January 17th, 2013
11:09 AM ET
10 years ago
By the Numbers: Presidential inaugurations
(CNN) - The oath, the speech, the crowds, the celebrities, the balls. Every four years Washington celebrates the start of another presidential term.
By the numbers, here's a look at presidential inaugurations:
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Oh, so NOW CNN magically finds some facts, numbers and historical record it would like to report on? Ha...but we're all left to do our own research when it comes to things like the budget or debt ceiling or tax policy? Someone should start a petition to just have Webster's and Oxford take the word "journalism" out of the dictionary.
If the weather is going to be freezing for the inauguration, as it sometimes is, perhaps they could move the beginning of the president's term to say, March 21. Some lucky president would have an additional two months added to his term and future inaugurations would be in decent if not pleasant weather.
Many of us have so many wonderful memories of his first inauguration.
I remember, for example, the loud and distinct booing of President Bush as he quickly scampered to his seat and the band started playing to drown it out.
This was followed by the frenzy of 1.8 million (conservative count)cheering attendees and 10's of thousands of flags waving everytime they showed President-elect Barack Obama walking through the halls of the Capitol as he made his way outside!
Some photographer shot a picture of him standing at the portal of the Capitol, almost but not quite in silhouette, waiting to be announcedwhile the Marines at the door were standing at attention saluting him.
He had a look about hiim of quiet determination and dignity. I remember thinking: Here's a man who on what should be one of the happiest days of his life is nonetheless fully aware of the pile of shi t that he's geting ready to step into.
So long as you're giving us historical numbers CNN can you tell us who had the most attendees at their inauguration?
Was it Dubya the first time he stole the presidency? Reagan?
Who?
@ robertholt
What a great idea. It was in the 'teens January 20th 2009, but it was worth it.
I am so glad I have a day off Monday. I can just sit back and enjoy watching the best president of my lifetime take the oath for the second time. I will also give thanks to God for keeping Willard, the TP and the rest of the misfits out of the Oval Office.
P.S. I hope the TP, Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, Joe Wilson and all the rest of that trash enjoy their flat beers while they plot to deny the president a third term.
God Bless America.