[...] There have been no official word on steps that will be taken to accommodate a full mall which CNN estimates to be 1 million people. Sounds like another million man (and woman) march that day. [...]

For those whiners about there should not be any party or celebration.
Do you know what, the whole world is watching.
This is an opportunity to bring back a positive light to your country.
Something that got loss along the way with your current president (GW)
They will be a party and if you don’t like it, don’t go and don’t’ watch TV
Simples as that…Duh!!

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW December 4th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

THIS REALLY SHOWS YOU WHAT THIS COUNTRY HAS BECOME!!!!

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Huh? What?? You are another sour person, constantly full of only negativity on these blogs. Just as "Empty Suit" something must have happened in your life to turn you to such a dour outlook on everything.

Or perhaps you simply enjoy coming back in and reading all the reponses you get…

Either way, could you please check your Caps Lock at the door?

Barack has been spendthrift all along. As for me, they should not have any celebration because country is going through bad economic times. We need all the money possible to bring our economy back on the burner. Barack wants to have a big celebration because he has not spent any of his money. He is using our money for everything.

Watch it on C-SPAN for advertisement-less viewing and you don't have to listen to CNN reporters yap-yap-yap on about little they know about.

Then if you want after-inaug commentary, you can switch. Besides, on C-SPAN they don't have the delay and often show before-the-show extra stuff.

CNN won't post this….I bet'cha!

Washington is a great city. The mall is fitting because it's where Dr. King gave his "I Have A Dream Speach". I know the city will be filled to the brim with spectators and why not–it's historical.

Kudos to Barack for pulling off the greatest election in my life time. I don't think we'll ever see anything like it again.

God is good allt he time..He opens doors for everyone to get a chance and I am glad about it. May God protect Obama and his entire staff and MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

<> You have issues.

It's a great and smart move letting establishments have special hours in DC from the 17th to 21st.

The bars are only staying open 2 hours later so stop throwing an immature McCain lost hissy fit over people drinking. It's only the restaurants that are allowed to stay open 24 hours for food and non-alcoholic drinks.

I live in DC and am happy tourists will have options during their visit to our fantastic city.

This is ALL a bunch of crap!

I am trying to figure out how to buy food this month.

Ostentatiousness is a sin at this time–we are in recession if not depression.

BUT I am not surprised…….

Welcome to the Obama Show:

You are a serious idiot who needs some help.

Oh and I did take my time to research McCain & Obama, which is why I voted for Obama. But I love how haters such as yourself believe that you are the only ones who research the candidates.

A transition team loaded with lobbyists…a cabinet loaded with entrenched Washington politicians…yep, change you can believe in.

No one has ever complained about any other presidents inauguration why now are so many people concerned about what is being spent???

Ahhh — leading the lambs to the slaughter. Hang on to your wallets!! You think you're broke now — just wait

You all are aware that the Bush administration has been trying to CLOSE the mall to all demonstrations, peaceful protests, and groups of any kind? I am glad to see that the voices of the people were heard and the Park Service will allow millions to see this great event.
How can anyone STILL be pro-Bush when the country is on the verge of collapse caused by his lies and spending and evil behavior? Tell me, how could Obama possibly do anything but help? Is Fox Noise so powerful that you take Glenn Beck and O'Reilly's fear-mongering shows as truth? I saw a former Clinton aide on last night trashing Obama's choices as 'dangerous." But it's OK that Bush tortures people? That isn't dangerous to our captured servicemen? That isn't a prime recruiting tool for al-qaeda? Wake up, please. Maybe do some research of your own…there are fact checking neutral sites, you know.

"Welcome to the Obama show" your an idiot and just can't stand progress. I hear that Bush is looking for a job why don't you let him handle your finances. Or, you can still move to Alaska there a villiage up there without a idiot.

12:59 I posted and it is still "awaiting moderation" One much later that tells someone to go to H@#$ is right there at the top. Give me a break—do my comments make you at CNN Republiphobic???? Take the moderation comment off my comments, please.

To Obama Show:

Wait, what? This shows… what? This isn't even about his administration or policies. It's not even slightly negative! It just shows that a lot of people want to be at the inauguration. What gives?

I think it's fantastic that so many want to "be there" for Obama…for a presidential inauguration. Not one reserved for the wealthy who can afford to get there…but for anyone who fully supports this new presidency.

It's great!

What a waste of money!!!

Doesn't anyone get it? We are in the middle of the worst economic crisis with millions of people losing their homes, companies shutting down and people losing their jobs.

This is NOT THE TIME TO HAVE A LAVISH INAUGURATION PARTY.

That money could be used to help those that are really struggling.

Why not show us that you understand what's going on and stop spending money on this HUGE PARTY while the rest of us are starving and homeless.

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW – Maybe next time you will do some research instead of putting a complete idiot in office for 8 yrs…You should go straight to hell with GW Bush.

Please disengage your caps lock. Thanks.

office.

Today, even his supporters at The New York Times acknowledged that Obama has no intention of withdrawing all troops immediately from Iraq:

On the campaign trail, Senator Barack Obama offered a pledge that electrified and motivated his liberal base, vowing to “end the war” in Iraq.

But as he moves closer to the White House, President-elect Obama is making clearer than ever that tens of thousands of American troops will be left behind in Iraq, even if he can make good on his campaign promise to pull all combat forces out within 16 months.

“I said that I would remove our combat troops from Iraq in 16 months, with the understanding that it might be necessary — likely to be necessary — to maintain a residual force to provide potential training, logistical support, to protect our civilians in Iraq,” Mr. Obama said this week as he introduced his national security team.

Thank GOD for Barack Obama. I know people make fun saying things like he's our "saviour" and "messiah" and all that, but seriously I think Mr. Obama is really going to fix everything. He has really good plans for all our problems as a nation, and I believe in him! I wonder if he's going to be able to pay off my mortgage!?!? How cool would THAT be??

He really is our saviour, make fun all you want, but he is and thank god for him.

Bitterness isn't attractive. Obama's election has brought out the ugly in so many sour-grape eaters.

I, too, will watch on TV – even if I lived in the area, I'd be able to see a lot more that way. True, the atmosphere will be exciting but I'll feel it nonetheless.

What an incredible event – for an incredible man.

And for those saying this is ego? This is a celebration of, and for those who WANT change and aren't afraid of differences. That – in and of itself – deserves a huge shindig!

I am so GLAD I am not a republican because I could not have that much HATE in my heart for anyone and then claim to be a christian, Thats amazing

THIS REALLY SHOWS YOU WHAT THIS COUNTRY HAS BECOME!!!!

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE 4 HARDEST/LONGEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAYBE NEXT TIME THE OBAMA SUPPORTERS WILL COMPLETE SOME RESEARCH ON WHO TO VOTE FOR!!!!!!!

I hope the staff of fox news will be watching. So they can see that there lies did not work.

I will be home watching this historical event on tv. Even if I lived in DC I still would not go, because of all of the traffic and so many people being there. I will be able to sit, be warm, and see everything on the channel I will be watching, I just hope that whichever news channel that I am watching the hosts will keep quiet and not analyze every detail, and hope that there are no commercials…

I am truly excited that Barack Obama is our President. Our Country needed Change and Change as Come. Thank God.

God Bless Barack Obama, his Family, and the United States…

To You folks that CANNOT come to terms that you have a BLACK PRESIDENT….I'm sorry to burst your bubble but you do & you will for the next eight years. Yes, his mother was caucasian & his father was BLACK but guess what….. That makes him a BLACK MAN. If he was an athlete in some sort of legal trouble you all would consider him Black …but since he's POTUS he Bi Racial now….. Wow, interesting. Some of you bloggers are just plain PLAIN OLD RIDICULOUS. How do you live with yourselves. You will learn to LOVE your POTUS… Barack HUSSEIN Obama the 1st & CERTAINLY WONT BE LAST BLACK PRESIDENT. LIKE RICK JAMES WOULD SAY " IT'S A CELEBRATION B—–'S"

To those implying that DC is making special rules just for the inauguration, they are most likely doing it because of what will surely be pent up demand by tourists, after begging and pleas by the service industry which has been hard hit by this economic downturn.

Personally, this is a big waste of time and money. For crying out loud, its just another black family moving into government housing.

bi-racial please the man is black; up until Obama's election we (bi-racial) have been called blacked now that Obama is president he is suddenly bi-racial; check out the census there is no race bi-racial it is black; also wasn't it white America who made the law if you have 1 oz of black blood you are considered black; so please don't try and rain on our parade…

As a DC resident, I am looking forward to the event and know that this will be great for our city's economy. I don't see why people are complaining about how "much" should be spent celebrating the inauguration. Not only is it an historical event but it is NOT taxpayer money, it's not like hes taking a cruise to Thailand or something. They are spending the money in America, and you guessed it, that creates American jobs.

To empty suit, empty promises…

quit drinking the hateraid

It is beyond me why anyone would waste a penny in this economy to go see 'The ONE'. Must be a lot more people doing well than Obama said there was in his campaign.
A year from now, you won't find 100 people who will admit they went to see this loser.

I wish that i could be there, but i'll settle for watching the coverage on CNN with my family and friends.

we are going to party!!!

'Empty Suit', at no point during your rambling response did you approach anything that could be considered a rational thought. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul.

Seriously, trying to comprehend where you were going with that post gave me a headache. To be fair, I'm a DC resident and the ideas of bars staying open until 5-6 unnerves me. We already have enough drunken idiocy to go around, I'm not sure keeping the bars open will prove to be a good idea…

To empty suit, empty promises..

the message i'm getting is that it's going to be a big time party atmosphere, and with all the hotels booked, and people can't camp out on the mall…the bars will see high volume until the wee hours of the morning.

It also helps out the local economy keeping the bars open longer.

so quit drinking the hateraid

On this day things will change and im so glad to be able to see it .I would love to be there to feel the great feeling as a new leader take the seat ,we have been messed up for so long change is going to be GOOD!!!!!! GOD BLESS OUR NEW PRESIDENT !

I can't imagine 1 to 4 million people packed into that small area. But I am looking foward to watching the event on TV!!!

You know, this is going to be an amazing event and a great day in American history. Unfortunately, when you live in DC the tourists are bad enough, but now Im not going to be able to go anywhere NEAR downtown. Plus I have all these random people whom I havent spoken to in forever trying to stay at my house for the inaugaration. Seriously, tourists, PLEASE behave yourselves, and enjoy being part of history, and just maybe you could be considerate to the residents that have to endure this. Just a reminder I guess.

Aww George. What man doesn't have an ego. I know you sure wish you had one. He's confident unlike yourself. Maybe when you grow up you will be confident too.

Here's some Hatepoblicans doing what they do best!

If you are going to sweep the Mall that morning and then allow a million people in, that sounds like a Black Friday morning at Wal-Mart. Excited as I am about it, I'm setting up camp in the living room with CNN, snacks and friends and family.

Empty suit, empty promises December 4th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

"Why are we not hearing that DC is going to keep the bars open till 05:00 am for THREE days while the chosen one is coronated into his rightful throne?"

"Seriously, what kind of a message does that send, you peasants have to close down at 02:00 am, but the media annointed one is having a party, so pen up the spickets for three days and let's get lit everyone."
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First of all, CNN did have a link to this story yesterday (or perhaps it was MSNBC). Secondly, it is the DC businesses with the support of the mayor pushing for this to happen (and it is 3 straight days of 24 hours, not closing at 5 am). The businesses are the ones trying to make a profit on this, not Obama.

Wow, the space committed to the event is now about a tenth of the size of his ego.

I wounder if palin can watch this event from her house in Alaska?

This is certainly an historic event. I am trying best to be in the number. I want to record this in my book of "I was there when…"

there were so many people that voted for nobama just to see or make "history" and others that see him as the messiah, thinking that his goin to help the homeless mother feeding her baby out of a trash can or "save" america. nobamas presidency is goin to be the exact opposite of serendipity, no change, more of the same washington insiders and the people that voted for him just dont know it. he pandered change, and over 65 million dum-@$$es believed that sucker. so go on ahead and defend your false prophet.

It's good to be king

I wish i could be there but it's going to soooo crazy I better watch it on my plasma. it's probably be a better view anyways. Sorry Obama, but you know I have nothin' but 'ove for you ya!

Yes. DC will be fantastic. Will definitely be out there.

Where will the Kool-Aid stands be set up so everyone can take a big drink?

Sincerely,
Jim Jones

I will be watching it from my nice warm house. It sure will be some event.

I have been reading these blogs and the mean spirit makes pity some of you. I will be praying that god help to open your hearts and minds and he grant the the grace to not be treated in your own way.

Can't wait to be in the number. Hopefully I will get a chance to view the Big Screen

I will be there and I am excited!!!!!

that will be cool and good enough space

hey "empty suit"
guess who annointed him. your fellow 62+ million citizens, not the media. nice try though. go back to fox noise, and have a good ole o'reilly rant! HAHA

To: Empty suit – The message is that they have safety concernes such as maybe not wanting a lot of drunk people driving at 5:00AM in the morning just before rush hour. You are reading too much into this. There is no "peasent" verses "media" rift going on. Are you a bar owner by chance, or just a bitter person with nothing of substance to complain about?

FOR THE GUY WEARING THE EMPTY SUIT:

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE BARS BEING OPENED TILL 5:00AM, YOU WON'T BE THERE………………HAHA

Empty suit: Prohibition ended in the United States in 1933… get over it.

Truly. Get something positive to do with your life. It is a historical event. There will be a lot of people. Money will be made. Get over it.

To: Empty Suit, Empty Promises…..Empty Head

Good; so will my TV set (LOL); it's going to CRAZIIIIIIIIIIIE to say the least in W.D.C.; but I'm glad to the see eveyone in America is VERY happy about our new President. This country isn't so bad after-all.

To the fellow talkng about the closing times for bars in DC. People have to have places to go brother. It's just a fact. People like bars. People are going to be packed into the city like sardines at night. It opens more sleeping space if someone stays out celebrating. I get your point. Mine is that it's not a big deal. Do you want to forbid alcohol and bars or just ruin people's spirits? Relax. No one is reporting on it because no one really cares. Think about it. Media isn't tailored to you or anyone elses views entirely. It'd also be a bad idea if it were.

This is democracy, small "d". Millions of people participated in the democratic process for the first time. Opening up the Mall to those who wish to further participate is a good thing, and since it is owned by all Americans makes all the sense in the world.

President – Elect Obama is the chosen one: chosen by almost 70 million people as the next President. That's the way it works.

I choose to think about the challenges we face as a country and as a people, and how we can face and surmount those challenges.

The only thing sour grapes make is good whine.

Empty suit, empty promises December 4th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

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What a sour, pessimistic view you have on life. Every post you have placed on these blogs has been full of negativity. I wonder what has happened in your life to create such a dour person.

If it is simply the outcome of the elections, think of it this way: This administration will last only 8 years (at most) and then you will have the opportunity to elect a replacement.

In the meantime, cheer up! Things could be worse: You could be living in a third world country like Darfur right now , being forcefully displaced without a home, food, or clean water to drink. Be thankful you live in a country where you can continually make such disparaging remarks without legal retribution.

Will Obama's empty suit be there with him?

The "empty suit, empty promise" blogger get over the fact the election did not go the way you wanted. 66 million people decided they believed Obama is the one for this time in our country. Whether or not you supported him he is going to be our President on January 20th. All of the people who are involved in the inaguaration preparation or planning understand the historic nature, and want to accomodate the millions who will be on hand. It will certainly stimulate the economy in DC and surrounding areas. I believe people can be celebratory without being wasted. I think it will be a scene much like what we saw at Grant Park. There will be those who will indulge but they will be in the minority.

I am not sure about to much partying it could turn into a mess. On the other hand I think due to what we have gone through for the last eight years we deserve to celebrate.

In these economic times, this is obcene.

Wow, what an honor….

to empty suit empty promises:

Get a life!!

I hope that we will get the change to see the first bi-racial president get out of the car and shake a few hands, but I am sure, because of safety that would not be a good ideal.

i wonder if the tourist are going to get sprayed before they can go in. we sure donot what to smell like a tourist , right harry. where is the coverage of this ? oh, i forgot he is a dem leader""""

WOO-HOO!! I can hardly wait–oh, but no, I won't even be watching on TV. I will be WORKING that day. Can hardly stand the thoughts of it anyway.

Go ahead and take a swim in the Reflecting Pool….they supposedly cleaned it a few years ago.

ESEP—

The message is "our long national nightmare is over".

Get real—this is about what it is always about: commerce.

The economy is tanked and this is a way for Washington to try to make some money off of the deal.

Empty suit-

….huh? If bar owners want to stay open until 5 a.m. then so be it, if they want to close I'm sure they can do that too. Increasing business and business hours is actually good for the economy believe it or not. I for one will be happy to buy myself and others some beers well into the morning to celebrate this fantastic occasion.

Yes these are troubling times, but what kind of message does it send if Obama orders everyone to sit at home and not celebrate because he believes can't afford it? No worthy economist will suggest that.

I'm excited to support our new President and I am excited to celebrate his inauguration.

I will see you all in D.C. The first round is on me.

"empty suit"… The election is over, man. Your guy lost. However, your constant whining isn't going to change the fact that Obama will take office and lead the country in a new direction. I had to accept Gore's loss. It's time for you to move on and hope for the best.

Once a rock star, always a rock star. Let's hope Al Queda isn't geared up to take advantage of the biggest target we could ever give them.

Comment for Empty suit, empty promises: Get a life.

If you are claustrophobic, don't go there!

The Mall can not hold all the people that will be there on 1/20/09. People are going to be packed in like sardines. Pretty similar to an Obama rally.

What if it Snows? It happened before.

Why are we not hearing that DC is going to keep the bars open till 05:00 am for THREE days while the chosen one is coronated into his rightful throne?

Don't they know the Kennedy's are going to be there and they and alcohol don't exactly "get along".

Seriously, what kind of a message does that send, you peasants have to close down at 02:00 am, but the media annointed one is having a party, so pen up the spickets for three days and let's get lit everyone.

What kind of message is that sending?

Think about it.

Meanwhile, Bush will slink out the back door of the White House and be taken by chopper to his daddy's house.

Nice gesture to accommodate the crowds but it will be a security nightmare to say the least……behave people.

Cool!

Shopping?

This is fantabulous! I cannot wait! I hope they are planning to have all the metro trains up and running at max capacity.

What a traffic and security mess. Think I'll stay home and watch it on tv.