Smaller crowd, tight security for Obama inauguration

WASHINGTON: The crowd will be smaller, the temperature hopefully warmer and security as tight as ever when Barack Obama is sworn in for a second term in the White House on the steps of the Capitol in a week's time.

Presidential inaugurations are a big deal in Washington, never more so than four years ago when a record 1.8 million Americans personally came out to witness Obama taking office as the first black president of the United States.

This time around, next Monday, the numbers will be smaller, as they usually are for a second inauguration.

Indeed, the no-traffic zone around the Capitol, the National Mall and the White House is smaller this time around, although security will remain intense with police, soldiers and Secret Service agents thick on the ground.

Backpacks are banned at the inauguration proper and the parade route to the White House. So too are alcohol, signs, portable chairs and umbrellas.

"In terms of visitation, we are anticipating between 500,000 to 800,000 visitors, according to transportation authorities," Alicia Malone of the Destination DC tourism authority told.

Major hotels still have rooms available, even the historic Willard -- two blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue with a commanding view of the inaugural parade route.

It has been offering suites based in design on the Oval Office for $5,700 per night for a four night minimum -- or for those of more modest means, deluxe rooms for $1,149 a night.

"We are getting close to selling out," said Willard spokeswoman Barbara Bahny.

Not to be outdone, the less strategically located Ritz-Carlton has pitched an Access Washington package for two at a cool $100,000, including first-class airfare from anywhere and a chauffeured ride from the airport.

"I'm not sure it's going to be as frenzied as 2008," said college professor Tuere Anne Marshall, 61, a native Washingtonian who remembers being "carted off in blankets" to attend John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.

"But there are going to be a lot of people from out of town coming in, and I'm so excited -- it's a great kick-off for the new administration," she told at Friday's opening of the Official Inaugural Store.

The downtown boutique, and its online counterpart, offer a range of Obama memorabilia from lapel buttons and T-shirts to engraved cocktail glasses, golf balls and athletic tube socks.

Obama's first inauguration was particularly memorable for how cold it was -- it was 28 degrees Fahrenheit (minus two Celsius) with a brisk northerly wind when he took the oath of office.