In a New Tux, Obama Seeks the Proper Tone

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama has ordered his first new tuxedo in 15 years for his inaugural celebration. And he has invited the marching band from Punahou School, his high school in Hawaii, to join the parade. (Nearly 1,400 bands have applied; only a few dozen are chosen.)

Plans for Mr. Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20 are slowly taking shape. But with increasing numbers of people out of work and American soldiers enmeshed in two wars, inaugural planners face the task of keeping the tone respectful while still celebrating Mr. Obama’s achievement.

“There’s no question that people are in tough times,” said Linda Douglass, a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama’s inaugural committee. “But we hope that this will be an event in which we celebrate our common values and shared aspirations.” She added, “What we are looking to achieve is a tone that is hopeful.”

Mr. Obama formed his inauguration committee only recently, and it has yet to establish a schedule for the day or reveal what events it may be planning after the noon swearing-in ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol. Much of the day is pro forma, but presidents like to tailor the details on everything from selecting the marching bands to which inaugural balls will be designated as official. And all will be dissected for meaning.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/us/politics/09inaug.html