Can Mall Be Filled For an Inauguration? 4 Million May Try It.

[kskiska]

Source: WP

Tuesday, November 18, 2008; A01

District and federal officials are preparing for as many as 4 million people for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, a crowd that would be three or four times larger than previous big events on the Mall.

Only a fraction of those people will be close enough to get a good look at the action. But officials are planning extra JumboTrons at the Mall and along the inaugural parade route so that spectators can feel a part of the historic day.

"The Mall actually may be the best seat in the house. . . . It'll kind of be like the world's biggest stage and auditorium on January 20th," said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), adding that the crowd projections have emerged in briefings conducted by federal and local officials.

All plans are pending approval of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, to be set up by Obama, which determines the size and nature of the inaugural festivities, Fenty said. But District officials have met several times with the Secret Service and other agencies.

The Secret Service is taking the lead in overseeing security and other logistics. Even for a city that has hosted vast throngs for marches, protests, celebrations, funerals and inaugurations, this will be an unprecedented test of planning and resources. The question arises: Can the city handle it? Can millions of people fit downtown?

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111703672.html?hpid=topnews

[bluestateguy]

1. This could be good for the DC area economy

The hotels and restaurants must be very excited.

[rogerballard]

2. That is incredible...

one or two million maybe, but four? Kind of takes your breath away.

[trusty elf]

3. Astonishing.

:wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

[JimDandy]

4. I want to be one of those 4 million.

The last time I was in DC was with my family in 2005. We visited as many Smithsonian Museums as we could in 3 days. The last day there, we came across Cindy Shehan and her supporters as we walked across the mall grounds to see the presidential memorials.

The time before that, it was the spring of '65, when we were kids and the Cherry Blossoms were everywhere. We were moving and it was our last day there after having lived in the DC area for 5 years. I was born outside DC and in fact was just a few months old when my parents went to JFK's inauguration. It was so FREEZING cold at that inauguration, that the crowds they had expected didn't show. So many people didn't show up that they moved the people in the middle (like my mother)to the front, so it would look full when the cameras panned the front section of the audience.

I hope Obama's inauguration is blessed with wonderful weather and everything goes perfect.

[2Design]

7. I was thinking of going but it will be cold - I put in request for tickets

but don't expect much from the republican and the dem closed down requests because there were too many, closed at 15,000. I thought of going just to see parade - TV will be better and warmer. But I welcome the fact of going to DC in the next four years where is will be a nicer and friendlier place. I may ask to get tickets to see the place. I am hoping it will no longer be like a prison protecting the terriorists living there.

[JimDandy]

11. Wow - so few tickets!!

That's my hope also = that our White House will be OURS again - to tour and see as we should.

[2Design]

12. each rep gets several hundred tickets but that request amount was what one rep got not all reps

I assume the reason they are predicting so many people is all the requests

[qwlauren35]

14. The idea of letting people tour the White House Scares the Crap out of Me.

I'm sorry. The security risk is unfathomable.

I'm already scared about the fact that he's in a known location (his home). I know that I'm being paranoid, but I'd rather that White House tours be restricted to when he is out of the country, or on vacation or at Camp David.

And even still, the thought scares me half to death.

:scared:

[2Design]

23. you can not really get inside like you used to - it is like for knox - tight n/t

[liberal N proud]

5. I am just thinking of the crowd on the 4th of July on the Mall

They fenced off from Independence Ave to Constitution from the National Art Gallery to Arlington Cemetery as a security zone and the place was full of people by the time fireworks went off. Or so it appeared, and that I am sure was not even a large crowd.

I can only imagine what 4 million people in that space would look and feel like. I would be great to be part of it but I don't see it happening.

[Doctor_J]

6. My daughter is going to take her entire 4th grade class

I wish I could make it

:thumbsup:

[xxqqqzme]

8. I was thinking of going just for the parade.

But I think I'll stay in So Cal and be warm. I have not lived in cold weather for over 25 years, so my current 'winter' wardrobe is made up of long sleeve T-shirts, hoodie sweatshirts & UGG boots.

[Mz Pip]

9. I was planning on going

but the logistics started to get too complicated. So I will watch it up close a personal from 3000 miles away on my big HDTV in my familyroom.

Flying to NYC to meet up with my son, then getting up at 3 am to catch a train to DC then deal with the subways and crowds there seemed pretty overwhelming, not to mention expensive.

[ACTION BASTARD]

10. Why do this?

A plane from NYC to DC is less than 60 minutes and cheap too. All you'll have time for is a soda really. Totally worth it to fly in the morning, catch a cab to the mall and then reverse it. I'd stop for dinner though.

Just a thought.

[Bertha Venation]

16. "catch a cab to the mall" --

:rofl:

Dear, sweet Marine, 'twill be gridlock. It's a great thought and it would work today, but not on 1/20. I have no idea what they're going to do with car/bus traffic, but I'm glad I won't be here to see it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. hee-hee, remember the highlight of the 2000 inauguration was that

somebody threw an egg or tomato at Bush's car? God, for long stretches of road, it was like a funeral had taken place. I bet the next one will be a celebration!

Oh, do let's get clips and compare!

[Bertha Venation]

15. This is exactly why I will be in Florida during inaugural week.

I work in DC. I don't want to be anywhere near this town that week.

[onenote]

18. I work in DC too, and probably will stay away from the inauguration

As much as I would like to be there and be part of it, I honestly don't know how DC is going to cope with the traffic and related issues associated with a crowd that large. My inclination is to invite a bunch of my like-minded neighbors over for an inauguration day party and watch the parade, swearing in and speeches on my big screen in the warmth and comfort of my living room.

If I can swing tickets to an inaugural ball, however, I'm definitely heading downtown!!

[Bertha Venation]

19. That would be something.

The first thing I'd have to say is, "I don't have a thing to wear!" I think I'd stand out at a ball in jeans and tennis shoes.

[Jack Rabbit]

17. Think of it

For President Obama's inauguration, the mall will be full.

For Mr. Bush's last Christmas, the malls will be empty.

[Bertha Venation]

20. Ah, well said, Jack Rabbit.

:applause:

[kwyjibo]

21. Photo from March on Washington, August 28, 1963

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?imgurl=afe4301bb747d76b&q=washington,+demonstrations+source:life&ei=Ol8kSaTACofYNJnN8TY&sig2=qe_n_P-HwmYQ8PpsyIPRuQ&usg=__YMwB7gCxh4Y-heftKy0DiR_NJOM=&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwashington,%2Bdemonstrations%2Bsource:life%26hl%3Den

[eppur_se_muova]

22. Hotels in my area are already filled for that week ...

and it's three hours from DC!