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GOP begging Democrats for inauguration tickets
Chicago Sun Times ^ | December 29, 2004 | JESSE J. HOLLAND

Posted on 12/29/2004 7:46:04 AM PST by AmericanMade1776

It's one of the hottest tickets in Washington this winter, and unlike most of the parties planned for President Bush's second inauguration, it's free and the dress is come-however-you-can-stay-warm. But getting one of the 250,000 tickets to Bush's swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol won't be easy, particularly for people from so-called red states that voted Republican in November.

For most people, the only way they can get a ticket is through their senator or representative and the demand for them in GOP-majority states is running high.

Each senator, regardless of party, gets 400 tickets to distribute. House members get about 200 apiece. To meet the demand, Republican lawmakers are asking Democrats for their leftovers, since not that many Democrats plan to make the trip.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) already has more than 1,000 requests -- some for more than 50 tickets apiece. And it's not just in Texas.

''We have requests for over 500 tickets,'' said Sarah Moore, spokeswoman for Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.).

To fill the demand, the winning party inevitably turns to the losers -- and asks nicely for the extra tickets.

For example, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts -- the Democratic challenger Bush defeated -- had only about 220 requests for tickets last week.

His Massachusetts colleagues are seeing just about the same amount of interest. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) expects to have some tickets left over, which he said he will give to some of his Republican colleagues. ''He's happy to help when he can,'' Frank spokesman Peter Kovar said.

The inauguration will be a big day for Supreme Court watchers: Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, 80, is to swear in Bush as his first public appearance since he announced Oct. 25 that he has thyroid cancer. AP

(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bush; inauguration
How Marvellous!
1 posted on 12/29/2004 7:46:04 AM PST by AmericanMade1776
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To: AmericanMade1776
That's how I got in to see Nixon's inaugration ceremony by going to a 'rat Senator's office in 1969.

Snuck in the back after and shook hands with HHH and his wife, stood next to Governor Reagan has he was being interviewed by Mike Wallace and was hassled in line by then cub reporter Sam Donaldson.

2 posted on 12/29/2004 7:54:48 AM PST by Semper Paratus
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To: Semper Paratus

That is so cool. Did you watch the Inauguration Parade that year, because My sister's High School Band marched in the parade?


3 posted on 12/29/2004 8:00:12 AM PST by AmericanMade1776 ( The Year of Freeping Dangerously)
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To: AmericanMade1776
Did you watch the Inauguration Parade that year

We stayed at the Capitol to watch the officials leave for the Parade and got to be the first private citizen to wave at the new President who waved back.

4 posted on 12/29/2004 8:02:45 AM PST by Semper Paratus
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To: Semper Paratus

I just love being in the center of events , like that...way cool.


5 posted on 12/29/2004 8:17:16 AM PST by AmericanMade1776 ( The Year of Freeping Dangerously)
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