# I Received an Invitation to Barak Obama's Inauguration, Does It Actually Get Me In? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 9, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558 "2009-01-09T18:17:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/21 "2009-01-11T20:34:58Z")
\>Frame it and lie to your grandkids. No dice. One’s unimpressed and the other leans Republican, though she is (fortunately) too young to vote. ---
**Author:** ![bink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@bink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bink)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/22 "2009-01-11T22:33:29Z")
I got one of those too. It’s an invitation to Washington, DC. I’m pretty sure you don’t need an invitation to go there. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/23 "2009-01-11T23:53:38Z")
Mine ended up in the trash. The invitation also included a catalog with a bunch of Obama/Biden swag…though this [$400 picture](http://www.inauguralstore.com/optimizer/product/J0510.html) would be pretty cool, but I’ve got better things to spend $400 on. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/24 "2009-01-12T02:30:52Z")
I got the same thing. Also in the envelope was an ad for key rings, mugs, etc. commemorating the inauguration. I consider it a souvenir. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/25 "2009-01-12T03:49:57Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > \>Frame it and lie to your grandkids. > > No dice. One’s unimpressed and the other leans Republican, though she is (fortunately) too young to vote. Yes, but the potential for one of them thinking that’s it’s something really rare and valuable and taking it to a 2099 episode of Antiques Roadshow only to be ridiculed publicly by smarmy gay east coast antique dealers from the future makes it totally worth it. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/26 "2009-01-13T18:22:47Z")
I got one the other day, and was more impressed with their computerized data-handling abilities. How many times have I had dealings with companies/organizations separately from my wife, and we each receive all notices and correspondence from them separately as well? We donated separately to the campaign, yet ours came addressed to “\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_” (actual names, of course). Of course, whatever money they spent correlating and “guessing” that two people at the same address with the same last name wouldn’t mind being addressed together, they likely saved in not having to print and mail separate “invitations.” ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/27 "2009-01-13T18:56:21Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > Mine ended up in the trash. The invitation also included a catalog with a bunch of Obama/Biden swag…though this [$400 picture](http://www.inauguralstore.com/optimizer/product/J0510.html) would be pretty cool, but I’ve got better things to spend $400 on. That is cool…apparently they’ve created a time-travel camera. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/28 "2009-01-13T20:08:29Z")
> [@troub](#): > > I got one the other day, and was more impressed with their computerized data-handling abilities. … We donated separately to the campaign, yet ours came addressed to “\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_” (actual names, of course). I’m less impressed. [Here’s what I got today.](http://sdmbexample.nfshost.com/congratulations.jpg) Yes, that’s right, I got a blank piece of paper with gold embossing on it. Hey, maybe I can run it through the printer and make some official-looking backstage pass. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/29 "2009-01-13T21:30:26Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > That is cool…apparently they’ve created a time-travel camera. If you can get a post-dated picture that would be worth $400. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/30 "2009-01-13T21:38:28Z")
Huh. Four years ago I had a hard plastic card with my name on it to wear around my neck. Nothing special - I was a volunteer for the inaugural committee. But at least I got something more than an invitation. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/31 "2009-01-14T07:47:03Z")
They’re going to regret this when everyone shows up with their “pass” in 7 days expecting to get in. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/32 "2009-01-14T07:58:31Z")
Hey, if any of you lose it you can [buy it now on ebay](http://cgi.ebay.com/Official-Original-Barack-Obama-Inauguration-Invitation_W0QQitemZ320332283761QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320332283761&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2%7C65:10%7C39:1%7C240:1318) for $250. Or you can risk bidding for it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/33 "2009-01-14T12:31:27Z")
What good is an Obama Inauguaral Invitation if it won’t [stick to your refrigerator](http://cgi.ebay.com/Obama-Official-Inauguration-Invitation-Refrig-Magnet_W0QQitemZ250355327315QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250355327315&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558/34 "2009-01-14T16:05:51Z")
> [@ntucker](#): > > I’m less impressed. [Here’s what I got today.](http://sdmbexample.nfshost.com/congratulations.jpg) Yes, that’s right, I got a blank piece of paper with gold embossing on it. Hey, maybe I can run it through the printer and make some official-looking backstage pass. 😃 Heh. I got a printed invitation, all right, but it was badly smudged. Guess the machine stuck it into the envelope before the ink was dry. It’s a souvenir, no more. When I was part of an inauguration college winter-term project in 1985, I got an almost identical one, but I remember that it included a separate sheet of paper which specifically said that it would not get you into any ticketed events. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-received-an-invitation-to-barak-obamas-inauguration-does-it-actually-get-me-in/480558.md?page=1)