Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Inauguration Day Crowd Estimate Reduced by Half
WaPo Whopper ^ | Today | Mary Beth Sheridan

Posted on 12/22/2008 6:07:48 AM PST by jessduntno

By Mary Beth Sheridan Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, December 22, 2008

Officials are casting doubt on an early projection that 4 million to 5 million people could jam downtown Washington on Inauguration Day, saying it is more likely that the crowd will be about half that size.

D.C. authorities said the earlier estimates, provided by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), were based on speculation surrounding the historic nature of the swearing-in of Barack Obama as the nation's first African American president. After weeks of checking with charter bus companies, airlines and other sources, they're reassessing.

"It's more of an art than a science," City Administrator Dan Tangherlini said. "The fact is, earlier it was speculation. Now we're beginning to flesh it out and what the physical capacities of the system are."

The Secret Service has dismissed the high-end estimates of 4 million to 5 million people. But there is universal agreement among security officials and planners that massive numbers of people will flock to the swearing-in of Obama (D), who had drawn huge campaign crowds.

Turnout could easily reach 2 million, officials said, far outstripping the 400,000 who attended the 2005 inauguration of President Bush. Although it is possible that 5 million people will descend on the area in the days leading up to the inauguration, it appears unlikely that trains and local roads could get them all to the Mall and parade route Jan. 20, officials said.

Jawauna Greene, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Transit Administration, said that inaugural planning committees had initially considered up to 6 million attendees.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said the most recent estimates she has gotten from the Presidential Inaugural Committee and federal and local officials project between 1.5 million and 3 million people.

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


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: bhoinauguration; ego; fenty; inflated; numbers; phony
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-65 next last
To: bmwcyle

“The hype of the 10,000 man march.”

He lost the gays because of Rick Warren, so there will be no million man sashay...


21 posted on 12/22/2008 6:24:20 AM PST by jessduntno (Barack - Kenyan for "High Wind, Big Thunder, No Rain")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Las Vegas Ron

“That quote was exactly what I had in mind when I posted.
I’m blanking though, was that FDR or Teddy?”

Sorry, I cut off the lead in:

Hyphenated American is phrase coined or popularized by Theodore Roosevelt in a 1915 speech to the Knights of Columbus. Roosevelt said:


22 posted on 12/22/2008 6:25:48 AM PST by jessduntno (Barack - Kenyan for "High Wind, Big Thunder, No Rain")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

It just may be possible that recent headlines are already having a halo-tarnishing effect.

Also, many less-affluent people are re-thinking if they can take the time off and afford the travel and hotel bills in light of the current situation.

Also, a significant portion of said fans may be unable to fight their way through the snowdrifts outside their doors or the ice on their streets and sidewalks...


23 posted on 12/22/2008 6:26:48 AM PST by sinanju
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

Let’s get a pot going - will the Obamas walk any distance at all, and if so, how far, in blocks?

My bet: They will walk less than one block, if any at all. Mee-shell MaBell is terrified of an assassination, and she wears the pants in that family.

I’m in for one cyber-dollar.


24 posted on 12/22/2008 6:27:11 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

They need rock bands and oceans of free beer to get the attendance up.


25 posted on 12/22/2008 6:27:30 AM PST by Fresh Wind (Hey, Obama! Where's my check?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno
Yeah, I just found it on Boortz's site.

FFDR wouldn't have had the huevos to say that, I should have known better. Thanks!

26 posted on 12/22/2008 6:27:51 AM PST by Las Vegas Ron (The tree of liberty is getting mighty dry)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand
It’s gonna rain leeches or something...

No the leeches will already be there in attendance. They will be waiting for all of our taxpayer dollars to rain down from the sky.

27 posted on 12/22/2008 6:28:24 AM PST by mplsconservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: anniegetyourgun

It’ll probably rain frogs and the Potomac will turn to blood.


28 posted on 12/22/2008 6:29:30 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Resist the Obamination!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Fresh Wind

“They need rock bands and oceans of free beer to get the attendance up.”

There used to be a country rock band called Free Beer and Chicken...made for some interesting signs and disappointed crowds...that would be a giggle...hey I’m putting the band back together for a gig in DC...


29 posted on 12/22/2008 6:30:35 AM PST by jessduntno (Barack - Kenyan for "High Wind, Big Thunder, No Rain")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

Washington DC is full of Gays. They will be their just for the party.


30 posted on 12/22/2008 6:31:46 AM PST by bmwcyle (McCain had no honor when he failed to defend Sarah Palin, Leno was not enough)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: exit82
Compare 'their' estimate of the inaugural crowd with the real numbers of the annual Right to Life march, held every January!

No matter how many thousands attend the pro-life event, the media lowballs it & are stingy with pictures.

Every single year.

Significant that the most abortion minded President's inaugural we've ever had will be followed 2 days later by the recognition of 36 years of abortion.

Maybe....just maybe....because we have allowed 36 years of abortion resulting in 50 million unborn babies dying... we have a Barack Hussein Obama who hasn't met an abortion he doesn't approve of.

31 posted on 12/22/2008 6:32:09 AM PST by Guenevere
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: doodad
Is it wrong for me to hope for freezing rain and sleet?

I read that carrying an umbrella is prohibited along the parade route (security violation). Freezing rain and sleet sounds perfect to me.

32 posted on 12/22/2008 6:32:12 AM PST by gieriscm (07 FFL / 02 SOT - www.extremefirepower.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

Maybe people are calling in gay...


33 posted on 12/22/2008 6:33:56 AM PST by NeoConfederate
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno
Free concert? Free food?

If not, the Obamites are the types that would make you leave your valuables at home if you're standing amongst them......

34 posted on 12/22/2008 6:35:54 AM PST by traditional1 ("The American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

I think folks are paying attention to the recent increase in “global warming” and opting to stay home. They don’t want to risk getting sunburn.


35 posted on 12/22/2008 6:36:35 AM PST by LiberConservative ("I can see upstate from my house!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mrmargaritaville

“I’m hoping that it will either be 33 degrees and a freezing rain all day or 3 degrees and bitter cold”

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.


36 posted on 12/22/2008 6:37:15 AM PST by bricklayer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

What???? Is the “government” of Kenya also banning the Obama relatives from attending (what with multiple wives there ought to be thousands of first cousins alone.)


37 posted on 12/22/2008 6:41:15 AM PST by zerosix (native sunflower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

Anybody gotta link to the long range weather forecast for Jan 20?


38 posted on 12/22/2008 6:47:19 AM PST by upchuck (Get ready for 2009: Pray; Raise/conserve cash; Pay your debts; Pray; Stockpile; Buy ammo; Pray)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno
Translation: The Obama gubmint debit cards to pay travel expenses for all the freeloaders are not going to be mailed on time.

"You don't expect us to attend the inauguration at our own expense, do you?"

39 posted on 12/22/2008 6:49:38 AM PST by NoControllingLegalAuthority
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

They’ll blame the lack of interest on the rotten economy...which is Bush’s fault, of course.


40 posted on 12/22/2008 6:51:05 AM PST by kittymyrib
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-65 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson