Holy crap! 4 Million expected for the inauguration!!!

[DCBob]

Can Mall Be Filled For an Inauguration? 4 Million May Try It.
By Nikita Stewart and Michael E. Ruane
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, November 18, 2008; Page 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.

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111703672.html
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I will be there no matter what. It will be an incredible historic event. We may not be able to see anything but just being there in the city with the crowd with Obama somewhere in the vicinity will be good enough. Can't wait!

[tekisui]

1. .

:wow:

[midnight]

2. I hope there will be enough food for all these people. Get ready

Washington. You will be hosting the biggest party I have ever heard of.

[tekisui]

4. I wonder what the largest crowd ever is?

[dascientist]

12. probably the Million Man March ......

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. I was thinking the Vietnam protest - but more likely some Bush sighting

don't ya think? haha

[eShirl]

9. and a plethora of porta-potties...

[liberal N proud]

3. Seeing the crowds at the 4th of July celebration

I just can't imagine that many people in that space. WOW!

[bdamomma]

5. Any DU'ers going??

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. I can't wait either ! Did you go to Clinton's? We had tickets but

they never even tried to collect them - would have been a logistical nightmare. Best I remember - maybe, maybe a 1/4 of the mall was full.

I chickened out months ago when I could have gotten almost any room I wanted in DC. Now, we are going to stay in either Annapolis or the countryside near Warrenton or Middleburg. Which do you think would be easier? To drive in? or take the metro?

[DCBob]

10. No, I didn't attend Clinton's. I had just moved to DC at the time.

I was living in a high rise apartment in Silver Spring with a great view towards the city. I was watching the inauguration on TV and at some point they showed Bush 41 leaving in the presidential helicopter and I looked out the window and I could see it in the distance flying off -- it was quite a moving moment and that's when I knew I would love it here in DC.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. yes, that's the one I went to. What was funny -- we waited hours and

hours in the freezing cold on the side of the street near the capitol. They were supposed to leave
after a brief meeting with the Bushes. They were very late. I read much later, a tell-all from
SS or FBI, that Bill and Hillary had a major blowout - screaming and yelling at each other and that's
why the motorcade was late.

I working in DC for 15 mos 2003-2004. My bad memory that I want to erase -- leaving work the afternoon of
the election - thinking Kerry had won due to seeing the exit polls. I remember walking by the WH and
there was a stream of sunlight shining on it. It was a wonderful day - and I took that as an omen for
good things to come. Of course, that day got worse and worse from that point forward.

[DCBob]

15. I never heard that story about Bill and Hillary arguing.

Yes, we all have bad memories of the Kerry election. Sigh.

[DCBob]

11. BTW, driving will be a nightmare and parking will be even worse. Metro is the way to go.

If you are staying out of town you need to find a metro station out of town that has plenty of parking and go early. BTW, not sure if all the Metro garages are the same but in our area you need a smart card parking pass to enter and use the Metro parking lots. Let me know if you need any help with any of this. I would be glad to help.

Bob

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. Thanks! I looked up Fairfax station and they have thousands of

parking spots - but I didn't know you had to have a card. Glad you warned me. Bet there will be long lines just to get on the Metro, huh

[DCBob]

16. Fairfax metro sounds like a good choice and yes the Metro will be a mob scene but...

they are good at moving bodies especially if they are prepared for it -- they will have extra trains running non-stop to handle the crowd. Just be patient leaving downtown. We are planning to go bar hopping afterwards -- maybe meet up with some other DUers.

As I said, I am not sure about needing the metro parking card in all metros. Maybe pop them an email. Good luck!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. Yes, will be looking for the DU meetup spots! Thanks Bob ! nt

[mnhtnbb]

17. We went to Clinton's second inaugural. Had decent view of the swearing in

(with binoculars)and sprang for one of the lesser balls. Clinton didn't show. We still had a good time
and it was a once in a lifetime event.

I can't imagine what it's going to be like at Obama's!

[TuxedoKat]

19. Metro

Parking is a nightmare in DC. Even if you could find a place you'd pay through the nose. Traffic will no doubt be horrendous too, with many streets blocked off, pedestrians, traffic jams, etc. Take the metro.

[Marrah_G]

7. Amazing !

I really wish I could go!

My boys and I will have to be happy watching it on TV with some yummy take out.

[bdamomma]

8. seeing it on TV is like getting a front row seat.

and alot warmer too, but it should be wild with that many people.

[democrattotheend]

21. I really want to go

I wasn't sure if there was anything to see without a ticket though. From the looks of this article there definitely is. I almost wish I didn't care so much because I could make a fortune renting out my apartment if I left the city for the weekend, but I want to be there.