Public can now sign up for tickets to presidential Inaugural Ball

[alp227]

Source: washington post

People who wish to attend the official Inaugural Ball with President Obama and wife after his swearing-in ceremony next month can begin signing up Friday to obtain a limited number of tickets, a source at the Presidential Inaugural Committee said Friday.

In light of the struggling economy, the committee — which is overseeing the planning of the inauguration day parade, the balls and other events before and after the oath-taking ceremony – will hold only two official balls this time: the Inaugural Ball and the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball.

Both the Inaugural Ball and the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, which is a tradition started by President George W. Bush in 2005 to honor members of the armed forces, will be held Jan. 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the source said. Having them at one place should also economize on security and law enforcement personnel needed for the event.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-can-now-sign-up-for-tickets-to-presidential-inaugural-balls/2012/12/28/3f6d6ec2-510b-11e2-8b49-64675006147f_story.html

[SunSeeker]

1. Very cool.

Another move that shows President Obama's love of the American people. I wish I could go.

[Garion_55]

2. big fan of the president but....

if it were me, considering the state of the nation and the economy, i think i would cancel all the inaugural stuff. honestly i dont believe any 2nd term president needs to spend the money on all that. you won, you are still the president, lets move on.

[janx]

3. It's tradition.

People expect it. I think they made a good call.

[democrattotheend]

5. I kind of agree

But in his defense, he did scale things back a lot from 2009. There will be only 2 inaugural balls instead of 10 in 2009.

I do think it is to everyone's benefit for him to give an inaugural address, as it will give him the bully pulpit to make the case for his second term agenda. The more opportunities he has to get the attention of a national audience, the better it is for us in the ongoing battle with Republicans over taxes and the budget.

[Retrograde]

4. I dunno - don't really have anything suitable to wear

$60 a person isn't that bad, considering, but then there's the transportation to DC, and lodging, and I need to be in San Francisco the next morning, so I'll have to pass.

Nice gesture, though: if I lived nearby I'd consider it.