Inauguration Blog
When I found out last month that I’d be covering the inauguration of Barack Obama, I knew finding the right travel partner was key. Friend and fellow journalist Jennifer Godwin, who works at the Democrat-Gazette, will be traveling with me to the Jan. 20 event. We’ll be leaving Saturday, and I’m going to blog the entire way. I hope to bring you a small window into this historic event. Enjoy. —John Worthen
Click here to visit Jennifer’s blog.
Jan. 22
Art Harris of San Diego, Calif., holds his Inauguration ticket.
By JOHN WORTHEN
News-Times Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. — They braved the bitter cold.
They trudged forward through shoulder-to-shoulder crowds with stiff eyes and stout hearts.
They stood in line for hours and endured treks that would have challenged the most seasoned sidewalk warriors.
President Barack Obama’s supporters made it clear that they were willing to go through just about anything to catch a glimpse of history Tuesday at the United States Capitol.
And they showed their devotion in mind-boggling numbers.
Tuesday’s Inauguration crowd is being touted as the largest ever to gather in Washington, D.C. Millions lined the two-mile stretch between the Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial during the ceremony, according to unofficial estimates. From the Capitol steps, the sea of bodies could literally be seen for miles.
Obama supporters huddled together in blankets and parkas, cheering, chanting and clapping to make their voices heard.
Just before the 44th president took his oath, the crowd began yelling rhythmically: “Obama! Obama! Obama!”
“Obama! We love you!” shouted a woman in a dark fur hat that sat snug around her ears.
“We all love you!”
Art Harris, a retired Marine who flew in from San Diego for the event, was among those rooting for the new president. The 74-year-old Texarkana native called Inauguration Day one of the best of his life.
“This is something that I thought would never happen in my lifetime,” said Harris. “This is one of the best events I have ever gone through. I love it, it’s the best. He (Obama) needs our support, and we need him. It’s time for a change.”
On Monday, Harris stood in line with thousands of others to collect his Inauguration ticket at the Rayburn House Building in downtown Washington. Bitter winds and snow flurries didn’t deter anyone from picking up tickets they’d requested from their Congressmen weeks before.
“What a great time this is for our nation, and for the world,” Harris said, clutching the cane he uses to ensure a steady stride. “This is what I’ve been waiting for. This is change. This is history.”
On the National Mall Monday, Toronto, Ontario, resident Dwight Davis drew attention with a large Canadian flag jutting from his backpack. He spoke candidly with people who asked questions about his journey to the Inauguration.
Davis, 60, drove his car to Washington last weekend and was sleeping in it because he had nowhere else to go — and no ticket to the Inauguration, either.
Davis, like Harris, said he felt drawn to the event and compared the excitement surrounding Obama to that of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
“I grew up watching these guys, and they had their dreams,” Davis said. “Obama’s here in our lifetime. He can do good things for this country, and if he can do that, he can do good things for this world. And I had to be here to see this.”
By Inauguration Day, Davis and Harris had joined millions of others to witness the swearing-in ceremony. As early as 3 a.m., crowds flooded D.C. area Metro train stations from the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland.
At the Capitol South station, people were jammed so tightly that no one could move for at least 20 minutes. Looking down the steps into the subway station, thousands could be seen shuffling off of trains and up onto the streets.
In line at a security checkpoint, Tony W. Morris, a photographer from Houston, expressed frustration at what he called a “completely disorganized mess.” At 6 a.m., Morris was ushered through a media security check only to be told that his ticket wasn’t valid.
Later, he returned to the Rayburn House building for yet another security shakedown.
“Man this is terrible,” Morris said. “I’ve been here, waiting for hours, I’ve been through these check points and now I’m doing this again. And for what? I just want to get where I need to be.”
Though frustration mounted for Morris and others throughout the day, the spirit of the ceremony stayed with them.
“I’m here to see history,” Morris said. “I’m here to take pictures of history. I’m not gonna let this get me down.”
Jan. 20
Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.
Jan. 20
An early Inauguration Day view of the Capitol.
This is the presidential podium. I snapped this photo before the ceremony began.
Jan. 20
What a day. I’m bone tired, probably more tired than I’ve ever been in my life. I woke up at 3 a.m. and braved hours-long lines for the Metro train to get to D.C., only to wait five more hours to find my seat.
Security checks were a nightmare. Apparently the powers that be issued more tickets than could be honored, though mine wasn’t one of them, thankfully. There were also reports of police brandishing batons and threatening people.
I witnessed a bit of police brashness myself. They make it very clear in D.C. who is in charge. Here’s a hint. It isn’t us.
Sirens chirped all over the city today, and motorcades whipped in and out of lanes speeding the opposite way on one-way streets — complete chaos.
The event itself was great. I had a birds-eye view of the ceremonies on the steps of the Capitol, though a tele-prompter prevented me from getting the money shot of Obama that I wanted.
I can say that I have never experienced anything like this event in my life, and I know I never will again.
Jan. 20
The crowd booed the now-former president as he departed the ceremoines. Sort of a sad way to say goodbye. Chants rang out, “Sha-na-na-na, Sha-na-na-na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye.”
I took this picture with at least a twinge of sympathy in my heart for Mr. Bush.
Jan. 20
I couldn’t resist taking this picture of Dustin Hoffman and Samuel L. Jackson, who embraced one another just before the Inauguration ceremonies began Tuesday. I came within hand shaking distance of Hoffman before being turned away by Capitol Police.
Also, M.C. Hammer stood two rows behind me. I wanted so badly to ask him to sing “Hammer Time.” But somehow I thought that might be inappropriate.
Jan. 20
Photographers lucky enough to be perched high above the ceremony vie for the perfect shot.
Jan. 19
A group of Obama well wishers stands on the lawn near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. Signs, banners and buttons emblazoned with “Obama” are commonplace here leading up to Inauguration Day.
Jan. 19
Finding my way around the Metro this morning was easier than expected. The trains whisk riders down the center of the interstate system at 65 miles per hour, then disappear into deep gorges beneath the city.
I emerged from the tunnels right by the U.S. Capitol this morning, and will do the same in just a few hours from now. As I type this it’s 9 p.m. Eastern Time, and Jennifer and I are planning to be at the Metro station by 4 a.m.
All is well in D.C. We’ll see how bad the crowds are tomorrow, though.
Jan. 19
Thousands of chairs are neatly aligned in front of the U.S. Capitol building on Monday.
Jan. 19
Jan. 19
Lunch at the Newseum. If you’re ever there, order the Lobster sandwich, above.
I’m sitting at the Newseum headquarters near the U.S. Capitol in D.C. right now. Internet connections have been tough to find. I have pictures and will upload them soon. Crowds are not as intense today as they will be tomorrow, but there are thousands of people milling about on the National Mall.
We picked up our tickets and credentials today at the Senate building at U.S. Rep. Mike Ross’ office. I met several people with Arkansas ties and will offer more on that later. People from across the world are here.
Jan. 18
It’s 11 a.m. Eastern time and we just made it to the D.C. area. Now it’s time to figure out logistics, as in how we’re going to get into D.C. tomorrow and on Tuesday. It’ll either be a bus or a train. But judging from the debacle today after the concert at the Lincoln Memorial, taking the train may not be an option.
National Public Radio reported waits of more than 4 hours on some train platforms.
Time is tight, and sleep is even tighter right now. Sometimes working on adrenaline is the best thing to do.
Along the route, we saw moderate snow at times through eastern and central Virginia. The temperature right now is hovering just above 20 degrees, but with mostly clear skies.
Next stop, Capitol Hill.
Jan. 17
Yesterday I talked with two El Dorado High School students who are traveling to the inauguration with the Upward Bound program. Around 13 students are going with a group from South Arkansas Community College.
Dominique Smith and I’Eishia Shephard speak openly and candidly about their trip and president-elect Barack Obama.
Jan. 16
I didn’t realize the importance of earmuffs until planning my trip to D.C. I’ve never really owned a pair, but I thought I’d better buy some to keep my ear lobes from icing. I’m not taking the kind reminiscent of a set of 1970s-era headphones, you know the ones with the radio antenna built in?
I have a sleek set that fit behind the head, so they’re hardly noticeable. I didn’t wanna look like a complete goober on a national stage.
Tonight I’m planning to pack little snacks in baggies — they’ll be squirreled away inside my winter coat. There won’t be any food options when I’m standing in the frigid morning air, and everything you take must be transparent, making big bags of trail mix a no-no.
The bathroom situation is also looking very iffy. Thousands of portable toilets have been set up, but I’ve been told that they likely will only be available well outside of the security perimeter. I guess the things could be rigged up as a bombs, who knows.
Jan. 15
This is the first of many video blog entries I will be making en route to the inauguration.
Jan. 15
Security officials are saying that though there are no credible threats against the president or his inaugural ceremonies, security will be at its “highest ever” level in and around Washington D.C. They are, however, warning about stampedes because of the thick crowds that are likely to stand along the National Mall.
The inauguration has been labeled a “global event” by organizers, and I fully expect that this will be the first real pilgrimage to D.C. since the infamous March on Washington, organized in the 1960s by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I’m leaving early Sunday morning. Click here for more security details.
Jan. 14
Los Angeles artist Shepard Fairey has created this striking poster to honor president-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. Click here for details on how to order it. Cost is $20.
Jan. 12
Jennifer and I got together this weekend to hash out more plans for the trip. The Democrat-Gazette will be rolling out a spiffy blog for her, and they’re also sending a photographer and several other people.
I think we’re ready. I have my equipment in check and am hoping that Internet service will be reliable. Now if the weather will cooperate we may be set.
I’ve never been to D.C., so stops at area attractions will be a must. Visiting local institutions like Ben’s Chili Bowl — shown below — is without question a top priority. I’ve heard many love stories about their chili dogs.
Jennifer and I have decided not to go to any inauguration balls since we’ll likely be writing well into the evening. Besides, packing a suit of formal wear would only add to the confusion. I am a little worried about dealing with the cold and a cumbersome coat and headgear.
This is the event of a lifetime, so I’ll manage.
On Sunday, security officials had an official “run through” of inaugural events. Below is a video. A U.S. Marine acted as the Obama stand-in, and other personnel portrayed Obama’s daughters and wife.
Jan. 11
The early morning sky brightens on the West Front of the Capitol during a rehearsal for the Inauguration Ceremony in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009.
Military personnel on the West Front of the Capitol during a rehearsal for the Inauguration Ceremony in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009.
Jan. 9, 2008
I just received an e-mail from the U.S. Senate Press Gallery, which issues credentials to the inauguration, and I have been granted an all-access pass to sit on the official press platform right by the swearing in stand. I called to see just how close I would be and was told “it’s very close.”
I am planning photographs and stories for both Between Editions and the News-Times, be sure.
Jennifer and I also have an official place to stay now, so at least I won’t be sleeping in a car or a bar.
Now to find very warm clothes… .
Jan. 8, 2009
Security officials in Washington are telling those attending the inauguration to expect crushing crowds, little chance for restroom breaks, bone-chilling temperatures, waits of three or more hours to get into the gates and complete and total gridlock.
And I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this event.
I’ve set up this special blog so that everyone can see and experience it with me. I will (hopefully) be posting videos and definitely pictures and a lot of text to this blog during the inauguration. I’m ready to roll.
