inauguration

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London City Hall Will Fly US Flag Tomorrow

Mayor tips hat to Obama inauguration with Old Glory

(Newser) - Tomorrow morning, while Washington sleeps, the mayor of London will celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama by hoisting the American flag at city hall. Boris Johnson, a Conservative born in New York who publicly supported Obama during the campaign, will raise the flag himself, reports the Guardian. A rep...

Randy Inaugural Crowds Lookin' for Love on Craigslist

Craigslist users offer suites, invitations for kink

(Newser) - Frisky Democrats are angling for more than just ringside seats at tomorrow's inauguration—they're flooding Craigslist in search of a little side action, reports Gawker. One poster first thanks his congresswoman for tickets, then pleads: "I want to make this even better by getting kinky," hopefully in a...

Obama Turning to McCain for Advice

Former rival is honored guest at inauguration party

(Newser) - Not only is John McCain in town for Barack Obama's inauguration, he's the guest of honor at an event celebrating it, reports the New York Times. In fact, the president-elect has been discreetly consulting his former rival—the one Obama said America can't trust on the Iraq war—on Iraq,...

Inauguration Becomes De Facto Holiday

Experts say celebrations will boost worker morale

(Newser) - Employers nationwide are bracing for a new slowdown, but they're excited about this one, reports USA Today. Thousands of workers nationwide are expected to take the day off tomorrow to watch the inauguration—or watch with co-workers in office parties. Companies are wise to grant the time off, since the...

Rapper, 6, Touts Obama to Peeps
Rapper, 6, Touts
Obama to Peeps

Rapper, 6, Touts Obama to Peeps

YouTube hit makes campaign volunteer shortie a star

(Newser) - Though the historical context of Barack Obama's victory may be lost on "Lil Yani," the president-elect has made the 6-year-old very proud—enough to produce a rap tribute that's fast becoming an online hit, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Like the other upbeat raps from the charismatic Californian,...

Growing Obama Security to Peak at Inauguration

Tuesday's event will present ultimate security challenge

(Newser) - Two years of improving security for Barack Obama will climax at his swearing-in on Tuesday, the Washington Post reports. The president-elect will address the nation from behind a 5-ton bulletproof curtain as more than 23,000 police and National Guard troops stand guard. Road, river, and air traffic will be...

Mr. President, Tell Us a Story
Mr. President, Tell Us a Story
analysis

Mr. President, Tell Us a Story

Will Obama’s inaugural speech use a tale to inspire a spirit of collective sacrifice?

(Newser) - On the campaign trail, Barack Obama often punctuated his speeches with personal stories about a campaign volunteer or a city councilwoman. With the world ready to watch Obama’s inauguration speech Tuesday, John Dickerson wonders in Slate what stories Obama will tell to rekindle a sense of unity. "The...

'Anything Possible,' Obama Tells Crowd

(Newser) - Two days away from the White House, Barack Obama joined a vast throng today at a roaring, rollicking pre-inauguration celebration staged before marble monuments to past heroes. "Anything is possible in America," he said. "Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead—I stand here today...

Crowds Thrill to 'Obamastock'
 Crowds Thrill to 'Obamastock' 

Crowds Thrill to 'Obamastock'

Obamas attend services at historic church

(Newser) - A free inauguration concert that one attendee dubbed "Obamastock" kicked off today before tens of thousands of excited but chilly visitors in Washington, DC, the Washington Post reports. Fans sat patiently on blankets and waited in long security checkpoint lines as Denzel Washington took the stage to announce Bruce...

Obama Can't Win 'Em All
Obama Can't Win 'Em All
ANALYSIS

Obama Can't Win 'Em All

Some conservatives can't get into the spirit of unity for the inauguration

(Newser) - Washington will be swimming in champagne for the inauguration Tuesday, but some conservatives are warning merrymakers to stop drinking the Obama Kool-Aid, Politico reports. “While we’re sitting around the campfire and trying to sing Kumbaya, our country is slipping away from us,” said one. Another predicted, “...

10 Obscure Inauguration Tidbits
 10 Obscure Inauguration Tidbits 

10 Obscure Inauguration Tidbits

Which president was forgotten at his successor's ceremony?

(Newser) - Ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration, the Chicago Tribune compiles a list of the 10 best little known facts about ceremonies past.
  • George Washington had to borrow money to attend his own inauguration.
  • No, William Henry Harrison’s long-winded, “fatal” speech on a chilly morning in 1841 didn’t kill
...

Obama Arrives in Washington
 Obama Arrives in Washington 
Slideshow of whistlestop tour

Obama Arrives in Washington

(Newser) - Barack Obama rolled into Washington tonight on the last stop of his historic whistlestop train journey, the Washington Post reports. Obama retraced the path of Abraham Lincoln and called for a "new declaration of independence" for the nation. To see photos of the trip—which Joe Biden joined in...

Inaugural TV Deals Bring Big Bucks, Controversy

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s inaugural organizing team has struck the most lucrative series of TV deals ever seen for its slate of inaugural events, raking in more than $5 million from various networks, the Washington Post reports. HBO landed the juiciest prize, paying $2.5 million for exclusive rights to tomorrow’...

Fear of Crowds, Cold Deter Inauguration-Goers

Organizers scale back crowd estimations as Obama supporters heed warnings

(Newser) - The biggest gathering in Washington DC's history may be a little smaller than expected, the New York Times reports. Would-be visitors for Inauguration Day are starting to take heed of warning about crowds and cold, and many have decided to celebrate in their hometown instead. Officials still expect a logistical...

Inaugural Balls Can Be a Pain
 Inaugural Balls Can Be a Pain 
OPINION

Inaugural Balls Can Be a Pain

Mystique gives way to sardine-can ballrooms and endless coat-check lines

(Newser) - Inaugural balls aren't the fairytale occasions people imagine, jaded Washington vet Carla Hall writes in the Los Angeles Times. Instead of a sea of couples gliding past the newly sworn-in president on the dance floor, the galas tend to be a bunch of tired people crammed into a ballroom straining...

Noonan: Set Aside Cynicism, and Soak It In

Forget past, partisanship and absorb inaugural magic

(Newser) - The sights and sounds of a presidential inauguration are enough to inspire the most jaded of observers, if they’re so willing, writes Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal. Sure, presidencies come and go, with victories and failures. But at the majestic ceremony, the best option is to forget...

Inauguration Announcer Been at Mic Since Ike

Brotman, 81, thinks Obama's may be most spectacular

(Newser) - Charlie Brotman, the octogenarian MC stationed closest to the presidential reviewing stand during Tuesday’s Inaugural Parade, has had a front-row seat to history since 1957, when he was chosen to announce President Eisenhower’s, USA Today reports. Brotman expects Barack Obama’s inauguration will be the most spectacular ever....

Speechwriter Obama Gets Competitive
Speechwriter Obama Gets Competitive

Speechwriter Obama Gets Competitive

Inaugural address pressure is on, but Lincoln may help

(Newser) - Barack Obama has nearly completed his inaugural address, and he's uniquely qualified to take on a seemingly insurmountable challenge: living up to the example set by the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy. "I would think we would hear the most eloquent speech since JFK’s 48...

Beyoncé Will Sing for Obamas' Inaugural Dance

Sing will also join many other performers for inauguration's Neighborhood Ball

(Newser) - Beyoncé will sing for the Obamas' first dance on inauguration night, the AP reports. The inaugural committee is tight-lipped about the specifics—"It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment,” a rep said—but it's a good bet the singer/actress will be...

Bush White House Empties Out Today

Staffers wistful as all traces of them get wiped away

(Newser) - By the close of business today, the White House will be almost empty of staff, reports Politico. By Monday, there will be no physical trace of the Bush administration left in the building, as if 8 years of history could be unwritten by the crew of cleaners and painters. Says...

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