Not meant to incite a GD at all, which is why it’s here. Completely one of those “hey, I wonder if…” moments, and nothing more.
I noticed during the broadcast, CNN kept mentioning that “this is where various VIPs will be sitting, state governors, etc.” I saw Tim Kaine stroll past one of the cameras, but I guess it wasn’t like he really had to travel far to attend.
I’m guessing had the outcome of the election been different, Biden and Obama would still be there, as Senators. McCain had his entrance, then a few re-establishing shots that at least killed time until 11:30. But I never saw Palin in the crowd.
To be honest, I didn’t recognize any other governors who may have been in attendance, besides Kaine. As a corollary, is it common for governors to attend?
ETA: And, if I may be so bold as to pose a third tangentially related question, were any of the other contenders there? Any of the former Senators who were up for the Dem or Republican nods, or Ralph Nader, Bob Barr?
(Sorry I can’t be more informative- but this will give you something to start with, subscribe me to the thread, and bump the thread up a bit, so everyone wins.)
I don’t know if it’s common, but Governor Schweitzer of Montana was almost certainly at the Inauguration, as he was in the parade- on horseback, with Senator Tester on his own horse, and then I guess the other two men on horses were Senator Baucus and Representative Rehberg, but I don’t know what they look like.
See, I read that as “Governor Schwarzenegger” and wondered why Arnie was riding a horse - he should be driving a Hummer, or better yet, riding a Harley in full Terminator regalia. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Kaine was one of Obama’s major backers and was almost his VP, and Schweitzer spoke at the nominating convention this year. So there were specific reasons for them to be there, which was probably not the case for most other governors.
Schwarzenegger was there, he was pointed out to the audience during an inept session in which a CNN person tried to explain their photo merge software and tried to show someone he could not find because the touch screen did not work. Palin, though, I don’t know.
Well, that kind of speaks well for her, that she would rather work than go to one big DC party. However, maybe her reason for not going was due to embarrassment at being regarded as McCain’s kryptonite…
I know in a lot of ceremonial situations, VIPs are invited but will sometimes send a (small r) representative in their place. So maybe the missing govs had stand-ins in their seats. So while technically the area was for all 50 governors, maybe it was 50 governors and reps.
I remember in 93 Nelson Mandela was there but it looked like he was sitting down on the lower level. That was before he was elected president of South Africa.
Alternative take: Well, that kind of speaks poorly for her, that she would rather attend to some pedestrian governmental function than to represent her state at the United States Presidential inauguration. However, maybe her reason for not going was due to embarrassment at being McCain’s kryptonite…
You guys should be aware that political jabs are out of place in GQ.
Since the main question in the OP has been answered by Fear Itself, and since this thread will almost inevitably continue to deteriorate into jabs and jokes about Palin, I’m going to close it. Those who wish to discuss the Alaska governor and her doings in more detail can take it to another forum.
