Wanna party with Obama on Jan. 20? Better bring some Benjamins

[n2doc]

Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, December 22, 2008

(12-22) 18:42 PST -- So you want to go to the inaugural and dance next to the Obamas? Dream on, unless you're ready to drop a lot of cash or your first name is "Rahm."

Sure, for those dying to be there just to be there for President-elect Barack Obama's historic inauguration Jan. 20, there will be plenty of pomp, drama and free stuff offered in Washington, D.C., over several days surrounding the big event. But expect to part with at least several house payments/rent checks if you want the chance to be in the same room as the Obamas or view them on anything other than one of the 10 massive video walls pitched around the national Mall on the big day.

Even cash is not a guarantee of proximity. There are unofficial inaugural balls - many of which are already selling tickets - and official Presidential Inaugural Committee balls - which won't be announced until perhaps later this week.

The first couple - and their Secret Service minders - haven't decided which balls or events they will stop by and probably won't reveal their schedule before they show up for a dance and a wave. No telling if they'll stop by unofficial ones.

While official inaugural committee organizers promise "inclusive and accessible" events between Jan. 17 and 21, there is chasm between what is available based on the amount of cash you're packing. It's just like any political fundraiser: If you pay $2,300, you get your photograph snapped with the candidate. If you don't, you wait outside for a fleeting glimpse.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is defraying costs of the event by selling four-ticket packages for $50,000. Included in the package are four tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural parade, one of the 10 official inaugural balls and ducats to other concerts and happenings.
more: (with cheap alternatives)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/22/MN3V14RH5F.DTL&tsp=1