inauguration

Stories 181 - 200 | << Prev   Next >>

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...

Inaugural Bibles: Past Presidential Picks

Lincoln provided the Bible, but Obama must turn to others for verse ideas

(Newser) - As Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office Tuesday with his hand on the Lincoln Bible, the Wall Street Journal offers a sample of the Bibles other presidents have chosen—and the passages they've chosen to open them to. Eisenhower, Carter, and Bush Sr. took their oaths on...

Marketers Have Inauguration Fever, Too

Companies tie products, events to Obama's big day

(Newser) - Marketers for products from cognac to commemorative coins are looking to cash in on Barack Obama’s Tuesday inauguration, the New York Times reports. “Obamabilia” includes bottles of Hennessy with a “44” on the label, special magazine issues, and Tshirts galore. Other companies, like Quaker Oatmeal, are hosting...

Celeb Chef Plans Inaugural Fete
 Celeb Chef Plans Inaugural Fete 

Celeb Chef Plans Inaugural Fete

(Newser) - Alice Waters is heading to Washington, and the inauguration eve dinner prepared by one of the country's highest-profile chefs is one of the capital’s hottest tickets, the Huffington Post reports. The Chez Panisse founder says she hopes the event will highlight her advocacy of local food and communal eating....

Hot Tickets Lead to Inaugural Scalping

Congress not pleased with Inaug. scalping

(Newser) - DC’s hottest tickets are to Tuesday's Inauguration, and with only 240,000 available, scalped tickets are starting to show up on Craigslist, Politico reports. Says an economist, “You can’t stop supply and demand.” But congressional offices, which distribute the tickets, are trying. “It’s the...

Inaugural to Cost Record $160M
 Inaugural to Cost Record $160M 

Inaugural to Cost Record $160M

Obama raising $45M in private funds to help pay massive bill

(Newser) - By the time Barack and Michelle Obama dance the last waltz at the inaugural balls in the wee hours next Wednesday morning, the total tab for the inauguration will be close to a record $160 million, reports the New York Daily News. The president-elect is raising $45 million in private...

Please, White Folks: Let Us Have DC for the Big Day

You've had 43 chances to see a white prez inaugurated, after all; how about a day of atonement?

(Newser) - A unique plea for keeping crowds manageable in Washington during Barack Obama's inaugural festivities next week gets an (admittedly tongue-in-cheek) airing from blogger Sister Toldja on Me, Myself An Eye: Stay home, white people. Sheer math, for one thing, should do it: "Chances whites have had to go see...

Inaugural Ball Flaunts Fashion Made of Trash

Cans, plastic bags, campaign signs make up 'trashion' lines

(Newser) - Stuck on what to wear to that upcoming Washington gala? How about a shower-curtain-and-aluminum-can cocktail dress? Or a canvas-scrap-and-rusty-nail gown? The actual “trashion,” created by recycling advocate Nancy Judd, will be showcased at Saturday’s Green Inaugural Ball, the Wall Street Journal reports. The fashionista even has a...

Beyoncé, Bono, Boss Headline Inaugural Show

Pop stars will share stage with jazz, opera legends at Lincoln Memorial

(Newser) - Two days before Barack Obama becomes president, 19 musicians will kick off the inaugural festivities with a free public concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Bruce Springsteen, Bono, and Beyoncé will perform alongside jazz legend Herbie Hancock and opera superstar Renée Fleming, Billboard reports. The concert, called We...

Openly Gay Bishop Tapped for Inauguration

Robinson will speak Sunday, has been critical of Warren

(Newser) - Barack Obama has asked Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the only openly gay Episcopal bishop, to deliver the invocation at the opening event of Inauguration Week, the Boston Globe reports. Robinson had been among those who criticized Obama for asking same-sex marriage opponent Rick Warren to deliver the main inaugural invocation.

J.Lo, Marc Belatedly Hop on Obama Wagon

Couple will appear at inaugural ball

(Newser) - J.Lo and Marc Anthony are jumping on the Obama bandwagon—and being dubbed “vile opportunists” for their trouble, the New York Post reports. Though the power couple snubbed him during the campaign, Anthony will sing and Lopez will speak at the Latino Inaugural Ball Jan. 18, leading one...

I, Barack Obama's Stand-In ...
 I, Barack Obama's Stand-In ... 

I, Barack Obama's Stand-In ...

Full scale rehearsal for inauguration features ersatz First Family

(Newser) - A full-scale rehearsal for Barack Obama's inauguration unfolded in Washington before dawn yesterday, featuring a stand-in first family. A 26-year-old Army staff sergeant took an ersatz oath of office while a Navy yeoman playing Michelle Obama looked on, reports the Washington Post. Two children played Malia and Sasha. Each character...

Stories 181 - 200 | << Prev   Next >>