will be open to the public. However. . . you wonā€™t be anywhere near the stage for the swearing in without a ticket, and you probably wonā€™t meet anyone interesting at the public events. Not stopping me from going anyway. Iā€™m working our contact list right now for invitations and tickets. So far, even the big muckety-mucks like my boss arenā€™t assured of anything yet, and I just learned that there are already like 2,000 people on the list at Barbara Boxerā€™s office. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/32 "2008-11-06T22:23:18Z")
Looks like I can try to get there early and push in as close as possible. I have a friend of the family in DC proper who will put me up, and now I just need to find a flight. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/33 "2008-11-07T16:40:23Z")
_sigh_ While I would call the opportunity to be close to the action during the swearing-in ceremony _nearly_ priceless, [this](http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Tickets-Presidential-Inauguration-Swearing-in-Ce_W0QQitemZ370109108159QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Tickets_all_in_one?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116) is just absurd. [Warning: link goes to eBay] ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/34 "2008-11-07T18:02:51Z")
Iā€™d be leery of that, Asimovian. Arenā€™t the tickets disseminated through the Congressional offices? [QUOTE=Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies] Tickets for the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony will be distributed to constituents in January 2009 by both Senators and Representatives of Congress of the 111th Congress. [/QUOTE] I reckon we could always form a marching band, and request to be in the [parade!](http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/index.cfm) šŸ˜ƒ [QUOTE=Marley23] Very good idea! [/QUOTE] Well duh! It was _mine_ ya know. I kid, I kid! ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/35 "2008-11-07T18:42:57Z")
Possibly. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/36 "2008-11-07T19:12:48Z")
An old friend of mine is fairly high up the food chain in a government-run institute, and already knows people on the transition team. I have asked to be her date if she gets invited to anything noteworthy. So maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/37 "2008-11-07T19:20:53Z")
I donā€™t think Iā€™ll be there, but I just wanted to share this photo someone sent me today. To me, it really exemplifies the hope and spirit that Obamaā€™s campaign workers had! [http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3006416363\_95ef8de914\_o.jpg](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3006416363_95ef8de914_o.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/38 "2008-11-07T19:36:16Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > I donā€™t think Iā€™ll be there, but I just wanted to share this photo someone sent me today. To me, it really exemplifies the hope and spirit that Obamaā€™s campaign workers had! > > [http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3006416363\_95ef8de914\_o.jpg](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3006416363_95ef8de914_o.jpg) Wow, thatā€™s awesome! Ok anybody who wants to have a tour of the Capitol, let me know. Congressman Brad Shermanā€™s office just told me theyā€™ll be happy to make special arrangements for me to put together a group tour for up to 10 or so people, and tell them that weā€™re friends of the Congressmanā€™s so weā€™ll get the red carpet treatment. Tickets to be anywhere near the steps for inauguration are going to be almost impossible to get, since there are so many more members of Congress this year, theyā€™re spread much thinner. Iā€™ll keep you guys posted if we have any luck with that, though. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/39 "2008-11-07T20:14:42Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > I just wanted to share this photo someone sent me today. Wow. Beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317/40 "2008-11-07T20:47:59Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Ok anybody who wants to have a tour of the Capitol, let me know. Congressman Brad Shermanā€™s office just told me theyā€™ll be happy to make special arrangements for me to put together a group tour for up to 10 or so people, and tell them that weā€™re friends of the Congressmanā€™s so weā€™ll get the red carpet treatment. Remind me when I see you in person to tell you about the Capitol ā€œtourā€ I took a couple of years ago. šŸ˜‰ (I _am_ going to see you in person next weekend, right?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-going-to-president-obamas-inauguration/471317.md?page=3)