POLITICS: RECORD TURNOUT EXPECTED FOR INAUGURATION / FIRST BLACK ATTORNEY GENERAL? / CLINTON BEING VETTED
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to draw as many as 4 million people to his inauguration on January 20, 2009, three or four times larger than previous big events on the National Mall, according to the Washington Post.
Although only a fraction of those people will be close enough to get a good look at the action, officials are planning extra JumboTrons so all spectators can feel a part of the historic day. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said visitors will have a difficult choice between getting the best possible views of the swearing-in or the parade: “The parade route will be completely filled way before the inaugural speech even happens,” said Fenty, who was a D.C. Council member in 2005, the most recent inauguration. “That’s something people will have to think about, whether they want to see the parade firsthand or see the inaugural swearing-in and speech. You can’t do both.”
Tickets to the inaugural ceremonies will be provided free of charge and distributed through Members of the 111th Congress. Members of the public interested in attending the Inaugural Ceremonies should contact their Member of Congress or U.S. Senators to request tickets.
No website or other ticket outlet actually has inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim. Tickets will not be distributed to Congressional offices until the week before the inauguration and will require in-person pick-up.
FIRST BLACK ATTORNEY GENERAL?
President-elect Barack Obama is poised to name Washington lawyer Eric Holder as the nation’s first black attorney general.
Holder, 57, met Obama over four years ago and quickly became a member of the President-elect’s inner circle. If he becomes the next chief U.S. law enforcement officer, Holder will try to win the public’s confidence in the Justice Department. In an interview late last year, Holder said:
“Internally, there is a morale problem the likes of which I have never seen before. Externally, there is a crisis of confidence that the nation has with regard to the department.”
Holder’s nomination is expected to be announced as early as this week.
CLINTON BEING VETTED
According to published reports, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has engaged three prominent lawyers to help President-elect Barack Obama vet her candidacy for secretary of state.
Attorneys Cheryl Mills, David Kendall and Robert Barnett are working with the Obama transition team to review information about the Clintons’ background and finances, including Bill Clinton’s post-presidential business deals and relationships with foreign governments. All three represented the Clintons on legal matters in the White House, including President Clinton’s dalliance with intern Monica Lewinsky that led to his impeachment in 1998.
Officials say it is going smoothly and both Clintons are cooperating fully. Former President Bill Clinton has already taken an important step to smoothing his wife’s path to the job: he has suggested that would he step away from the daily responsibility for his charitable foundation while his wife served and would alert the State Department to his speaking schedule and any new sources of income.
34 Comments
1.
BEYONCE FAN@
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I HOPE EVERTHING WORKS OUT!!!
2.
Local Celebrity
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
.I wanted to go to DC, but all the hotels are being booked like crazy. I want to go, but I wont sleep on the streets just to be in the midst. lmaoo
3.
Local Celebrity
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
.Real talk “Tops,” (#3) it is not that serious to petition something like that. There are way more important issues at hand, rather than who is singing. And if you want to talk about artists using their sexuality, you might as well cancel everyone out, unless they are of the older generation. Personally, I think she would do a great job singing at the inauguration. This is a time when we should be really positive, so please cut out off the negativity…
4.
MRSJONES
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
i bet it will be a record turn out, because i myself definitely plan to be at the inaugaration. HISTORY IN THE MAKING PEOPLE!
5.
MRSJONES
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
@3
I FOUND A BEST WESTERN HOTEL THAT IS ACTUALLY IN DC AND NOT BOOKED. ONLY $80 A NIGHT, AND I WILL MORE THAN LIKELY ONLY BE THERE FOR ONE NIGHT ANYWAY.LOL
6.
d
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
interesting
7.
LJ
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
All of the historic events taking place are simply beautiful. I am more proud to be a Black American than I have ever been before. I pray for the Obama family and trust that Barack will be an excellent representative of the United States of America.
I absolutely plan on being in attendence of the inaugural ceremonies, along with my 9 year old daughter, my mother, and several other family members and friends. I wrote my congressman weeks ago!
I hope that Black people (as well as others) will take this event seriously and refrain from acts of ignorance and violence.
OBAMA! OBAMA! WE DID IT!
8.
linda
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I THINK THAT IT WILL BE GREAT. JUST STICK TO THE PLAN. AS MUCH AS IT IS TO BE CELEBRATED. LETS NOT FORGET THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DELT WITH. ITS OKAY FOR THE CELEBRATION. JUST BE SAFE KEEP GOD FIRST AND REMEMBER THIS COUNTRY IS IN A MESS. BECAUSE AFTER THE PARTY THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES TO DEAL WITH. HAVE FUN. THANK PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FIRST LADY MRS OBAMA.
9.
BigDaddyReg
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
…..THEY IMPEACHED CLINTON..LOL
10.
Local Celebrity
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
.What ya say MRSJONES? Thanks for the info. I will go online and book that then. Appreciate the look out. So I will definitely be there. Whats up with people saying that you have to buy tickets for the inauguration? I thought it was free? Anyone know about that?
11.
Local Celebrity
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
12.
Local Celebrity
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
.Sorry for the double post.
13.
SexyQB
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Glad to see Barack & Hill can work things out.
14.
sassydancer
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
CONGRATS!!!! a african american atty general…kewl beans i am lovin the mix!!
15.
kaykay
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I’ll be there! bought my tic a few days before the election
16.
The Honest Critic
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
THANKS CL FOR POSTING THAT UP BECAUSE THERE’S A LOT OF PLACES CLAIMING TO HAVE FULL FLEDGED TICKETS FOR THE EVENT. THERE ARE ALSO MANY PEOPLE PAYING FOR IT AS WELL. I WAS PLANNING ON GOING TO INAUGURATION, BUT I THINK I WON’T GO AND JUST WATCH IT ON TV. I LIVE IN VA AND GOING UP 95 INTO DC ON A REGULAR FRIDAY OR SUNDAY TAKES ME ABOUT 5 HOURS WHEN IT SHOULD ONLY BE ABOUT 2HRS AND 45MINUTES. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE TRYING TO GET INTO DC OR EVEN NEAR IT THAT DAY OR NIGHT BEFORE. IT WILL BE CHAOS. AMONG THAT 4MILLION PEOPLE IN ONE AREA SCARES ME PERSONALLY BECAUSE I’VE BEEN IN A CROWDED AREA BEFORE WHERE I ALMOST GOT TRAMPELED BECAUSE OF A FIGHT STARTING AND SOMEONE SHOOTING A GUN IN THE AIR. I GUESS I’M STILL SCARED OF THOSE CROWDS.
17.
Karren E.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I already requested my tickets. I hope I get in! this is history. WOW!
18.
Mike J.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Ticket requests are in and hotel room booked!!! For those planning on going FYI - hotels are booked from VA all the way to BMORE/DC area but you can probably still find some small spots..
19.
Wes B
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I will watch on TV. Im just glad and proud that Ohio got their acts together and voted properly. I’ve done my part of history by voting being tere at 530am before the polls opened. I pray for everyones safety when you do go to Washington DC for that. It will be history and an honor just to watch people come together. I’ve seen people getting their cars vandalized on tv where they find nazi signs over obama stickers. Some people need to grow up and get with change. To those going be safe and careful. I’m looking foward to 4 good years and hopefully 8 years
20.
Shellboogie
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
First a black President, now a black Attorney General. I love it !!!!
Obama is a force to be reckoned with, I love him and his entire movement.
God is so real !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Barak !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21.
Ara
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Obama Baby!!
22.
brandi
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Still proud of my president!
23.
Tealeaf
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
It’s going to be Amazing…
I wish people like Dr.King and Medgar Evers were here to see it, they risk their lives for this type of thing to happen
24.
HOTMOMMA001
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Wish I could be there but the price tag is HEFTY! Go Obama! Hey Hillary, we see ya!
25.
Be The Best YOU There Is...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Well, if he is the best man for the AG job then all the best to him…. CHANGE all around Obama!
26.
BAM BANG
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
PRESIDENT OBAMA IS ON HIS WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hilary for Secretary of State is a great move!!!!!!
Eric Holder for Atterny General is a major major accomplishment for black men.
And a very solid choice.
Now if he could get Colin Powell to convert to Democrat he could be the Secretary of Defense. and Obama woul dhave a very powerful crowd around him.
Im am excited about Americas return to greatness!!!!!
Im proud to be american!!!!!!
27.
PheonixSky
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I’m from DC, so I am staying with family. I am coming up from florida some kinda way though. I am so excited !
28.
TETE
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
What does vet mean?
29.
ladytroublesome
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I’m so excited about the Inauguration! Can’t wait. Woot!
30.
ladytroublesome
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
@ 28, it means she’s being evaluated for possible approval of the position for Sec. of State.
I hope she gets it. I’d like to meet her before I leave D.C.
31.
dukesman2000
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
I wish I could be there. Folks, I know the economy is bad, but I must urge you, the biggest and most lucrative investment you can make at this point is to buy up most of the authentic Obama memorabilia - magazines, buttons etc. If Obama has a successful presidency, they’ll be worth a fortune.
32.
young a
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
CIARA FANTASY RIDE 2009!!!!!!! GET READY ALL CIARA FANS, IT’S GONNA B A BANGING YEAR!!!! LOVE CIARA!!!!
FANTASY RIDE 2009!! http://www.sincerelyciara.com
http://www.myspace.com/ciara
CIARA FANTASY RIDE 2009!!!!!!! GET READY ALL CIARA FANS, IT’S GONNA B A BANGING YEAR!!!! LOVE CIARA!!!!
FANTASY RIDE 2009!! http://www.sincerelyciara.com
http://www.myspace.com/ciara
33.
NeedWisdmDaily
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /
Booked my plane ticket and I’m on the list for tickets. I’m PRAYING that my state I’m currently in (Oregon) has tickets. There is a loooong list but they took my name anyway. Even though I’m still a Maryland resident I wasn’t even going to try and get tickets because I knew they were gone in a flash. Praise the Lord I have family and friends there…otherwise I probably wouldn’t go because everything is sold out.
P.S……word of advice to those that don’t know about D.C. Don’t go up in there actin like you are a tourist and don’t know where you are. And don’t get too desprite trying to find a hotel and you end up in SE or NE lost. Also…if you’re in Baltimore BE CAREFUL of what area’s you are in as well. The harbor area is wonderful (where my job is located) but just a few blocks away is a not so good neighborhood.
All I ask…is if you’re traveling at night and not knowing where you going PLEASE ask somebody you know….or don’t go out at all.
Enjoy and GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!
34.
Rayne
Thursday, November 20, 2008 /
My friends and I are staying at the holiday inn in Richmond and driving to a metro station in Springfield EARLY on the big day. It never crossed our minds to try and drive into DC….that would be INSANE!!! The train stations will be packed which is why you have to be up early if you plan to be a apart of history.