Obamania, D.C.
If President-elect Barack Obama really wants to put a dent in that federal deficit, he might consider coming up with a license deal for his own image. The streets of this city, where the population is 56% African-American, are taking on the feel of London before a royal wedding.
Sidewalk stands that normally sell umbrellas and souvenirs are now hawking all kinds of Obama-themed merchandise: hats, t-shirts, posters. The same is true of store windows all over downtown. Congressional offices report being swamped by requests for tickets to the inauguration. (And the local hotels are offering packages that can top $200,000 for a four-night stay, a chauffeur-driven Maserati and daily spa treatments.) Meanwhile, the locals are suddenly hearing from friends and relatives everywhere. As the Post reported this weekend:
In Mitchellville, Elease Houston's nephew called from Atlanta. In Georgetown, Kyle Gibson received an e-mail from a buddy looking for a bunk. And in Northwest Washington, Astrid Trinh fielded calls from loved ones in four different European countries.
"My house has turned into a bed-and-breakfast for the inauguration," said Trinh, 46, an administrative legal assistant at a Virginia law firm. "I've got people coming from Belgium, France, Switzerland and Spain. I think there will be about 15. . . . I told people they could come and I'll figure out the beds later."
Just a reminder, if you are headed our way: Dress warmly. The national mall can be pretty cold in January.
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1
I thought DC came out with 98% support for Obama or something ridiculous like that.
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Of course, this was on CNN so they might have had only 2% of polls reporting in.
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Keeping that in mind, think of how things in the city would have been if McCain got elected. -
2
But swampcritters can stay at the Tumulty home, right? Can I borrow a toothbrush?
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3
People actually excited about the incoming President. How about that?
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4
I live in northern virginia and have 3 friends who are just as adamant as me about getting into the inauguration. Obviously the begging of our congressmen is well underway. Just don't be surprised if the metro completely melts down.
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5
Considering Bush's approval rating, having a President that people actually LIKE is going to take some getting used to.
I can't imagine a problem I'd rather have!
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6
Pierogie, I thought KT lived in Texas. Bit of a stretch to go from there to DC...
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7
My mom lives in D.C. on Hawaii Ave. Need to give her a call.
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8
The choice for me is between dorm room floor and calling up my cousin's step-grandmother. Awkward.
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9
I thought KT lived in Texas. Bit of a stretch to go from there to DC...
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OK then. I'll bring my own toothbrush. -
10
KT here--
I am originally am from Texas, but do indeed live near DC and its wonderful subway system. Pierogie: Would you mind Swampkid #1's upper bunk? We also have an aerobed.
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11
KT here--
Oops. Extra "am." Preview would be my friend, if we still had it.
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12
KT,
Aerobed. Definitely.
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13
"...aerobed."
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KT:
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At the risk of being dense as well as snatching an opportunity to generate some humor, I have to say this:
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Of course we all know that the Republicans didn't win, but but really, beds do not fly! -
14
pierogielunaire (formerly superterrificdelegate):
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Oops. You were quicker on the draw than I was... -
15
You think if I rent out some of my bedrooms I could compete with the DC hotels?
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16
Dam you, pierogie-man. I could've had dibs...
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17
No one has claimed the upper bunk yet, Mr. Nice Guy.
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18
[...] Time’s Karen Tumulty has some sage advice for those who plan to attend… Just a reminder, if you are headed our way: Dress warmly. The [...]
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19
I cannot make any promises-- I may already be overfilled with people I know in real life. But please email me, eelvisberg at yahoo, if you're looking for a place in DC and have a sleeping bag...
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Holy cow, Amy Goodman on CNN. Just pointed out that the WH was built by slaves, will now be inhabited by people descended from slaves. Wow. A different world. -
20
[...] hear that people are desperately trying to find places to stay in DC for the inauguration. Fear not! Andrew is here to help you [...]
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21
The real question is... how far away from DC can you be and still possibly make money off of renting your extra bedrooms?
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Over or under 30 minutes? -
22
I'm staying here ,but my sister and brother-in-law are crashing my nephew in MD. I wonder how many millions are planning to fit in the mall. This reminds me of the Red Sox in 04. They need to put the President on a duck boat and run him around the potomic. All of us who want to see this are seriously not going to fit.
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Are there plans, do we know, to install giant screens all around DC for the Inaugural?
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The commenters at Mudflats formed various local groups. Somebody ought to plan a Swamplanders reunion in D.C. I might have to reconsider not coming.... -
23
uses - depends on how close you are to the metro.
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24
Do you think GOP congress critters will have tickets? I live on an all red state.
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25
answer to my own question is yes. My rep Bob Inglis has a first come wait list on his web site.
- ktumulty New Blog Entry, "Anthem Blue Cross Makes The Case For Health Reform" - http://tinyurl.com/yab3hjs - 1 hour ago
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