D.C.'s big Obama dilemma: What to do with the crowds?

[DogPoundPup]

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama didn't measure the White House drapes before being elected president — as Republican rival John McCain accused him of doing — but Ron Walters' family effectively did.

Weeks before Election Day, Walters began fielding calls from relatives who were looking for beds, couches, floors or any other sleeping space available in his suburban Washington home in anticipation of Obama being sworn in as the nation's first African-American president on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

"I had 23 relatives call us to try to get space in this home, and that's going on everywhere around here," said Walters, a University of Maryland political science professor. "We're trying to figure out how to buy all the futons and where to put them. But we'll be one big happy family. This is going to be a big celebration."

It seems as if everyone on Earth wants to come to Obama's inauguration, especially African-Americans. There are about 90,000 hotel rooms in the Washington area and only a few are still available, for a price. Prices start around $400 a night, and for most there's a four-night minimum. One unidentified celebrant paid $1 million to book an entire 300-room Marriott. Hotels as far away as Richmond, Va. — 100 miles south — and Baltimore — 40 miles north — are raising their rates and getting bookings.

"It's going to be like the Million Man March," said author A'Lelia Bundles, a Washingtonian and descendant of Madam C.J, one of the nation's first black female millionaires. "People are excited. It's almost like emancipation and Jubilee."

As many as 1.5 million people may come for Obama inaugural festivities, according to officials at Destination DC, the District of Columbia's official convention and tourism corporation.......

Read more at http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/55712.html

[moondust]

1. Not to worry.

The District of Columbia itself voted over 90% for Obama. DC residents are already there, they know where to go and how to get there, and will probably show up in droves--to the exclusion of many others without those advantages.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. This Inauguration will be SUCH a contrast to the previous two.

There will be joy and singing in the streets...

[GreenInNC]

3. My brother lives in DC

He lives on Constitution Ave up on Capitol Hill. I have his sofa and my daughter will get the air mattress.